About Gesu · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gesu Parish is a historic Jesuit Catholic parish located on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, adjacent to Marquette University. Formed in 1891 from the merger of two earlier Jesuit parishes (St. Gall's, founded 1849, and Holy Name, founded 1875), Gesu takes its name from the mother church of the Society of Jesus in Rome — the Church of the Gesù — where St. Ignatius of Loyola is buried. Today it is one of six Jesuit-sponsored ministries in Milwaukee and serves both neighborhood residents and the large Marquette student community. The parish is staffed by priests of the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus and operates as part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- The Holy Name of Jesus (Gesù) — the parish is named after the Church of the Gesù in Rome, mother church of the Jesuits where St. Ignatius of Loyola is buried
- Rector
- Fr. Michael R. Simone, S.J.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Gesu offers daily and Sunday Mass in both a beautiful Upper Church and an intimate Lower Church, plus a robust Reconciliation schedule and Ignatian spiritual direction rooted in Jesuit tradition. Members can plug into a wide range of ministries — St. Vincent de Paul home visits, the Sunday Morning Cafe for neighbors in need, Cathedral Shelter ministry, Frieden's Food Pantry, the Haiti Committee, Christian Formation for children, Youth Formation through Confirmation, liturgical ministry, and advocacy through MICAH. As a parish adjacent to Marquette University, Gesu is a living Catholic community that welcomes students, longtime neighborhood residents, and visitors into one Ignatian-inspired family.
Mass times at Gesu
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday 11:30 AM–12:00 PM (Lower Church)
- Monday–Friday 4:45 PM–5:30 PM (Lower Church)
- Or by appointment through the parish office
History of Gesu Parish
The foundation of Gesu Parish stretches back to 1849, when Bishop Martin J. Henni founded St. Gall's Church on Second and Sycamore Streets as Milwaukee's first Jesuit parish. After St. Gall's and the second Jesuit parish, Holy Name (founded 1875), both outgrew their buildings, the Jesuits planned a single new parish on newly available land at 12th and Wisconsin. Named 'Gesu' after the Jesuit mother church in Rome, it was dedicated on December 16, 1894. Marquette College was built next door in 1906–1907 and grew to surround the church. In 1994 Gesu became a separately incorporated parish of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, sponsored by the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus.
- 1849 — St. Gall's Parish founded by Bishop Henni
- 1855 — St. Gall's offered to and accepted by the Jesuits
- 1857 — St. Aloysius Academy (predecessor of Marquette University High School) opens
- 1864 — Charter for Marquette College secured
- 1875 — Holy Name Parish founded as a second Jesuit parish
- 1891 — St. Gall's and Holy Name merged to form Gesu Parish
- May 21, 1893 — Cornerstone laid in a major public ceremony
- December 16, 1894 — Gesu Church dedicated
- 1899 — Gesu Grade School opens (closes June 1968)
- 1906–1907 — Marquette College relocates next door to Gesu
- 1970 — Marquette University and Jesuit community become separate legal entities
- 1994 — Gesu incorporated as an independent parish of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Gesu's formation ministries prepare children and teens for the sacraments and walk them through the Catholic faith grounded in the Ignatian tradition. The Director of Child, Family, and Youth Formation oversees the program.
- Child & Family Christian Formation (K–8)
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Eucharist preparation
- Parents' Group
- Youth Formation (Grades 9–12), exploring the Gospel of Luke and role models of faith
- Confirmation preparation for students at least 16 years old, using Loyola Press 'Confirmed in the Spirit'
Liturgy and Music
Gesu relies on lay liturgical ministers to assist at Mass and is always recruiting new Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, and Ministers of Hospitality/Usher. A Worship Commission works with the pastor and Director of Liturgy, meeting about six times per year to shape the parish's liturgical life.
- Director of Liturgy: Paul Trzebiatowski (414-288-6308, [email protected])
- Volunteer roles: Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Assistant, Minister of Hospitality/Usher
- Worship Commission meets about six times per year
- Worship Survey used to inform liturgical planning
Service and Outreach Ministries
Gesu takes seriously its call to serve the surrounding neighborhood — particularly the area bounded roughly by 11th Street, 35th Street, Vliet Street, and St. Paul Avenue — and partners with a number of local agencies to help those who are poor or homeless.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — home visits, food, furniture, appliance vouchers; over 20 volunteer Vincentians
- Cathedral Shelter Ministry — serving homeless women and children since 1997
- Frieden's Food Pantry — non-perishable food and diapers collected each Sunday
- Gesu Sunday Morning Cafe — coffee and pastries served to neighbors in need
- Haiti Committee
- MICAH — social justice advocacy
- Health Ministry
- Gesu Green Team
- Common Ground Core Team
- JustFaith Ministries
- LGBTQ+ Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Human Concerns Commission (Director: Katie Dorner, 414-288-3119)
Spiritual Life & Ignatian Identity
As a Jesuit parish, Gesu's spiritual life is shaped by the Ignatian tradition, with particular emphasis on spiritual direction and discernment.
- Ignatian Spiritual Direction available to parishioners
- Retreats and talks on biblical and spiritual themes offered by the pastor
- JustFaith Ministries small-group faith and justice program
Staff and Leadership
Gesu is staffed by Jesuits of the USA Midwest Province and a team of lay ministers. The pastor leads the parish community, supported by directors of liturgy, formation, and human concerns.
- Pastor: Fr. Michael R. Simone, S.J. (began July 1, 2024)
- Director of Liturgy: Paul Trzebiatowski
- Director of Child, Family, and Youth Formation: Johannah Lee
- Director of Human Concerns: Katie Dorner
Recent Renovation of the Upper Church
Gesu has recently completed a major interior renovation of its historic Upper Church. The work refreshed the worship space while preserving its historic character and improving accessibility. Donations to offset costs are still being accepted through the 'Together For Gesu' campaign.
- Replaced pews and flooring
- Added ramp accessibility to the sanctuary
- New baptismal font and ambry
- Repainting throughout
- Upgraded sound system, electrical, and lighting
- Hearing coil loop installed
- Upgraded fire detection and security cameras
Getting Involved
Gesu welcomes new members and is always open to new ideas for ministry. Parishioners can sign up for the Flocknote e-newsletter by texting GESUMKE to 84576.
- Join a ministry via the Human Concerns Commission
- Volunteer as a Catechist for Christian Formation (K–12)
- Sign up for liturgical ministry (Lector, EM, Usher, Altar Server)
- Subscribe to Flocknote e-newsletter (text GESUMKE to 84576)