St Mary's in East DePere

1670	Father Claude Allouez founded St. Francis Xavier Mission.
1671-72	Fr. Allouez and his companion, Fr. Louis Andre, built a chapel on the east bank of the Fox River.
1687	Chapel burned during an Indian uprising.
1728	Mission closed.
1823-53	Catholics were served by itinerant priests.
1838	Ostensorium given to St. Francis Mission by Nicholas Perrot was discovered by Fr. Florimond Bonduel in Michigan.
1853	Various nationalities began to build a church. The building was directed by Fr. Florimond Bonduel, but it was destroyed by fire before it was completed. Services were held in the Reynen and Cook homes until 1864.
1847	John Diederich, his wife, Anna, and three children, Gertrude, Peter and Michael, emigrated to the United States sometime between 1843, (when Michael was born), and 1847 when they settled in the Town of Lawrence, Brown County, Wisconsin.
1864	Fr. William Verboort appointed first resident pastor of De Pere by Bishop Henni of the Diocese of Milwaukee. He built a chapel on the Lewis Street site.
*1866*	Gertrude Diederich, oldest daughter of John and Anna (Clasen) Diederich, married Philip Goetz on 3 April 1866 at St. Mary's. Fr. Verboort officiated and Jos. Diederich was a witness.
1868	The Diocese of Green Bay was created.
1868	Wilhelmina Van der Heyden's birth is recorded in the baptismal register of St. Mary's Catholic church at De Pere, p 60, for 1868, as follows: "Baptized Sept. 4th an infant born today, daughter of Joannis van der heyden and Josina Manders, married. Named Wilhelmina. Sponsors: Joannes Van der Lienden and Catherina Van den berg." It is signed by the Reverend W. A. Verboort. She married John William Diederich in 1890.
1869	Hollanders, Belgians and Germans separated from the Irish and established the Immaculate Conception Parish and built a new church. Present church is part of the original structure. The Irish gave $2,859 to build this church.
1870	Church was completed. Legend has it that Fr. Verboort cut the cornerstone and carved the figures on it himself. The bell now in the church is the original one. The church contained 114 pews of 5 seats, 3 altars, 1 main and 2 small altars. There was also a statue of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph.
*1871*	*Joseph Diederich, son of John and Anna (Clasen) Diederich, married Anna Catherine Ostermann 2 May 1871. Father W. A. Verboort presided.*
1874	John Diederich's death on 18 August was recorded in St. Mary's death register and signed by Father W. A. Verboort.
1875	Fr. Verboort left De Pere and went to the State of Oregon, Portland Diocese. Fr. William Takken became pastor.
1876	Fr. Anthony Van Grotel became pastor.
1876	Michael Diederich's death is recorded in the Liber matrimonii et Dufuctorum (marriage and death book), p. 35 at St. Mary's
1878	Membership of the parish increased to 300 families. Fr. William De Kelver was named pastor.
*1878*	Gertrude Theresia Diederich married John Pennings at St. Mary's. The Liber Matrimonii et Defunctorum (marriage and death book) of St. Mary Catholic church at De Pere contains this entry on p 238, which has been translated from the Latin: Third September 1878 marriage was initiated between John Pennings, age 25, son of Peter Pennings and Henrica van den Berg, born in Holland, and Therisiai Dideriks, age 21, born in De Pere, daughter of John Dideriks and Anna Dideriks. Present were Anton Dideriks, Maria Dideriks and me. Attested: A. Van Grotel.
1878	John William Diederich married Cecilia Van der Heyden at St. Mary's 13 June 1878 or possibly, 14 June 1875, but their marriage is not recorded in St. Mary's records. Reverend William De Kelver presided. The Brown County records provide the record of marriage and the priest's name.
*1879*	Anna (Clasen) Diederich's death in June is recorded in St. Mary's death register and signed by Father A. Van Grotel. (Apparently he was still present at St. Mary's in June 1879). Anna's name is given as "Gertrude" Diederich, the reason for this is unknown.
*1880*	Antone Diederich, son of John and Anna (Clasen) Diederich and Mary Klipstein were married 16 January 1880. The entry in the Liber matrimonii et Dufuctorum for Antone's marriage, p 242, gives his mother's name as "Gertrude Anna".
1882	Fr. John Verstegen was appointed pastor. A School was built and there were 246 pupils in the school. It was taught by 4 nuns. During this time there were four societies in the parish: St. Joseph Benevolent Society – 50 members Ladies Altar Society - 100 members Catholic Knights of Wisconsin – 50 members Young Ladies Sodality – 110 members It was during this time the church property was enlarged to the entire block as it is now.
*1887*	Cecilia (Van der Heyden) Diederich, wife of John William died 22 May 1887 after the birth of George Joseph. There is no record of her death in St. Mary's records, or in Brown County records, but she is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery next to her son George Joseph, who died in August, and her in-laws, John and Anna (Clasen) Diederich.
1890	First rectory was built.
