About Immaculate Conception · New Richmond, Wisconsin
Immaculate Conception Church is a Roman Catholic parish in New Richmond, Wisconsin, part of the Diocese of Superior. It is clustered with neighboring St. Patrick Church under the shared pastoral vision of the ICSP Catholic Communities, led by Fr. John Anderson. The parish traces its formal beginnings to 1872, was incorporated in 1883, and its current (fourth) church building was dedicated in 1967. Immaculate Conception maintains a strong Catholic school tradition through St. Mary School (est. 1891), offers daily and weekend Masses, sacramental preparation, faith formation for all ages, Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide array of parish ministries. The parish serves New Richmond and the surrounding community, including Erin Prairie.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father John Anderson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Superior
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers the fullness of Catholic parish life in a tight-knit, family-oriented community: weekend and daily Masses, Saturday confessions, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust Catholic Formation program for children, youth, and adults (including OCIA / RCIA). The parish is closely tied to St. Mary School, the longest-running Catholic school in the area (since 1891), and shares ministry with neighboring St. Patrick Church under the ICSP Catholic Communities. With dozens of active ministries — Knights of Columbus, Altar Society legacy, OCIA, youth mission trips, choirs, prayer lines, Respect Life, marriage enrichment, and more — there is a clear path for any parishioner to grow in faith, serve neighbors, and belong.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00–4:45 PM at Immaculate Conception Church
- By appointment
Adoration times
- 1st Fridays of the month at Immaculate Conception Church (e.g. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
- 3rd Thursdays of the month at St. Patrick Church (overnight into Friday)
- 3rd Wednesday Evenings with Catholic Formation at Immaculate Conception Church
Welcome & Identity
Immaculate Conception is one of two parishes that make up the ICSP Catholic Communities in New Richmond, Wisconsin, clustered with St. Patrick Church under a single pastoral vision. The parish's official welcome invites visitors to read a personal note from Father John Anderson and to join weekend Masses (livestreamed), daily Masses, faith formation, and the many ministries that serve New Richmond and Erin Prairie. The church is located at 151 S. Washington Avenue.
- ICSP Catholic Communities — shared ministry with St. Patrick
- Pastor: Father John Anderson
- 151 S. Washington Ave, New Richmond, WI 54017
- (715) 246-4652 · [email protected]
Parish History & Heritage
Catholic life in New Richmond began with missionary priests visiting scattered Irish-immigrant Catholic families in the mid-19th century. Regular Sunday services began in 1872 in Washington Hall above Deneen's General Store on South Knowles Avenue. The parish was incorporated in 1883, lost its first church to fire, rebuilt by Christmas 1889, opened St. Mary's School in 1891, and suffered a second basement fire in January 1892. A third church served the parish until 1965, when it was razed; the current (fourth) church was first used on December 8, 1966 and dedicated June 11, 1967.
- 1872 — Regular Masses begin in Washington Hall above Deneen's General Store
- 1880 — Land purchased for first church
- Summer 1883 — Parish officially incorporated; first church destroyed by fire during construction
- 1883 — Fr. Peter DeParadis acquires land from Alexander Russell
- Christmas 1889 — Mass celebrated in rebuilt church
- 1891 — St. Mary's School opens
- January 24, 1892 — Second church largely destroyed by basement fire; rebuilt by fall 1892
- 1896 — First records of the Altar Society
- 1899 — Church withstands the 'Cyclone' of 1899
- 1965 — Third church razed; services move to St. Mary's School gym
- December 8, 1966 — First Mass in current (fourth) church
- June 11, 1967 — Formal dedication
- 1970 — Thunderstorm destroys rectory
- 1971 — Baptisms begin to be celebrated during Mass
- 1977 — Knights of Columbus and families remodel convent
- 1981 — Church mortgage burned
- 2003 — Immaculate Conception Education Center dedicated
- 2006 — Capital Campaign launched to reduce $1.3M debt
Pastoral Lineage
The parish website publishes a complete pastoral lineage running from 1879 to the present — 15 pastors in all. Father John Anderson, the current pastor, has served since 2015 and is also pastor of clustered St. Patrick Church.
