St. Mary's

 

St. Mary's Catholic Church has helped define Menasha's skyline for well over 125 years.  In 1867, the German-speaking Catholics of Menasha separated from St. Charles Borromeo  (now St. Patrick's) and organized a parish of their own- St. Mary’s.  On Ash Wednesday, 1883, fire destroyed the first St. Mary church, devastating the parish.  But somehow, within three days, their pastor rallied his parishioners to provide $14,000 towards a new church, and in November of the same year, a new church was dedicated.  This church is a classic example of German Gothic architecture.  It seats 1000 and its spire rises to nearly 200 feet.  St. Mary's was the first and only Catholic school in the Diocese of Green Bay when it was built in 1868.  In 1928, a Catholic high school was built that serves the Twin Cities to this day.