Our History
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In the spring of 1855, a group of Irish immigrants settled in Pleasant Valley and established what was known to be the Hawkins settlement. These immigrants brought with them a deep faith and loyalty to the Catholic church. They had originally met in Connecticut and then again in Dane County before traveling to Pleasant Valley. The pastoral needs of the parish in Pleasant Valley were met by pastors of the Seat of St. Croix County. From Hudson, they would make monthly ministry travels by horseback and later by train. When a priest would visit, people would assemble at home, which was called a station. There, the Eucharist was offered, and other sacraments administered. The missionary would stay a short time to give religious instruction as well.
Later in 1876, the first Catholic church was built in Hammond, on the corner just north of the present parking lot. People coming to mass would tie up their horses at the horse shed, which was just north of the church.- The first rectory was built between the 1880s and 1900.
- The first recorded baptism was Francis Lauder on December 8, 1876.
- The first recorded burial, Anna Clelland, took place on March 15, 1878.
- Maria O'Brien and James Collins celebrated the first recorded marriage on March 5, 1879.
During his twelve years of service to the parish, Fr. William White (1880-1892) baptized 582 people and officiated 67 marriages. On Sunday, Nov. 6, 1882, 112 people were confirmed at Immaculate Conception.
Priests that followed included: Fr. James Nevins (1892), Fr. L.J. Fitzgerald (1892-1896), and Fr. B.P. Connolly (1896-1902). During Fr. Connolly's pastorate, the parish of St. Bridget's in Wilson was attached. On Dec. 12, 1889, the church in Hammond was incorporated as "The Catholic Congregation of St. Mary's Immaculate Conception." The parish belonged to the Diocese of La Crosse until May 3, 1905, when the Diocese of Superior was established by Pope Pius X.
Building back the church after a fire
From 1903 – 1914, Fr. H.F. Duffy was pastor of St. Mary’s Church. During this time the church moved from the north side of the old rectory to the south side. A full basement was constructed, and two coal furnaces replaced wood stoves. Fr. Patrick J. Cunningham became the pastor in 1914 and served until 1947. New side altars were donated to the parish, one in honor of the Blessed Virgin (donated by the Altar Society) and one in honor of the Sacred Heart (donated by six women of the church). In 1946, Fr. Jerome Mee came to the parish. After the church burned down on Dec. 15, 1948, Fr. Mee supervised building the new church. Services were held at the community hall during construction.
The church today
The present church was completed in 1949 and dedicated on June 22, 1950, by Bishop Albert G. Meyer. Fr. Mee served the parish for 25 years, until 1971. On Sept 28, 1971, Fr. Joseph Canfield became pastor and helped with planning the new rectory and religious education center. On July 14, 1976, Fr. Dennis Dhooge was appointed pastor. He was involved in constructing the religious education facilities and installing the new altar in the cemetery.
Fr. Gerald Harris served as temporary administrator of the parish from Sept. 3, 1979-July 22, 1980. Fr. Daniel Keelan became the pastor from 1980-1984 and was involved in restructuring the acolyte system. On June 19, 1984, Fr. George Gleason returned to the parish after service as temporary administrator for six months in 1971. Among the many accomplishments of Fr. Gleason was the construction of a rectory and social center complex, located south of the church. The dedication and blessing ceremonies were held on Apr. 6, 1986. Fr. Gleason celebrated his 40th jubilee on June 19, 1988. After the arrival of Fr. Dennis Mullen in 1988, St. Patrick's in Erin was clustered with St. Mary’s church and both parishes were served by Fr. Mullen. At this time Fr. Mullen and members began planning the renovation of the sanctuary at St. Mary’s church. On June 23, 1992, Fr. James Kraker was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Church and St. Patrick's. Fr. Kraker completed the remodeling of the sanctuary. In 1994, the parish financial and pastoral councils agreed to expand the gathering area and make other needed improvements. The project was completed in June 1996.
Joseph Paron was ordained as deacon on Nov. 21, 1992. Deacon Joe assists at Mass as well as helping out in many other areas, such as the education department. Fr. Alois Gabrus, OFM, arrived in Sept. 1999. At that time, St. Patrick's of Erin was clustered with St. Mary’s Church in New Richmond. St. Bridget's of Wilson was clustered with St. Mary’s Church in Hammond. In 2002, St. Mary’s Church welcomed Fr. William J. Murphy. At this time, St. Bridget's in Wilson, St. John's in Glenwood City and St. Mary’s Church became a parish cluster. July 2010, Fr. Murphy retired from the priesthood. St. Mary's Church welcomed back Fr. Gerald P. Harris as pastor and started a new partnership being clustered with St. Bridget's of River Falls.
Today, Fr. Joseph Stefancin and associate pastor Fr. Joseph Anil serve our parish and Deacon Dan Kohler has since been ordained, serving our church as well.ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST – GLENWOOD CITY
The first Mass in Glenwood City took place in 1886 and was celebrated at the new public school by a Capuchin friar from Mount Calvary, WI. For 11 years, a priest from Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls came once a month by railroad to serve the community. Before the end of 1886, farmers built a frame church on a hill north of the grade school. Increased immigration inot the area required church expansion. On June 10, 1895, the first confirmation service was held when Bishop James Schwebach of La Crosse visited the city. The first resident pastor, Fr. August Douven, arrived in the fall of 1900 and parishioners purchased a house in which he could live. On March 18, 1912, four and one-half acres of land were purchased for a new church. Lack of funds delayed its construction. On December 18, 1914, fire destroyed the frame church. In the spring of 1915 construction on a new church at the new location began. ; Bishop Joseph M. Koudelka dedicated it on July 4, 1918. Over the years, improvements were made on the church: a new heating system in 1936; new front steps in 1938; a new roof and a remodeled church hall in the 1940s and 1970s; a new rectory and garage in 1971; a renovation of the church interior in 1993. In 1958, a cornerstone was laid on St. John School, which was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Superior. In 1970, Bishop George A. Hammes, acting on the recommendation of the diocesan school board, closed the school. A parish religious education program was organized to meet the catechetical needs of parish youth. Today St. John the Baptist is clustered with St. Bridget Parish, Wilson, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Hammond.REFERENCE: Our Journey through Faith: A History of the Diocese of Superior,by Sam Lucero, 2005.ST. BRIDGET – WILSONThe establishment of St. Bridget of Ireland Church in the mid-1860's resulted from the persistent determination of early settlers from Irish Ridge, located north and east of the Village of Wilson. At that time, Mass was celebrated infrequently by missionary priests from Chippewa Falls, Hammond, Hudson and other surrounding areas. A permanent wooden structure was built in 1887 on the site of the present cemetery. The large white wooden cross in the cemetery marks the approximate site of this first church. The church was destroyed by fire in the winter of 1945. Mass was celebrated in the American Legion Hall until a new church was completed in 1952.During the pastorate of Fr. Joseph Canfield (1971-1976), the church interior was painted and the sanctuary remodeled. The parish kitchen and hall were remodeled during Fr. Dennis Dhooge's pastorate (1976-1979). Other remodeling took place in 1990. In 1987, St. Bridget became a mission of St. John the Baptist Church of Glenwood City and later was permanently clustered with Immaculate Conception of Hammond. The parish proudly boasts 10 religious vocations among its membership: nine sisters and one priest, Fr. Leonard Fraher.REFERENCE: Our Journey through Faith: A History of the Diocese of Superior,by Sam Lucero, 2005.