- Fr. Peter DeParadis (1879–1884)
- Fr. E.M. Sturm (1884–1885)
- Fr. Walter Fardy (1885–1894)
- Fr. William Degnan, D.D. (1894–1902)
- Fr. Michael E. Boyce (1902–1914)
- Fr. Hugh Duffy (1914–1927)
- Fr. Patrick O'Mahoney (1927–1956)
- Fr. Austin Corrigan (1957–1970)
- Fr. Vincent Walkowski (1970–1976)
- Fr. James Horath (1976–1977)
- Fr. Daniel Dahlberg (1977–1984)
- Fr. Charles Murphy (1984–1996)
- Fr. Allan Bradley (1996–2004)
- Fr. James Brinkman (2004–2015)
- Fr. John Anderson (2015–present)
Church Building & Architecture
The current church building is a Contemporary / Brutalist style brick structure completed in 1966, designed to seat a larger congregation than the previous (third) church which could only hold about 500 people. It was renovated in 1990 with a small brick office addition at the rear. The building sits adjacent to St. Mary School and the Immaculate Conception Education Center, with the historic Catholic cemetery established in the 1880s located behind the church and school to the west.
- Style: Contemporary / Brutalist
- Exterior: Brick
- Built: 1966 (first Mass Dec. 8, 1966; dedicated June 11, 1967)
- Renovated: 1990 (rear brick office addition)
- Historic Catholic Cemetery: established 1880s; expanded 1957
Catholic Formation & Religious Education
Catholic Formation at ICSP Catholic Communities serves all ages — children, youth, and adults — through catechesis, faith experiences, sacramental preparation, mission trips, and special events. Children's Ministry covers Pre-K through 5th grade (Vacation Bible School, Totus Tuus, Children's Liturgy of the Word, First Reconciliation and First Communion). Youth Ministry covers middle and high school (Catholic Heart Workcamp mission trip, Extreme Faith Camp, Totus Tuus, high school discipleship weekends). Adult Ministry includes study groups, moms' and dads' groups, and mission trips. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA) welcomes adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation.
- Children's Ministry (Pre-K–5th grade)
- Youth Ministry (middle & high school)
- Adult Ministry (study groups, moms'/dads' groups, mission trips)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Baptism Team — 2-hour class for parents
- Respect Life Committee
- Catholic Formation Dinner Committee
- Catholic Formation Committee (advisory)
- First Reconciliation prep: 2nd grade, family-based, celebrated in December
- Contact: Kristin Dittman (Children's Formation, ext. 260)
St. Mary School
St. Mary School has provided Catholic education to the New Richmond community since 1891. The school currently offers Preschool, Pre-K, Wrap-Around Child Care, and Grades K–8, along with Before- and After-School Care programs. It is housed today in the Immaculate Conception Education Center (dedicated 2003). A weekly children's liturgy is held on Wednesdays at 1:30 PM.
- Established: 1891
- Programs: Preschool, Pre-K, Wrap-Around Child Care, K–8
- Before- and After-School Care
- Weekly Children's Liturgy: Wednesdays at 1:30 PM
- First graduating class: 1894
Sacraments
Immaculate Conception prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Church. Baptism is celebrated during Mass (a parish practice begun in 1971) and is preceded by a 2-hour parent class. First Reconciliation is a family-based program for 2nd graders, celebrated in December; First Communion follows. OCIA welcomes unbaptized adults and those seeking full initiation. Couples seeking marriage are invited to contact the parish office and the Wedding Coordinator ministry. The parish supports vocations discernment by referral to the Diocese of Superior Office of Vocations.
- Baptism — celebrated during Mass; parent class required
- First Reconciliation (2nd grade, December)
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage / Wedding Coordinator ministry
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations (Diocese of Superior Office of Vocations)
- OCIA and Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Immaculate Conception has a deep bench of ministries organized through the Council of Ministries. Parish ministries include Finance Council, Stewardship, Evangelization, Knights of Columbus, and St. Mary School. Worship and spiritual life ministries include Adult Choir, Cantors, Musicians, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Sacristans, Lay Presiders, Liturgical Decoration, Seven Sisters Apostolate, Fasting Brothers Apostolate, and Audio/Video teams. Social and outreach ministries include Sunday Social, Funeral Dinners, Prayer Blanket Ministry, I.C. Prayer Line, and Card Ministry.
- Council of Ministries, Finance Council, Stewardship Ministry
- Evangelization Ministry (Evangelization Steering Committee)
- Knights of Columbus — www.newrichmondkc.com
- Children's, Youth, and Adult Ministry
- OCIA, Baptism Team, Respect Life Committee
- Reignite Men's Group, In Christ Women's Group, Marriage In Christ
- Choir, Cantors, Musicians, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Readers
- Seven Sisters Apostolate, Fasting Brothers Apostolate
- Prayer Blanket Ministry, I.C. Prayer Line, Card Ministry
- Office Volunteers: Information Center, Money Counting, Receptionist
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish nurtures devotion through the Pre-Liturgy Rosary before weekend Masses, First Friday Communion Calls to the homebound, the Seven Sisters Apostolate (an hour of adoration for vocations), the Fasting Brothers Apostolate, the I.C. Prayer Line, the Card Ministry, and the Prayer Blanket Ministry.
