About Holy Rosary · Kewaunee, Wisconsin
Holy Rosary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Kewaunee, Wisconsin, within the Diocese of Green Bay. The parish was founded in 1853 by Bohemian and German settlers who came to work in the local sawmill, and it remains rooted in that immigrant heritage more than 170 years later. Today the parish community gathers at 521 Juneau Street for daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and it is closely tied to Holy Rosary Catholic School (4K through 8th grade) and Holy Rosary Child Care, both located on Kilbourn Street just up the hill. The parish is currently administered by Fr. George Daniel as Temporary Administrator, with Deacon Dennis Sutter assisting in ministry.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rosary (Holy Rosary)
- Rector
- Fr. George Daniel (Temporary Administrator; effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
Holy Rosary offers a full schedule of Masses throughout the week, including a Saturday vigil and a Sunday morning Mass, with daily Mass Monday through Saturday morning. Parishioners benefit from regular Confession on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a true parish-school community where 4K through 8th grade students attend Holy Rosary School and on-site child care is available. The parish welcomes everyone to get involved through ministries such as altar serving, liturgy, music and choir, hospitality, parish life, social outreach, grieving ministry, environmental art, faith-based groups, and building and grounds—making it easy to build relationships and put faith into practice.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Parish History
Holy Rosary Parish was born from the Bohemian and German Catholic settlers who arrived in Kewaunee in 1853 to work in the local sawmill. From those humble beginnings—with Mass celebrated in private homes by missionary priests—the community built its first church in 1863, opened its first school in 1871, and was officially incorporated in 1883. The parish has grown through two major church buildings, three generations of school facilities, and a continuous Catholic presence for more than 170 years.
- 1853 — Bohemian and German settlers arrive in Kewaunee
- 1856 — Father T. Swedding celebrates the first Mass and sacraments
- 1860 — Construction of the first church begins; completed in 1863
- 1864 — Construction of the first school begins; completed in 1871 under Father George Brunner
- 1872 — Two Sisters of Notre Dame arrive from Milwaukee to teach
- 1875 — Holy Rosary Society established
- 1879 — Construction of a second church begins; consecrated October 5, 1884
- 1883, Nov. 1 — Parish incorporated in the State of Wisconsin
- 1891, Sept. 8 — Two bells consecrated in the bell-tower to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart of Mary
- 1901 — Pipe organ added to the church
- 1911 — New school building erected (cost $8,995)
- 1950 — Six additional classrooms and gymnasium completed ($271,000)
- 1961 — Decision to build the present church; during construction, services were held in the gymnasium
- 1963 — School enrollment reaches 415
- 1973 — Parish Council formed; first President Clarence Bultman; lay distribution of Communion begins
- 1981, May 22 — Ordination of Dana Gallenberger as Deacon and assignment to Holy Rosary
- 1982 — Parish joins the RENEW program
- 1984 — Father Dan Dewane becomes pastor
- 1989 — Day care operation established in basement
- 1998 — Four classrooms moved from old school to church basement
- 1999, May 22 — New school dedicated
- 2005 — Father William Swichtenberg appointed pastor of linked Holy Rosary and Algoma St. Mary
- 2014 — Deacon Chuck Agnew appointed Pastoral Coordinator of the linked parishes
- 2016 — Link with St. Mary dissolved; Father Peter Stryker appointed Priest Celebrant
- 2024 — Father Andrew Kurz concludes; Msgr. James Dillenburg serves as Temporary Administrator through June 30; Father George Daniel appointed Temporary Administrator effective July 1
Mass Intentions
From the very early Church, Masses have been offered especially for the repose of the souls of those who have died, but Masses can also be offered for the living and in thanksgiving to God. Parishioners may contact the Parish Office to schedule a Mass intention. The suggested stipend is $20, an amount set by the Diocese of Green Bay.
- Suggested stipend: $20 (per Diocese of Green Bay)
- Contact the Parish Office to schedule
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Rosary is administered by Father George Daniel as Temporary Administrator, with Deacon Dennis Sutter assisting. The Parish Office, located within the school building, is staffed weekdays by Parish Secretary Miki Wessel and Bookkeeper Char Kleiman.
- Administrator: Fr. George Daniel — 920-515-1730 — [email protected]
- Deacon: Deacon Dennis Sutter — (608) 566-5426 — [email protected]
- Parish Secretary: Miki Wessel
- Bookkeeper: Char Kleiman
- Parish Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Parish Council & Boards
Lay leadership supports the spiritual and temporal life of the parish through a Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Board of Total Education, Cemetery Association, and elected Trustees. Building and Grounds, the Prayer Tree, and other volunteer groups round out the parish's organizational structure.
