About Immaculate Conception · Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic parish in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, founded in July 1903 by the city's Lithuanian Catholic community with permission from Archbishop Messmer. It began as Sheboygan's third Catholic church with 35 families and 50 individual members, first worshipping in a converted Protestant church at Erie Avenue and 10th Street. Today the parish belongs to the Sheboygan South Catholic Parishes (a tri-parish faith community with St. Peter Claver and Ss. Cyril & Methodius) and is part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, serving weekly Mass in English at its Humboldt Avenue church.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Fr. Paul Fliss
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers a deeply rooted Lithuanian Catholic heritage, a tight-knit parish family, and the convenience of belonging to a tri-parish community with abundant ministries. Weekday and weekend Masses in English are celebrated in a renovated, accessible church on Sheboygan's south side, with the parish school now part of Christ Child Academy (preschool through 8th grade). Members can grow in faith through RCIA, adult and children's faith formation, music ministry, the Hmong Commission, human concerns outreach (food pantry, Elizabeth Ministry, Community Café), and Parish Life socials—serving neighbors across Sheboygan County.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (Immaculate Conception)
- By appointment through the Parish Office at (920) 457-1077
Adoration times
- Saturday following the 4:00 PM Mass (see parish bulletin for current schedule)
Parish History & Lithuanian Catholic Roots
Immaculate Conception Parish was born in July 1903 out of the deep faith and determination of Sheboygan's growing Lithuanian Catholic community. With permission from Archbishop Messmer, the congregation purchased and transformed a former Protestant church at Erie Avenue and 10th Street into a Catholic place of worship, and the parish became Sheboygan's third Catholic church, beginning with 35 families and 50 individual members. The first pastor was Rev. Casimir Ambrozaitis, and the early decades were marked by a shortage of Lithuanian-speaking priests—the community often went months without a resident pastor.
- Founded July 1903; first pastor Rev. Casimir Ambrozaitis
- Original church: former Protestant church at Erie Avenue and 10th Street
- Early pastors also included Revs. M. Jodyszius, A. Balinska, Stanislaus Dysza, and John A. Gadeikis
Growth, the New Church & Parish School
Under Rev. James J. Shlikas (pastor from 1931), the parish grew to 178 families with 812 baptisms, 294 marriages, and 188 funerals recorded by the 35th anniversary in 1938. The Sisters of St. Casimir began summer religious instruction in 1939 and were teaching year-round by 1951. In 1959, Archbishop William Cousins presided at the groundbreaking for a new church and school on Humboldt Avenue; the first Mass was celebrated February 2, 1960, and Immaculate Conception Grade School opened that September with 180 students.
- First Mass in new church: February 2, 1960
- Grade school opened September 1960 with 180 students in grades 1–5
- New rectory built 1964; Erie Avenue property sold
- Staskunas Activity Center added; major renovation 1993
Christ Child Academy & Tri-Parish Collaboration
The parish school expanded to eight grades over the years and in 1986 merged with St. Peter Claver—and later Ss. Cyril & Methodius—to form Christ Child Academy, now including preschool and kindergarten. The academy is located at 2722 Henry Street in Sheboygan. In 2012, Fr. Paul Fliss was appointed Administrator of all three south-side Sheboygan parishes and later became Pastor of the Tri-Parish Faith Communities, knitting the parishes together in shared mission.
- Christ Child Academy formed 1986 (IC + St. Peter Claver + Ss. Cyril & Methodius)
- Academy address: 2722 Henry Street, Sheboygan
- Tri-parish Pastors' Council coordinates ministries across the three parishes
Faith Formation & Christian Formation Commission
The Christian Formation Commission supports faith formation for adults and children across the tri-parish community. Programs include Religious Education (Grades 4K–8), High School Faith Formation / Confirmation Preparation (Grades 9–11), Family Formation, Adult Formation, Special Needs Ministry, and RCIA. The Commission meets on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 PM at St. Peter Claver.
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Religious Education Grades 4K–8
- Confirmation Preparation Grades 9–11
- Family, Adult, and Special Needs Formation
Human Concerns & Outreach
The Human Concerns Commission coordinates outreach to people in need across the three parishes and the wider Sheboygan community. Members serve as liaisons to specific ministries, raise awareness of peace and justice issues, and promote giving. The Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6 PM at St. Peter Claver.
