About Holy Trinity · Oconto, Wisconsin
Holy Trinity Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Oconto, Wisconsin, part of the Diocese of Green Bay. Formed in 1996 through the merger of St. Peter Parish and St. Joseph Parish, Holy Trinity's Catholic roots in Oconto reach back to 1669, when Father Claude Allouez celebrated the first Mass in the area and founded the St. Francis Xavier Mission — the first Catholic mission in northeastern Wisconsin. In 2018–2019 the parish built and dedicated a new church on the former St. Joseph site, incorporating stained glass, statues, and Stations of the Cross salvaged from both predecessor parishes. Today the parish, led by Pastoral Administrator Father Francis Reddy Nusi, describes itself as 'a Catholic Community of missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God.'
- Established
- 1669 (Catholic faith in Oconto); 1996 (parish itself, formed by merger)
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) — a name symbolic of the doctrine central to Catholic faith
- Rector
- Rev. Francis Reddy Nusi (Pastoral Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
A parishioner or visitor choosing Holy Trinity joins a community whose Catholic roots in Oconto stretch back to 1669 and Father Claude Allouez's first Mass, yet worships in a brand-new, accessible sanctuary completed in January 2019. The parish keeps Catholic faith anchored in daily life through multiple weekly Masses, regular Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, a parish-based faith formation program, Knights of Columbus service (including an annual pancake breakfast benefiting Bread by the Bay food pantry), youth activities such as a bike-ride fundraiser for 6th graders and older, and parish-wide social events like the annual auction. Whether you are looking for Sunday Mass, a place to bring your children for First Communion or Confirmation, or a small faith-sharing group like 'The Search,' Holy Trinity offers a place to belong.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Parish History
Catholic faith in Oconto is older than the city itself. Father Claude Allouez arrived by canoe on December 3, 1669 — the Feast of St. Francis Xavier — and celebrated the first Mass at a chapel of bark and boughs, founding the St. Francis Xavier Mission, the first Catholic mission in northeastern Wisconsin. Through the 19th and 20th centuries two parishes, St. Joseph and St. Peter, served the city from handsome churches including the late-1800s brick structure on Park Avenue. In 1996 the two parishes merged into one new parish named Holy Trinity — a name chosen to symbolize the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The parish moved forward together for two more decades, then in 2018 launched the most ambitious building project in its history: the construction of a brand-new, accessible church on the original St. Joseph site, completed and dedicated by Bishop David Ricken in January 2019.
- 1669 — Father Claude Allouez celebrates the first Mass in Oconto.
- St. Francis Xavier Mission becomes the first Catholic mission in northeastern Wisconsin.
- Late 1800s — the St. Joseph church on Park Avenue is built.
- 1996 — St. Peter and St. Joseph parishes merge to form Holy Trinity Parish.
- January 1996 — Holy Trinity parish formally established.
- May 11, 2018 — Bishop Ricken breaks ground for the new church.
- January 27, 2019 — Bishop Ricken dedicates the new church at 2 p.m. Mass.
The 2019 New Church Building
The new Holy Trinity Church was completed in November 2018 and dedicated January 27, 2019. Generations-old sacred art from both predecessor parishes was rescued and re-installed in the new sanctuary: stained-glass windows, statues, and the Stations of the Cross all came forward with the parishioners. The project was led by The Boldt Company, with architecture by GDG Architects and finishing work (carpet tile, ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile) by H.J. Martin and Son. Beyond beauty, the new church was designed to be welcoming, accessible to all (including those with disabilities), and energy-efficient — a parish built for the next generation.
- Architect: GDG Architects
- General contractor: The Boldt Company
- Finishes: H.J. Martin and Son
- Completion: November 2018
- Dedication: January 27, 2019, with Bishop David L. Ricken
- Built into the design: stained glass, statues, and Stations of the Cross from both St. Joseph and St. Peter churches
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Leadership
Holy Trinity is currently led by Pastoral Administrator Rev. Francis Reddy Nusi, a priest from the Diocese of Kurnool, India, who also serves as administrator of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Sobieski. Parish staff includes a bookkeeper, a faith-formation coordinator, and deacon and lay collaborators. The parish is pastorally linked with St. Maximilian Kolbe, Sobieski, and the parish has records for both its predecessor parishes, St. Joseph and St. Peter.
