News

New book chronicles history of Darboy parish

After two years of researching, writing and collecting old photos, four Darboy area women have published a history of Holy Angels Parish and the Darboy community.

The 480-page hardcover book includes stories from some 250 families and more than 600 photos covering the years 1850 to 2000. The authors are Celine Romenesko, Margaret Killa, Kris Van Roy and Joyce Wittmann. Print Source Plus, Appleton, printed 1,900 copies.

It is the second parish history on which Romenesko and Wittmann have worked. The first was written for Holy Angels' 125th anniversary in 1975.

Romensko said the new book had been nominated for awards from the Outagamie County Historical Society and the State Historical Society.

The women began the history two years ago, after the parish's 150th anniversary. Their goal was to include family histories, which the first book did not, in a 200-page publication with 200 illustrations.

They contacted Darboy families through word of mouth, phone calls and articles in parish bulletins and newsletters. They used Little Chute and Town of Buchanan histories for inspiration.

Wittmann interviewed people and wrote their stories. Van Roy designed the book, especially its sepia-colored cover. Killa typed the contents. Romensko spent hours on the phone locating material and reminding contributors of upcoming deadlines.

The history, made available to the public at the end of September, is divided into four sections: parish, school, community and families. There are special sections for maps, listings of all persons buried in Holy Angels cemetery and all but eight graduation pictures from Holy Angels School from 1925 to 2000.

Romensko says the story of the parish is the story of Darboy. That's why the book's title is The History of Holy Angels and the Darboy Community, she said.

"Holy Angels is kind of the stem. From there we blossomed out," she said.

She says now is the right time for the book's release because Darboy, which is made up of two townships -- Buchanan and Harrison -- and two counties -- Outagamie and Calumet, is changing.

But is also a community that is together. The research showed the women how much the residents love Darboy.

"I know it was here," Romenesko continued, "but I didn't know it was as strong as it was."

The book is available at Holy Angels School and the Buchanan and Harrison town halls and from the four authors. They are asking for a donation of $25 per copy.

The book will also be available after Masses the last weekend in November and the first weekend in December.

Romenesko said she dreams of building or housing a Darboy museum somewhere on the Holy Angels grounds. She wants to see the church preserved as a historic landmark.