About Diocese of Green Bay
The Diocese of Green Bay (Latin: Diocesis Sinus Viridis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in northeastern Wisconsin, erected on March 3, 1868 by Pope Pius IX. A suffragan of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, it serves roughly 256,000 Catholics across 16 counties, anchored by the Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier in Green Bay. The diocese is the spiritual home of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion — the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the United States — and is currently led by its 12th bishop, David L. Ricken.
- Bishop
- David L. Ricken
- Established
- 1868
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Territory
- 16 counties of northeastern Wisconsin: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee (note: diocese lists only 15 counties per Catholic-Hierarchy — Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago — for a total of 16; the diocese's own Contact page lists Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago)
- Parishes
- over 150 parishes
- Province
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee (Ecclesiastical Province of Milwaukee)
History of the Diocese of Green Bay
Catholic life in northeastern Wisconsin begins with Jean Nicolet's 1634 landing at Green Bay and Jesuit missionary Claude Allouez's 1669 Mass near Oconto — the feast of St. Francis Xavier, which gives the cathedral and the diocesan patron their name. After the original mission at De Pere was destroyed in 1687, the faith survived nearly a century among Native Americans and French-Canadian voyageurs. The 1825 log chapel at Fort Howard and the 1831 founding of St. John the Evangelist (the oldest continuous parish in Wisconsin) revived organized Catholicism. When Pope Pius IX erected the diocese on March 3, 1868, he entrusted 40,000 Catholics across 15,378 square miles to Bishop Joseph Melcher. Since then, twelve bishops (including two future cardinals — Messmer and Maida) have led the diocese, building the cathedral, schools, hospitals and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. The diocese celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2018.
- 1634 — Jean Nicolet lands at Green Bay
- 1669 — Fr. Claude Allouez celebrates the first recorded Mass near Oconto (Dec. 3)
- 1825 — Log chapel of St. Francis Xavier built at Fort Howard
- 1831 — St. John the Evangelist Parish founded (oldest in Wisconsin)
- March 3, 1868 — Diocese erected by Pope Pius IX
- 1905 — Territory lost to Diocese of Superior
- 1945 — Territory lost to Diocese of Madison
- 2010 — Champion apparitions approved 'worthy of belief' by Bishop Ricken
- 2016 — Champion designated a National Shrine by the USCCB
Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier
The mother church of the diocese is the Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier in Green Bay, a Romanesque-style church modeled on Munich's Ludwigskirche. Its cornerstone was laid in 1876 by Bishop Francis X. Krautbauer and the church was consecrated on November 20, 1881. The cost of $35,000 was met by local immigrants, the Bavarian Mission Society, and a personal donation from King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Twin towers were added in 1904 and a three-story sacristy in 1918; the interior was remodeled in 1959 and the sanctuary again in 2006, with the present altar carved of white Carrara marble and housing relics of St. Boniface, St. Timothy, St. Tiburtius and St. Francis Xavier. A $2.4 million restoration closed and reopened the cathedral in 2017. The adjacent Cathedral Center (opened 2004) hosts the diocesan museum, with artifacts and records of all twelve bishops.
- Architecture: Romanesque, modeled on Munich's Ludwigskirche
- Consecrated: November 20, 1881
- 1904 — twin tower belfries added
- 1959 — three enclosed entrances and interior remodel
- 2004 — Cathedral Center & Diocesan Museum opens
- 2006 — sanctuary renovation (Carrara marble altar)
- 2017 — $2.4 million restoration closes and reopens cathedral
National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
Located at 4047 Chapel Drive in Champion, about 16 miles northeast of downtown Green Bay, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion stands on the site where Adele Brise reported seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary in October 1859. On December 8, 2010, Bishop David L. Ricken formally declared the apparitions 'worthy of belief' — making Champion the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the United States. In 2016 the USCCB designated the shrine a national shrine, and in 2023 it was renamed 'Our Lady of Champion.' On January 30, 2026, Bishop Ricken opened the cause for canonization of Adele Brise, declaring her a Servant of God. The chapel famously survived the Peshtigo Fire of October 8, 1871 after Adele Brice led a procession petitioning Mary's protection.
- 1859 — Apparitions to Adele Brise (Oct. 9 and subsequent visits)
- 1861 — Wooden chapel built by Lambert Brice
- 1880 — Brick chapel dedicated by Bishop Krautbauer
- 1942 — Current Tudor Gothic chapel dedicated by Bishop Rhode
- Oct. 8, 1871 — Chapel spared during the Peshtigo Fire
- Dec. 8, 2010 — Apparitions approved 'worthy of belief' by Bishop Ricken
- Aug. 15, 2016 — Designated National Shrine by USCCB
- Apr. 20, 2023 — Renamed Our Lady of Champion
- Jan. 30, 2026 — Cause opened for canonization of Adele Brise (Servant of God)
Bishops of Green Bay
Twelve bishops have led the diocese since 1868. Bishop David L. Ricken — the 12th — was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on July 9, 2008 from the Diocese of Cheyenne. The Office of the Bishop supports his ministry of teaching, sanctifying and governing; he issues pastoral letters, leads monthly intercessions, and welcomes requests for meetings and events. Two of his predecessors — Sebastian G. Messmer and Adam Maida — were later elevated to cardinal.