- Pastoral Administrator: Rev. Francis Reddy Nusi
- Deacon: Dave Westenberg (and his wife Cindy host parish programs)
- Bookkeeper: Mary Mayer
- Religious Education / Faith Formation: Mercy Bridenhagen ([email protected])
- Pastoral link: St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Sobieski
- Diocese: Diocese of Green Bay
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is a core ministry of Holy Trinity. The parish prepares children for First Holy Communion, walks teens through the Confirmation process (with an annual retreat each year), and welcomes adults through the RCIA. Religious Education is coordinated by Mercy Bridenhagen, who can be reached at [email protected]. The parish also offers small-group adult formation including 'The Search,' a video-based discussion series that meets Thursdays at the parish with a shared meal and is hosted by Deacon Dave and Cindy Westenberg.
- First Communion preparation (for 2nd graders)
- Confirmation preparation with annual retreat
- RCIA for adults
- Weekly Religious Education program for school-aged children
- 'The Search' adult faith discussion series (Thursdays with meal)
Parish Life: Knights of Columbus, Youth & Social Events
Beyond the sacraments, Holy Trinity is a community on mission together. The local Knights of Columbus council hosts the First Tuesday Mass each month and runs the annual pancake breakfast that benefits Bread by the Bay food pantry. Youth ministry includes ongoing programs and special events like the parish Youth Bike Ride fundraiser for 6th graders and older. The parish also runs an annual auction, a Veterans recognition display, and various parish-wide gatherings. The parish's stated mission is to be 'a Catholic Community of missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God.'
- Knights of Columbus — 1st Tuesday 6:30 PM Mass; annual pancake breakfast benefiting Bread by the Bay food pantry
- Annual parish auction (with raffle, social, and Veterans display)
- Youth Bike Ride fundraiser (for 6th graders and up)
- Parish Veterans recognition program
- First Communion, Confirmation, and other milestone celebrations throughout the year
Sacraments & Devotions
All seven sacraments are available to parishioners through the parish office or coordinated with neighboring parishes when needed: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (First Communion and ongoing Sunday obligation), Reconciliation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders (vocations referred to the Diocese of Green Bay Office of Vocations). In addition to weekday Masses and Sunday liturgy, the parish provides weekly Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Tue 6:00–7:00 PM and Fri 8:30–9:30 AM
- Reconciliation: Sat 3:15–3:45 PM and Fri 8:30–10:00 AM, or by appointment
- Funerals, weddings, baptisms, and anointing arranged through the parish office at (920) 835-5900
Visit, Directions & Contact
The parish office is located at 716 Madison Street, Oconto, WI 54153 (sometimes referenced as 300 Arbutus Avenue, at the corner of Park Avenue and Madison Street). The main parish phone is (920) 835-5900, the parish email is [email protected], and the Religious Education office can be reached at [email protected]. The new church building is fully ADA accessible, with on-site parking for visitors to Sunday Mass and weekday services.
- Address: 716 Madison St., Oconto, WI 54153
- Phone: (920) 835-5900
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Religious Education email: [email protected]
- Website: https://holytrinityoconto.org/
- Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant in the new (2019) church
- Parking: on-site parish lot
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joel Semberthrough dedication, January 27, 2019
Pastor at the time of the new church's groundbreaking (May 11, 2018) and dedication. Served Holy Trinity together with St. Anthony and St. Patrick parishes in Oconto.
- Rev. Francis Reddy NusiAugust 2020–present
Pastoral Administrator from the Diocese of Kurnool, India. Ordained May 17, 2005. Holds a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Rome. Also serves St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Sobieski.