News

Whitelaw honors 100-year-old church

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

WHITELAW -- As part of a year-long celebration of its church building, St. Michael the Archangel Parish will observe the feast of its patron this weekend.

The day will begin with a 9 a.m. prayer service on Saturday, Sept. 29, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until the 6 p.m. Mass.

On Sunday, Benediction will follow the 7:30 a.m. Mass with exposition until the 11 a.m. Mass, during which the confirmation candidates will be introduced. A parish dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the nearby Gills Bar and Grill.

The present St. Michael Church, located in southwest Manitowoc County, was dedicated on Jan. 23, 1908.

According to Mary Zipperer, parish secretary, and Kenneth Brunner, parish council president, it was the second church on that site. The first and smaller church was moved back toward the parish cemetery, Brunner said. The present church "was built of stone and of light gray, pressed brick with beautiful carved stone ornaments" for $26,000, Brunner said.

The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1907.

At that time, Zipperer said, the parish had 102 families. Many were farmers of German descent.

The first church eventually was attached to a neighboring hotel, which is now Gills Bar and Grill.

The year-long centennial celebration began on Jan. 23 with a Mass. Another Mass and commemoration of the cornerstone laying was held on July 8. The anniversary year will conclude with a Mass on Jan. 23, 2008.

Zipperer said the St. Michael's centennial committee plans to compile a booklet with a history and photographs of the church.

St. Michael Parish was established in October, 1872, as a mission of St. Mary Parish, Clarks Mills, with which it is now linked. Fr. David Zimmerman is pastor.