About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Pulaski, Wisconsin
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Polish-American Roman Catholic parish in the Village of Pulaski, Wisconsin, founded in 1887 by Polish Franciscan friars to serve the immigrants who settled the countryside northwest of Green Bay. The parish is anchored by a striking 1931 Romanesque Revival church with twin 135-foot towers — one of the most magnificent rural churches in Wisconsin — and operates both a preschool-through-grade-6 Catholic school and a robust K-12 Faith Formation program. It is the largest of three linked parishes (with St. Stanislaus in Hofa Park and St. Casimir in Krakow) staffed by the Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe within the Diocese of Green Bay.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. William 'Bill' Rooney, O.F.M. (Temporary Administrator, following the December 19, 2025 death of Fr. James Vacco, O.F.M., who had served as pastor since 2024)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
Assumption B.V.M. offers the rare combination of a historically significant, visually stunning church and an active, multi-generational parish life rooted in Polish-American Catholic devotion. Members enjoy daily and weekend Mass in one of Wisconsin's most magnificent rural churches, a Christ-centered preschool-through-grade-6 school, a K-12 Faith Formation program, RCIA for adults, Vacation Bible School, communal rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration, all supported by a tight-knit Polish-American community that also runs an annual food-and-music 'Celebrate Pulaski' event on the Sunday nearest the August 15 feast day. The parish welcomes new parishioners warmly, partners with the Pulaski Community Food Pantry and other local charities, and remains a key landmark in the Village of Pulaski — opening its doors to thousands during the famous Pulaski Polka Days celebration each July.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 3:00 pm (and 30 minutes before each Mass, per the Diocese of Green Bay listing)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays at 9:00 am (listed in the Diocese of Green Bay 'Find a Holy Hour' directory)
Polish-American Heritage and Franciscan Tradition
Assumption B.V.M. is one of the most visible legacies of the great wave of Polish immigration that settled rural Wisconsin in the 1880s. Founded by Polish Franciscan friars in 1887 in the wake of the devastating 1886 forest fire, the parish has been served continuously by Franciscan priests for more than 135 years. The friars belong today to the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, formed in 2023 by the merger of several U.S. Franciscan provinces. Both the parish and its linked rural mission churches (St. Stanislaus in Hofa Park and St. Casimir in Krakow) proudly preserve Polish-American Catholic customs while continuing to evolve as a faith community for today's followers of Christ.
- Founded by Polish Franciscan friars in 1887
- Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe (since 2023)
- Linked parishes: St. Stanislaus (Hofa Park), St. Casimir (Krakow)
- Annual Pulaski Polka Days blessing and participation (July)
- Annual 'Celebrate Pulaski' parish festival (August)
The Church Building
The current church — the parish's third — was begun in 1923 and completed in 1931, designed by the Chicago firm Worthman and Steinbeck in a modified Romanesque Revival style enriched with Art Deco ornament. The plan centers on twin 135-foot towers and rose windows on three sides, with an ornate gabled pavilion sheltering the entrance rose window. The façade combines the white eagle of Poland and the Great Seal of the United States, signaling the congregation's dual heritage. The interior features an ornate altar canopy and stained glass windows crafted by German artisans of the Columbia Glass Company of Columbus, Ohio. With seating for 1,200, it is one of the most magnificent rural churches in Wisconsin.
- Architect: Worthman and Steinbeck of Chicago
- Builder: Bert Beauregard
- Style: Modified Romanesque Revival with Art Deco detailing
- Capacity: 1,200 worshipers
- Twin towers: 135 feet tall
- Stained glass by Columbia Glass Company (Columbus, Ohio)
- Listed in SAH Archipedia as one of Wisconsin's notable buildings
Catholic School
Assumption B.V.M. Catholic School educates children from 3-year-old preschool through Grade 6 in a Christ-centered learning environment that advances educational excellence and discipleship. The school is family-friendly and child-centered, offering programs in physical education, music, and art alongside core academics. It serves as one of the principal faith-formation anchors of the parish and welcomes non-parishioner families on a tuition basis.