- Trustees: Tom Stangel (920-255-4466); Frank Salentine (920-255-2469)
- Pastoral Council: Mary Gaye Rank ([email protected])
- Finance Council: Jeff Kleiman (920-388-0108)
- Board of Total Education: Jeff Vollenweider (920-388-3565)
- Building and Grounds: Jim Walecka (920-388-4514)
- Cemetery Association: Mike Walston (920-304-0677)
- Prayer Tree: Jean Dahlke (920-255-1209); Becky Paplham (920-255-2145)
Volunteer Ministries & Get Involved
Parishioners are encouraged to share their time and talent through a wide range of ministries that cover liturgical service, hospitality, music, outreach, and care of the parish buildings and grounds. Newcomers can fill out a 'Count Me In!' sign-up sheet from the Volunteer page to join one or more opportunities.
- Altar Servers — youth ages 3rd grade through adult; assist at Mass and Holy Days
- Funeral Altar Servers — trained rotation for funeral Masses
- Stations of the Cross Altar Servers — Fridays during Lent
- Liturgy
- Music & Choir
- Hospitality
- Parish Life
- Social Outreach
- Faith Based ministries
- Grieving Ministry
- Environmental Art
- Building & Grounds
- Councils & Boards
- 'Count Me In!' sign-up sheet available on the parish Volunteer page
Holy Rosary Catholic School & Child Care
Holy Rosary Catholic School is a faith-filled learning community that empowers students in 4K through 8th grade to achieve academic excellence while building a solid faith foundation. The school operates two regular classrooms (4K and Kindergarten) and four multi-age classrooms (1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th). In 2014, under the leadership of Deacon Chuck Agnew, a commitment was made to move forward with a financially stable school; in 2018 the 4K program was expanded to a full-day program and the school began participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. On-site before- and after-school child care is available, and a day care operation in the basement dates to 1989.
- Grades served: 4K through 8th grade
- School address: 519 Kilbourn St., Kewaunee, WI 54216
- School phone: 920-388-2431
- Religion program stresses Christian values and attitudes
- On-site before- and after-school child care available
- Day care operation in basement since 1989
- Joined Wisconsin Parental Choice Program in 2018
- Full-day 4K program introduced in 2018
Contact, Location & Driving Directions
Holy Rosary Parish is located at 521 Juneau Street in Kewaunee, with the Parish Office inside Holy Rosary School on Kilbourn Street just up the hill. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Driving directions are provided from both the north/south (via Route 42) and the Green Bay approach (via Route 29).
- Address: 521 Juneau Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216
- Phone: (920) 388-2285 Ext 6
- Parish Office: in the school building
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- From N/S via Route 42: turn west on Kilbourn St. one block south of Route 29; school is three blocks up the hill on the right
- From Green Bay via Route 29: turn right onto Dodge St. one block before Route 42, then right onto Kilbourn St.; school is two blocks west on the right
Diocese of Green Bay
Holy Rosary Parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, which covers much of northeastern Wisconsin. The parish is situated in the Diocese's Vicariate VII (Peninsula). The Mass intention stipend of $20 is set at the diocesan level.
- Diocese: Diocese of Green Bay
- Vicariate: VII – Peninsula
- Diocesan Mass intention stipend: $20
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father T. Swedding1856
Missionary; celebrated first Mass and dispensed sacraments in the settlement.
- Father Maly1857
Conducted services during Advent in the home of Mathias Rock.
- Father George Brunnerby 1871
Completed the first school and composed the first faculty.
- Father "Mike" Jacowski1950s–1960s
Oversaw 1950 school addition ($271,000) and built the present church and rectory ($533,000).
- Father Dan Dewanefrom 1984
Became pastor.
- Father William Swichtenbergfrom Apr. 18, 2005
Appointed pastor of the linked parishes of Holy Rosary and Algoma St. Mary.
- Deacon Chuck Agnewfrom 2014
Pastoral Coordinator of the linked Holy Rosary and St. Mary parishes.
- Father John Beckerfrom 2014
Priest Moderator of the linked parishes.
- Father Peter Strykerfrom 2016
Appointed Priest Celebrant after Holy Rosary and St. Mary were no longer linked.
- Father Andrew Kurzconcluded Apr. 7, 2024
Administrator of Holy Rosary (also Administrator of St. Mary, Algoma).
- Msgr. James DillenburgApr. 8 – Jun. 30, 2024
Temporary Administrator.
- Father George DanielJul. 1, 2024 – Jun. 30, 2026
Temporary Administrator.