*1890*	*John William Diederich and Wilhelmina Van der Heyden (younger sister of Cecilia) were married 15 April 1890.* The Liber Matrimonii et Defunctorum (marriage and death book) of St. Mary's Catholic church at De Pere contains this entry for 1890 on p 264, which has been translated from the Latin: "15 April joined together in matrimony Joannes Diederick and Wilhelminan van der Heiden. Witnesses were Josephus van der Heiden and Nina van der Leest." The entry was signed by the Reverend Joannes Verstegen, pastor at that time. The entry also recited that a dispensation had been granted from the impediment of a collateral relationship in the first degree which existed because of the prior marriage of John Diederich to Wilhelmina's sister.
1891	Stained glass windows installed in church, donated by Mr. And Mrs. E. Verstegen and the Young Ladies Sodality.
1892	Four more stained glass windows were installed. Three from the ladies group and one from Fr. Verstegen.
1893	Church enlarged and remodeled at a cost of $7,000.
1902	Census – 277 families of 2 or more persons. 6 widows 7 widowers 31 single not belonging to a resident family 644 males 7 years or older 629 females 7 years or older 296 children under 7 years old 1,569 Total
1903	Stained glass windows in front installed – donated by Mr. And Mrs. E. Wellens and the congregation.
1904	Fr. William Van Roosmalen came as pastor and remained until his death in December of 1925.
1906	Old rectory building moved to corner of Huron and Lewis Streets. New rectory was built which is the present building.
1912	New convent built. The nuns had been living with St. Francis nuns until this time.
1925	Fr. Francis Peters became pastor and stayed until he retired in1942. He was known to carry coins in his pocket to reward students for good grades when giving out report cards in school.
1929	Stained glass windows were repaired by Pittsburgh Art Glass Co.
1937	Parishioners were asked to donate 10 cents at each Mass in lieu of raising dues, “pew rent” to help finance the school.
1940	Christian Ladies founded – first president Mrs. George Smits.
1942	Fr. John DeVries was pastor. On January 11, 1942 fire caused $2,500 damage started in Christmas trees behind the main altar during the 9:15 Mass. It was the fire that destroyed a 60-year-old painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
1943	Fr. Cornelius Raymakers became pastor.
1946	Fr. Thomas Peters, assistant, was appointed to chaplain service in the U.S. Navy 9/7/46.
1947	Fr. Martin Vosbeek appointed pastor. Father broke his leg shortly before going to the Holy Land. He rode a white donkey during Palm Sunday precession while there.
1952	School built in 1822 razed. Present part of school on Huron Street was built.
1956	Fr. Joseph Kools became pastor.
1957	Fr. Raymond Hietpas was pastor. He organized the Cub Scouts. The Boy Scouts had been founded previously. St. Mary’s “Mighty Midget” boxers were started in school by Fr. Hietpas, while an assistant. He retired in 1977.
1959	New convent built, choir loft remodeled and organ rebuilt.
1960	A cafeteria and 8 classrooms were added to the school.
1967	Mass was said in English and altars were turned around shortly thereafter.
1968	Interior of church remodeled for 100^th year anniversary. Church carpeted for first time.
1971	Consolidation of school with St. Francis – named Notre Dame. One of the first to consolidate in the Diocese of Green Bay.
1976	During the painting of the church steeple in August of 1976, the steeplejack fell to his death. Fred Desmond was killed when the rope used to raise him to the top broke.
1977	Fr. John Vander Horst became pastor after Fr. Hietpas retired. Exterior of church sandblasted and tuckpointed. Interior of rectory was remodeled. Frank Kremer was ordained permanent deacon by Bishop Wycislo and assigned to St. Mary and St. Willebrord parishes.
1978	Fr. John Gallagher came as temporary administrator from August 9, 1978 until January 31, 1979. Rectory renovated and electrical updated.
1979	Fr. Ronald Hopfensperger was pastor.
1980	Interior of church was painted.
1982	Fr. Earl Brouchoud was pastor. New doors and fans installed in church.
1984	Fr. Frank Schrage pastor. Ventilator windows installed in church. Sr. Jeanne Jarvis came as Pastoral Associate.
1985	Rectory and church steeple painted.
1989	Fr. James Gilsoul appointed administrator for June. Later that year Fr. John Gallagher came as pastor. Church was recarpeted and new chairs were purchased for the Sanctuary. Rectory electrical updated. Windows behind altar were uncovered. Parish records were computerized.
1990	Fr. V. Anthony Dolski was administrator from October 30 to November 28. Fr. John Harper appointed administrator on November 28 and became pastor in March of 1991.
1991	Bell tower and steeple repaired and painted. Rectory boiler replaced. Portions of three stained glass windows repaired. Windows in sanctuary releaded. School boiler replaced. Began monthly Healing Mass. Sr. Kathleen Schlaefer came as Director, Health Care Ministry and Coordinator of Adult Education.
1991-92	Church renovated. Liturgical changes included Blessed Sacrament moved to side chapel, new lectern and microphone installed. Entrances to church upgraded.
1992	Church and school insulated. Parish office moved from rectory to school in October. Asbestos removed from gym floor and replaced.
1992-93	Re-roof gym and Huron Street wing of school and convent.
1994	Christ Risen statue carved by Igor Vasilijev of Lativia was unveiled at the Easter Vigil Mass. Asbestos removed and floor replaced in the Cafeteria.