- Tri-Parish Food Pantry
- Elizabeth Ministry
- Warming Center
- Birthday Card Ministry
- Community Café
- Prayer Network
- Giving Tree
- Green Ministry
Hmong Ministry & Cultural Outreach
Sheboygan's Hmong Catholic community—whose faith tradition traces back about 100 years to the mountains of Laos and Thailand—is served through the Hmong Commission. The commission helps spread Catholic teaching, preserves the Hmong language, and supports spiritual growth. A Hmong Mass is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 11:00 AM at St. Peter Claver, and the Hmong Commission meets at 6 PM on the third Thursday of the month in Van Treeck Hall at St. Peter Claver.
- Hmong Catholic Leadership Formation
- Hmong RCIA Ministry
- Hmong Catholic Evangelization and Formation
- Hmong Spiritual Life and Worship
- Monthly Hmong Mass on the 3rd Sunday at St. Peter Claver
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at Immaculate Conception is led by Music Director Judy Wilsing, who coordinates with the liturgical life of the parish alongside the music directors at the sister parishes. Music is integral to weekend and weekday liturgies as well as special celebrations.
- Music Director (IC): Judy Wilsing ([email protected])
- Music Directors also serve St. Peter Claver (Frederick Strassburger) and Ss. Cyril & Methodius (Monica Virant)
Clergy & Staff
Immaculate Conception is served as part of the Sheboygan South Catholic Parishes tri-parish community. Fr. Paul Fliss is Pastor and Fr. Kenneth Anyanwu is Associate Pastor. Deacons John Gavin and Rich Gulig assist, and a team of parish secretaries, faith formation staff, music directors, building and grounds personnel, and cemetery sextons staff the day-to-day operations of the three parishes.
- Fr. Paul Fliss – Pastor ([email protected], ext. 106)
- Fr. Kenneth Anyanwu – Associate Pastor ([email protected], ext. 107)
- Deacon John Gavin
- Deacon Rich Gulig
- Marge Ausloos – Director of Administration & Operations
- Christy Kempke – Parish Secretary
- Eric Rudd – Director of Faith Formation
- Kym Leibham – Director of Adult Ministry
- Judy Wilsing – Music Director (IC)
- Tom Halbach – Facilities Manager / Holy Cross Cemetery Sexton
- Dan McKenzie and Ron Russart – Cemetery Sextons (IC)
Parish Life & Pastoral Council
The Parish Life Committee plans and hosts social events to build community, including socials after weekend Masses four times a year at each parish. The Pastoral Council serves as an advisory group working closely with the pastor to guide the direction of the tri-parish faith communities, providing broad representation across age groups and backgrounds.
- Parish Life Committee (socials, fellowship events)
- Pastoral Council (advisory to the pastor)
Visiting, Contact & Practical Information
Immaculate Conception welcomes visitors, returning Catholics, and those exploring the faith. The parish office mailing address is 1439 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081 (shared with St. Peter Claver). Immaculate Conception's church is at 1305 Humboldt Avenue. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. A 24-hour sacramental emergency line is available at (920) 918-7021.
- Phone: (920) 457-1077
- After-hours sacramental emergency: (920) 918-7021
- Office hours Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Mail: 1439 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Casimir Ambrozaitis1903–
First pastor of the parish.
- Rev. M. Jodyszius
Succeeded Fr. Ambrozaitis.
- Rev. A. Balinska
Followed Fr. Jodyszius; served about two years.
- Rev. Stanislaus Dysza
Succeeded Fr. Balinska; remained only a few months.
- Rev. John A. Gadeikis
Sent to the parish after Fr. Dysza.
- Rev. James J. Shlikas1931–
Ushered in renewed vitality; by 35th anniversary the parish had 178 families.
- Fr. Ignatius Staskunas
Pastor honored by the naming of the Staskunas Activity Center.
- Fr. Glenn Powers1995–
Parish's 18th pastor; later served IC and Ss. Cyril & Methodius jointly from 2001.
- Fr. Paul Fliss2012–present
Appointed Administrator of the three Southside Sheboygan parishes in 2012; later became Pastor of the Tri-Parish Faith Communities.