St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage, Wisconsin - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

The parish traces its origins back to 1833, when Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, a Dominican, arrived to work with the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Indians. By 1833 the fledgling parish already had its first church, and in 1851 a second one was built and dedicated to St. Bartholomew. In 1852 the first resident pastor arrived, Rev. James Roche. A third church was then built in 1854, and in 1857 that building and some property was sold to a local Baptist congregation, which in turn sold its holdings to the Catholics.

The congregation's new property included the foundation of a church building, which parishioners completed and dedicated to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in 1859.

In 1866, St. Mary School opened, staffed by Sinsinawa Dominicans. Racine Dominicans as well as Salvatorians are also present in the Portage Community.

By the late 1800's an influx of Irish and German immigrants arrived to dig the Portage Canal. In 1877 the Germans formed St. Francis Xavier. But by 1966, having assimilated into the community, they incorporated their parish into St. Mary. Today the congregation has grown to 1,100 family units.


St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception- Portage

Weekday Schedule
Monday, 8 am Word & Communion
Tuesday, 8 am Word & Communion
Wednesday, 7 am Mass
Thursday, 8 am Mass
Friday, 7 am Mass

Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday, 5:30 pm
Sunday, 9:30 am & 10:45 am

St. Mary Parish strives to be a welcoming community that is alive with prayer and service. Jesus challenges us to support one another, respecting our similarities and differences.

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1886 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 9:30 AM Street address of Church: 309 W. Cook St. Portage, WI USA 53901 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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