Diocese of Green Bay was established by Pope Pius IX on March 3, 1868. At present it includes the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Monominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Washara, Winnebago.

Pastors:
1869 – 1875 1875 – 1876 1876 – 1881 1881 – 1882 1882 – 1904 1904 – 1925 1942 - 1943 1943 – 1947 1947 – 1956 1956 – 1957 1957 – 1977 1977 – 1978 1978 – 1979 1979 – 1982 1982 – 1984 1984 – 1989 1989 1989 – 1990 1990 1990	Fr. William Verboort Fr. William Takken Fr. Anthony Van Grotel Fr. William De Kelver Fr. John Verstegen Fr. William Van Roosmalen Fr. John De Vries Fr. Cornelius Raymakers Fr. Martin Vosbeek Fr. Joseph Kools Fr. Raymond Hietpas Fr. John Van Der Horst Fr. John Gallagher, Admin. Fr. Ronald Hopfensperger Fr. Earl Brouchoud Fr. Frank Schrage Fr. James Gilsoul, Admin. Fr. John Gallagher Fr. V. Anthony Dolski, Admin. Fr. John H. Harper

Assistants:
1925 – 1942 1926 – 1933 1933 – 1934 1934 – 1936 1936 – 1942 1942 – 1945 1945 – 1946 1946 1946 – 1951 1951 – 1955 1955 – 1957 1957 – 1963 1963 - 1964 1964 – 1966 1966 – 1968 1968 – 1970 1982 – 1984	Fr. Francis Peters Fr. Michael Fetko Fr. Samuel Engl Fr. Martin Vosbeek Fr. Raymond Hietpas (later became Pastor) Fr. R. Thomas Peeters Fr. John Johanek Fr. Jerome Watry Fr. Roy Crain Fr. Arthur Hoell Fr. Willard Van De Loo Fr. Cyril Van Heeswyk Fr. William Feeney Fr. James McInnis Fr. David Van Stralen Fr. Richard Meneau Fr. Michael Somers

Bishops:
Most Rev. Joseph Melcher Bishop Francis Xavier Krautbauer Bishop Frederick X. Katzer Bishop Sebastian G. Messmer Bishop Joseph J. Fox Bishop Paul P. Rhode Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona Bishop Aloysius J. Wycislo Bishop Adam J. Maida Bishop Robert J. Banks	1868 – 1873 1873 – 1885 1886 – 1891 1892 – 1903 1904 – 1914 1915 – 1945 1945 – 1967 1968 – 1983 1984 – 1990 1990 –
Auxiliary Bishops:
Most Rev. John B. Grellinger Most Rev. Mark F. Schmitt Most Rev. Robert F. Morneau	1949 – 1974 1970 – 1978 1979 –
Vicars General:
Very Rev. Edward Daems Very Rev. Frederick Katzer Very Rev. James O’Malley Very Rev. Norbert M. Kersten Very Rev. Joseph John Fox Monsignor Peter J. Lochman Monsignor Joseph A. Marx Monsignor Chester A. Ropella Monsignor Roy M. Klister Mosignor Paul Koszarek	1868 – 1879 1879 – 1885 1886 – 1891 1892 – 1893 1894 – 1903 1904 – 1931 1932 – 1967 1967 – 1977 1977 – 1984 1984 -