- Pre-Liturgy Rosary
- First Friday Communion Calls
- Seven Sisters Apostolate
- Fasting Brothers Apostolate
- I.C. Prayer Line
- Card Ministry
- Prayer Blanket Ministry
Parish Staff & Contacts
The ICSP Catholic Communities staff includes clergy, a business office, and a Catholic Formation team. Father John Anderson serves as pastor. Two deacons assist: Deacon Mike Germain and Deacon Mel Riel. The Catholic Formation team includes Arlene Tenner (Interim Director of Catholic Formation), Kristin Dittman (Children's 3y–5th Grade Formation Coordinator), Trevor Swanson (Middle School Formation Coordinator), and Karen LaBossiere (High School Formation and Youth Discipleship Coordinator). Business office staff include Jessica Jackson (Business and Development Manager), Jenifer Frank (Finance Manager), Amy Link (Accounting Assistant), and Rita Riley (Parish Secretary). Sharon Casey is Office Assistant; Chris Sobottka handles Buildings & Grounds; Julia Lammert handles Communications & Graphic Design; Rob Lammert is Webmaster & Process Coordinator.
- Father John Anderson — Pastor (ext. 226 / Rectory ext. 264)
- Deacon Mike Germain
- Deacon Mel Riel
- Arlene Tenner — Interim Director of Catholic Formation (ext. 228)
- Kristin Dittman — Children's 3y–5th Grade Formation Coordinator (ext. 260)
- Trevor Swanson — Middle School Formation Coordinator (ext. 233)
- Karen LaBossiere — High School Formation and Youth Discipleship Coordinator (ext. 247)
- Jessica Jackson — Business and Development Manager (ext. 225)
- Jenifer Frank — Finance Manager (ext. 224)
- Amy Link — Accounting Assistant (ext. 232)
- Rita Riley — Parish Secretary (ext. 221, [email protected])
- Sharon Casey — Office Assistant (ext. 222)
- Chris Sobottka — Buildings & Grounds (ext. 223)
- Julia Lammert — Communications & Graphic Design
- Rob Lammert — Webmaster & Process Coordinator
Cemetery
The Catholic cemetery behind the church and school (to the west) was established in the 1880s and is the only historic cemetery on the west side of New Richmond. It was expanded in 1957, requiring the demolition of a number of adjacent houses.
- Established: 1880s
- Location: behind the church and school, west side of New Richmond
- Expanded: 1957
Getting Involved
Parishioners are encouraged to plug into parish life through Mass and the sacraments, faith formation, ministries, and outreach. The parish publishes a detailed Ministry Booklet (PDF) listing every active ministry, its purpose, and meeting cadence. To work with children or youth, volunteers must complete a background check and additional training. Those discerning a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, or the permanent diaconate are encouraged to speak with Father John or contact the Diocese of Superior Office of Vocations.
- Read the IC Ministry Booklet (PDF on icspcatholic.com)
- Contact the church office (715-246-4652) to volunteer
- Background check and training required for youth/child ministry
- Vocations: contact Fr. John or the Diocese of Superior Office of Vocations
- Sign up for Eucharistic Adoration via WeAdoreHim
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Peter DeParadis1879–1884
Purchased land from Alexander Russell and transferred it to the church on Dec. 31, 1883 after the first church burned.
- Fr. E.M. Sturm1884–1885
- Fr. Walter Fardy1885–1894
Oversaw rebuilding after the 1883 fire; opened St. Mary's School in 1891.
- Fr. William Degnan, D.D.1894–1902
- Fr. Michael E. Boyce1902–1914
- Fr. Hugh Duffy1914–1927
- Fr. Patrick O'Mahoney1927–1956
- Fr. Austin Corrigan1957–1970
- Fr. Vincent Walkowski1970–1976
- Fr. James Horath1976–1977
- Fr. Daniel Dahlberg1977–1984
- Fr. Charles Murphy1984–1996
- Fr. Allan Bradley1996–2004
- Fr. James Brinkman2004–2015
- Fr. John Anderson2015–present
Current pastor; leads the ICSP Catholic Communities cluster with St. Patrick.