- Joseph Melcher (1868–1873) — first bishop
- Francis Xavier Krautbauer (1875–1885) — built the cathedral
- Frederick F.X. Katzer (1886–1891) — beat the Bennett Law
- Sebastian G. Messmer (1891–1903) — later cardinal
- Joseph John Fox (1904–1914) — first native-son bishop
- Paul Peter Rhode (1915–1945) — long-tenured builder
- Stanislaus Vincent Bona (1945–1967) — opened Sacred Heart Seminary
- Aloysius John Wycisło (1968–1983) — Vatican II implementation
- Adam Maida (1984–1990) — later cardinal
- Robert Joseph Banks (1990–2003)
- David Zubik (2003–2007) — later Bishop of Pittsburgh
- David L. Ricken (2008–present) — 12th bishop
Clergy, Vocations & Religious Life
The diocese supports priestly, diaconate, Hispanic, religious and missionary-vocations discernment through its Office of Missionary Discipleship and the Missionary Leadership Institute (MLI). Camp Tekakwitha, a youth and family camp near Shawano, is among the diocese's signature youth-formation programs, along with Love Begins Here summer mission trips. Religious communities historically serving the diocese include the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity (founded 1869) and the Norbertines (Premonstratensians) of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, who staff parishes such as St. Willebrord in Green Bay.
- Priesthood and Diaconate vocations
- Religious Vocations office
- Hispanic Ministry (Sr. Martha Escobar, director)
- Missionary Leadership Institute (MLI)
- Camp Tekakwitha (Shawano area)
- Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity (founded 1869)
- Norbertine Fathers of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere
Evangelization & Discipleship
Under Bishop Ricken, the diocese launched Disciples on the Way in 2014 as its new-evangelization framework, organized around four movements: Discover Jesus, Follow Jesus, Worship Jesus, and Share Jesus. The Evangelization & Discipleship Mission Team supports parishes with resources for parish-based OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), youth evangelization, young adult ministry, Hispanic ministry, and lay leader formation, with directors leading each area.
- Office of Missionary Discipleship (Julianne Stanz, director)
- Office of Evangelization, Youth & Young Adults
- Office of Lay Leader Formation (Jamie Whalen, director)
- Office of Hispanic Ministry
- Catholic Campus Ministry at UW-Green Bay
- Newman Center at UW-Oshkosh
- Reclaiming Sunday initiative
Catholic Schools
Catholic schools are central to the diocese's mission. More than 60 schools educate students in a faith-centered environment rooted in discipleship and academic excellence; all are accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation (WRISA) or AdvancED. The Diocese's Foundational Catechetical Certification and Discipleship strand (drawn from Bishop Ricken's 2014 pastoral vision) shape curriculum across the system. The GRACE system (Green Bay Area Catholic Education) coordinates Catholic schools in the greater Green Bay area, while parishes throughout the 16 counties operate elementary schools and several high schools.
- Office of Catholic Schools: Dr. Becky Walker, Superintendent
- More than 60 Catholic schools across the diocese
- WRISA / AdvancED accreditation system-wide
- GRACE system schools (Green Bay area)
- All Saints Catholic School, Antigo (example parish school)
- St. John Paul II Classical School (Green Bay)
Marriage & Family Life
The Office of Marriage and Family Life prepares couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony, supports family-life ministries, and provides healing programs for families. It also coordinates natural family planning resources and parish-based marriage enrichment.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious-education offices in every parish operate K-12 faith formation programs. The Diocesan Office of Missionary Discipleship provides curricula and training for Director of Religious Education / Coordinator of Religious Education (DRE/CRE) staff, OCIA catechumenate teams, and small-group leaders. To 'become Catholic' the diocese runs the parish-based OCIA process in cooperation with the Office of Evangelization, Youth & Young Adults.
Mass, Sacraments & Worship
The diocese's 'Find a Mass or Parish' tool links every parish's Mass schedule, confession times and adoration offerings. The Divine Worship and Sacraments office supports liturgical formation across the diocese and offers resources for the celebration of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick (and Mass for the Sick and Homebound), and First Communion/Confirmation. Cathedral Masses are celebrated daily at St. Francis Xavier, and confession is available at parishes throughout the 8 vicariates. Reclaiming Sunday encourages Sunday Mass attendance and the practice of keeping the Lord's Day holy.
- Find a Mass or Parish directory on gbdioc.org
- Daily Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
- Parish-based confession and adoration schedules
- Anointing of the Sick and Mass for the Sick/Homebound
- Reclaiming Sunday initiative
Catholic Charities & Outreach
The diocese carries out works of mercy through Catholic Charities, parish outreach, and institutions including the Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), which operates HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. Bishop Wycisło's tenure notably expanded refugee resettlement and outreach to marginalized communities, and the diocese continues ministries of charity, social justice and respect-life work.
Archives & Genealogy Research
The Diocesan Archives in Green Bay preserve sacramental records from 1831 onward and historical records of every parish and institution. Researchers can request baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial records for genealogy. The Cathedral Museum (open Sundays after the 9 a.m. Mass until 11 a.m., or by appointment at 920-432-4348) hosts interactive exhibits on the development of the diocese from 1868 to the present, with vestments, relics and artifacts of all twelve bishops.
Contact & Offices
The diocesan chancery is at 1825 Riverside Drive, Green Bay, WI 54305 (mail: P.O. Box 23825, Green Bay, WI 54305-3825). Main phone: (920) 272-8180. Major offices include the Office of the Bishop, Office of Catholic Schools (920-272-8273), Office of Missionary Discipleship (920-272-8307), Office of Hispanic Ministry (920-272-8331), Office of Lay Leader Formation (920-272-8268), and Office of Evangelization, Youth & Young Adults (920-272-8229). Email contacts use the @gbdioc.org domain.
- Chancery: 1825 Riverside Drive, Green Bay, WI 54305-3825
- Phone: (920) 272-8180
- Website: https://www.gbdioc.org
