About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Richland Center, Wisconsin
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (commonly known as St. Mary's) is a Catholic parish in Richland Center, Wisconsin, founded in 1858 and part of the Diocese of La Crosse. The parish operates a parish school (preschool through 8th grade), offers Mass in English and Spanish, and is currently served by Father Nathan (Nate) Kuhn and Deacon Donald C. Tully. With about 585 families, St. Mary's is a growing parish known for its strong Catholic school and its heritage of priestly vocations — five parishioners have been ordained to the priesthood, including Cardinal Raymond Burke.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption)
- Rector
- Father Nathan (Nate) Kuhn
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a growing parish of about 585 families in Richland Center that offers a rare gift in rural Wisconsin: a parish-run Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade with over 160 students and a 2014 addition dedicated in honor of Cardinal Burke. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish (Sunday 1:00 PM), provides a full sacramental schedule including weekday Mass, Saturday Vigil, Sunday Masses, regular confession times, and Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and has a strong Religious Education program (K through Confirmation) plus an active RCIA for adults. With five parishioners having gone on to priestly ordination — including Cardinal Burke himself — the parish has an uncommon vocation culture, and current pastor Fr. Nate Kuhn has called the community to be a place where all are invited to meet Jesus.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM
- Sunday 7:45 AM
- Sunday 9:30 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays following the 8:15 AM Mass (Holy Hour)
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (per Diocese of La Crosse listing)
Parish History & Heritage
St. Mary Parish traces its roots to 1858, when the first Mass was celebrated in the home of Patrick Meehan. From 1858 to 1866 the faithful gathered for Mass in private homes; the parish's first church was then built on land that is today St. Mary Cemetery. In 1866 the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was consecrated at the corner of Fifth Street and Central Avenue — the site of the present school — with Fr. John C. McAteer as the first pastor. The present church at Fourth and Main Streets was consecrated in 1953, with Fr. Owen Mitchell celebrating the inaugural Mass on Holy Thursday; he went on to pastor the parish for 26 years.
- 1858: Parish founded; first Mass in the home of Patrick Meehan.
- 1858–1866: Masses celebrated in private homes.
- 1866: First Assumption church consecrated at Fifth & Central; Fr. John C. McAteer appointed pastor.
- 1903: First rectory built.
- 1927: First parish school built.
- 1951: 17-room convent constructed for the Benedictine nuns.
- 1953: Present church consecrated; Fr. Owen Mitchell celebrates first Mass on Holy Thursday.
- 1960: Present rectory constructed.
- 1971: Present school building constructed.
- 1980: Benedictine nuns conclude their service to the parish and school.
- 2014: School addition (4 classrooms + preschool) dedicated in honor of Cardinal Raymond Burke.
- Five parishioners ordained priests: Cardinal Raymond Burke, Fr. Francis Hillesheim, Fr. Eric Berns, Fr. Donald J. Heiar, Fr. Vincent Brewer.
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Mary's is currently served by Father Nathan (Nate) Kuhn as pastor and Deacon Donald C. Tully. Fr. Kuhn, who was raised in Neillsville, WI, was ordained in 2014 and most recently served as Diocesan Director of Vocations for the Diocese of La Crosse before being assigned to Richland Center. The parish also benefits from a Coordinator of Religious Education, an Administrative Assistant, a Parish/School Custodian, and a school Principal.
- Fr. Nathan (Nate) Kuhn — Pastor ([email protected]; 608-647-2621)
- Deacon Donald C. Tully ([email protected]; 608-475-0304)
- Lindsay Perna — Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE)
- Cheryl Blankenship — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- James Ueeck — Custodian, Parish & School ([email protected])
- Stacia Kohlstedt — Principal, St. Mary School ([email protected]; 608-647-2422)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation program at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary exists 'to teach the faith, to preach the gospel, and to live as Christ lived.' All are invited to meet Jesus, and the parish strives to provide a Jesus-centered, uplifting, encouraging, and service-oriented environment for its members.
- Mission: To TEACH the faith, To PREACH the gospel, To LIVE as Christ lived.
- Religious Education classes meet Sunday mornings 9:10–10:20 AM at St. Mary School.
- Sacramental preparation: First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion in 2nd Grade; Confirmation in spring of 10th Grade.
- Catechists include Jacob Zorea (Grades 5 & 6), Nancy Kraemer (K & Grade 1), Aharon Zorea (Grade 9), Jane Bosworth (Grade 2), Andrew Wright (Grade 10), Mary Schmidt (Grades 3 & 4).
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Lindsay Perna.
Adult Formation & RCIA
Anyone interested in learning about the Catholic Church, deepening their knowledge of the faith, or becoming Catholic is invited to inquire about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The program welcomes inquirers, currently practicing Catholics seeking deeper formation, and Catholics who have wandered and wish to return.
- RCIA is a spiritual journey shaped by the Holy Spirit, periods of inquiry, and the free cooperation of each individual.
- Initiation typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
- Contact: parish office at (608) 647-2621.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments, with Reconciliation offered before every weekend Mass. Sacramental preparation is integrated into the Religious Education program, and adult initiation is handled through the RCIA process.
- Baptism — by appointment with the parish office.
- Reconciliation (Penance) — Saturday 4:30 PM, Sunday 7:45 AM & 9:30 AM.
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion — 2nd Grade.
- Confirmation — Spring of 10th Grade.
- Marriage — by appointment with the parish office.
- Anointing of the Sick — by request.
Parish Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (including bringing Communion to the homebound), altar servers, and ushers. Training for liturgical ministries is arranged through Deacon Tully and the parish office.
- Lectors (Readers) — proclaim the Word of God at Mass; contact the parish office.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) — assist the priest with distribution of the Eucharist at Mass.
- EMHC for the Homebound — bring Communion to parishioners who cannot attend Mass.
- Altar Servers — assist at the altar during Mass; contact Deacon Tully for training.
- Ushers — greet and assist parishioners at Mass.
- Ministry scheduling handled online through the parish's ministry scheduler.
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School
St. Mary School is a Catholic elementary school serving preschool through eighth grade, grounded in faith, committed to academic excellence, and dedicated to service to others and the community. The school has provided Catholic education on the parish campus since 1927 and currently enrolls more than 160 students. A major addition completed in 2014 added four classrooms and a preschool, and was dedicated in honor of Cardinal Raymond Burke.
- Founded as a parish school in 1927; present school building constructed in 1971.
- Enrollment: over 160 students (preschool through Grade 8).
- Mission: Catholic, virtue-based education in a Christ-centered environment focused on academics, worship, and service.
- 2014 addition: four classrooms + preschool, dedicated in honor of Cardinal Raymond Burke.
- School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin (non-discrimination policy on file).
- Principal: Stacia Kohlstedt — (608) 647-2422.
Visit, Contact & Location
The parish offices are located at the church address at 160 W. 4th Street, with the school and parish offices nearby at 155 W. 5th Street. Visitors and parishioners are welcomed by the parish staff, and the parish can be reached by phone or email during regular office hours.
- Church & Parish Office: 160 W. 4th Street, Richland Center, WI 53581 — (608) 647-2621.
- School: 155 W. 5th Street, Richland Center, WI 53581 — (608) 647-2422.
- Pastoral email: [email protected].
- Deacon email: [email protected].
- Office email: [email protected].
- Fax: (608) 647-6029.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John C. McAteer1866 (first pastor at original Assumption church)
Appointed pastor at the 1866 consecration of the Assumption church at Fifth Street and Central Avenue.
- Fr. Owen Mitchell
Celebrated the first Mass in the present church on Holy Thursday (1953); served the parish for 26 years.