- 3-year-old preschool through Grade 6
- Subjects include PE, Music, and Art
- Principal: Todd Skinkis
- Website: https://abvmeducation.org
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Beyond the parish school, Assumption B.V.M. runs a thriving Faith Formation Program that serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, including sacramental preparation and Confirmation classes. The parish also runs Vacation Bible School, hosts RCIA sessions for adults inquiring about the Catholic faith, and offers Bible study, movie nights, evangelization programs, and adult small-group faith sharing throughout the year.
- Faith Formation for Grades K–12
- Faith Formation Director: Deanne Wilinski
- Grades 1–6 Coordinator: Staci Karcz
- Grades 7–12 Coordinator: Todd Skinkis
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Vacation Bible School (June 10–14, 2025)
- Adult Bible study and evangelization programs
Parish Staff, Clergy, and Leadership
Following the December 19, 2025 death of Fr. James Vacco, O.F.M., the parish is led by Fr. William 'Bill' Rooney, O.F.M., as Temporary Administrator, with retired St. Casimir pastor Fr. James Esser, O.F.M. (ordained 1967) in residence at the Pulaski Friary. Deacon Dennis Majewski assists with sacramental ministry. Janet Maroszek serves as the long-tenured Pastoral Associate for the three linked parishes, supported by Business Managers Jean Banker and Julie Jarock and a team of parish secretaries and maintenance staff.
- Temporary Pastor: Fr. Bill Rooney, O.F.M.
- In-residence retired priest: Fr. James Esser, O.F.M.
- Deacon: Dennis Majewski
- Pastoral Associate: Janet Maroszek
- Business Managers: Jean Banker, Julie Jarock
- Parish Secretaries: Suzanne Flesch, Kathy Samson
Parish and Finance Councils
Lay leadership is exercised through Parish and Finance Councils that work with the pastor and pastoral staff to guide the mission and finances of Assumption B.V.M. and its linked parishes. Trustees, council members, and committee chairs are elected or appointed for staggered terms.
- Parish Council Chair: Carolyn Hayward
- Members at Large: Adam Schnieder, Pam Janssen, Doug Omernik
- Trustee Treasurer: Robert Gajewski (920-822-2560)
- Trustee Secretary: Timothy Grygiel (920-822-5710)
- Non-voting: Jean Banker (Business Manager), Janet Maroszek (Pastoral Associate)
Community Outreach and Charitable Partnerships
Assumption B.V.M. is deeply woven into the wider Pulaski community and beyond, supporting both local and regional charities. Outreach efforts include food pantry drives, support for homeless and pregnancy care centers, and parish-organized festivals that bring neighbors together regardless of faith.
- Pulaski Community Food Pantry partnership
- Pulaski Area Community Education partnership
- St. John's Ministries Homeless Shelter (Green Bay)
- A&A Alexandrina Center Pregnancy Care Center (Green Bay)
- Pulaski Polka Days food stands, dance halls, and parade support (July)
- Annual 'Celebrate Pulaski' festival (August, near the Feast of the Assumption)
Visiting Pulaski and the Church
The church sits prominently in the Village of Pulaski on East Pulaski Street and serves as an iconic local landmark. Visitors are welcomed at all Masses, with the Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning liturgies offering the easiest opportunity to experience the church's full Romanesque Revival interior. Historic tours of the church are periodically offered during the community's Casimir Pulaski Days each March, and the parish opens its doors to thousands during the famous Pulaski Polka Days festival in July.
- Address: 125 East Pulaski Street, Pulaski, WI 54162
- Parish Office: 124 East Pulaski Street (across the street)
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Phone (24/7 emergencies): 920-822-3279
- Casimir Pulaski Days historic tours offered each March
- Pulaski Polka Days each July (parish blessing and food stands)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. David Kobak, O.F.M.Listed as Pastor in the 2023–24 Diocese of Green Bay Directory
Pastor of the linked Assumption BVM/St. Stanislaus/St. Casimir family of parishes under the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rev. Carmen Scuderi, O.F.M.Through summer 2025
Parochial Vicar; reassigned to a parish in Illinois in 2025 and not replaced due to the declining number of available Franciscan friars
- Rev. James Vacco, O.F.M.2024 – December 19, 2025
Became pastor in June 2024; died at the age of 70 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friary in Pulaski
- Rev. William 'Bill' Rooney, O.F.M.2025 – present
Named Temporary Pastor following Fr. Vacco's death