About Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Marathon City, Wisconsin
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish — long known simply as St. Mary's — is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of La Crosse serving the village of Marathon City, Wisconsin, and the surrounding rural community. Its present red-brick, twin-steeple church, built in 1910–1911, still dominates the village skyline as it has for more than a century. The parish runs an attached parish school, a religious education program, a perpetual adoration chapel (Pax Christi Adoration Chapel), and a full sacramental and outreach life centered on the weekend and daily Mass schedule.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Diermeier
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse
Why belong here
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary offers a full sacramental and devotional life on the Marathon City hilltop: three weekend Masses (Sat 4:00 PM; Sun 8:00 & 10:00 AM), daily Mass most weekdays, Saturday-morning Confessions, the Pax Christi Adoration Chapel open Sundays and Wednesdays, and a vibrant parish school (St. Mary's). Rooted in a German-Catholic community founded in 1863, the parish combines traditional liturgy, OCIA, a Religious Education program, a music ministry, Knights of Columbus service projects, and a 'She Shall Be Called Woman' women's program — all under the pastoral care of Msgr. Joseph G. Diermeier and three deacons.
Mass times at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday mornings after the 8:00 AM Mass
- Anytime by request
Adoration times
- Pax Christi Adoration Chapel — Sunday: 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM
- Pax Christi Adoration Chapel — Wednesday: 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM
Parish History & Heritage
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary traces its roots to the German Catholic pioneers who settled Marathon City in 1856–57 through the Pittsburgh German Homestead Society. The first mission church was built in 1863, with Father Joseph Lutz as the first resident pastor. Successive pastors built a larger brick church (1875) and the present stately $65,000 red-brick church with twin steeples, dedicated by Bishop James Schwebach on November 12, 1911, and furnished with a beautiful high altar (gift of Mrs. Joseph Blum) in 1912. The parish school — staffed from 1882 by Franciscan Sisters from Manitowoc — has been part of parish life since the beginning.
- Founded 1863
- Present church dedicated 1911
- Twin-steepled red-brick landmark of Marathon City
- Strong German-Catholic pioneer heritage
Mass & Worship Schedule
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Daily Mass is offered at 8:00 AM most weekdays (Monday–Friday and Saturday), with a Communion Service at 8:00 AM on days Mass is not celebrated. The parish follows the Roman-Latin Rite and is part of the Diocese of La Crosse.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM
- Weekdays: 8:00 AM Mass most days
Marriage, Baptism & OCIA
Couples desiring marriage are asked to contact the pastor at least six months before the anticipated wedding date. Baptism preparation classes are held each month in the church meeting room; pre-registration is required by calling the parish office. Adults seeking to become Catholic participate in OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), coordinated by Deacon Gordy Ruplinger, while those discerning the diaconate, priesthood, religious life or lay ministry are encouraged to contact the pastor.
- Marriage prep — 6 months notice
- Monthly Baptism classes
- OCIA for adults
St. Mary's School (Parish School)
St. Mary's School has been part of parish life since the 1880s and today continues the tradition of Catholic education started by the Franciscan Sisters. The school is led by Principal Marisa Doll and Teacher in Charge Paige Koch, with Deacon Bryan Hilts serving as School Chaplain and Missy Cook as School Secretary. Its mission is the formation of 'confident Christian men and women capable of accepting leadership in the ever-changing world,' combining a strong academic curriculum with Christ-centered worship, faith and service. The parish is also a supporting parish of Newman Catholic Schools in Wausau. School phone: 715-443-3430.
- Principal: Marisa Doll
- School Chaplain: Deacon Bryan Hilts
- Teacher in Charge: Paige Koch
- School Secretary: Missy Cook
- School phone: 715-443-3430
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The parish Religious Education program supports faith formation for children not enrolled in St. Mary's School, under Coordinator Steve Kreager and Faith Formation Minister Dane Kirk. Deacon Gordy Ruplinger coordinates OCIA for adults. The phone line is 715-443-2433.
- Religious Ed. Coordinator: Steve Kreager
- Faith Formation Minister: Dane Kirk
- OCIA Coordinator: Deacon Gordy Ruplinger
- Phone: 715-443-2433
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Diermeier and assisted by three permanent deacons: Deacon Bryan Hilts, Deacon John Bourke, and Deacon Gordy Ruplinger. Lay staff include Jennifer Switlick (Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor), David Salber (Plant Manager), Brian Stieber (Music Coordinator), and the school/Religious Education team listed elsewhere. General contact is Jen Switlick via the parish office (715-443-2045).
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Diermeier ([email protected])
- Deacon Bryan Hilts
- Deacon John Bourke
- Deacon Gordy Ruplinger
- Admin. Assistant / Bulletin Editor: Jennifer Switlick
- Plant Manager: David Salber
- Music Coordinator: Brian Stieber
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Nativity BVM is coordinated by Music Coordinator Brian Stieber, with the parish choir singing at the 8:00 AM Mass on designated Sundays (e.g., June 22, 2025). The choir is a visible part of the parish's liturgical life, supporting both weekend Masses and special occasions.
- Music Coordinator: Brian Stieber
- Parish Choir sings the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass on scheduled Sundays
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Outreach flows from the parish's mission 'to reach out to our parish family, to the needs of the local community, the diocesan Church, the universal Church, and to the global community.' The Knights of Columbus support the parish and school (including a motorcycle raffle benefiting St. Mary's School). The 'She Shall Be Called Woman' women's program is an 18-week faith formation experience (two nine-week sessions) — 30 minutes of social, 30 minutes of video, and 30 minutes of discussion — open to women of the parish. Deacon Hilts coordinates that program.
- Knights of Columbus — parish council supporting St. Mary's School
- 'She Shall Be Called Woman' women's program (Deacon Hilts)
- Visits to the sick, hospitalized and homebound
- myParish App for parish communication
Mission Statement
The parish's published mission statement reads: 'Our parish, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grows only in Christ and through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Flowing from these gifts, we dedicate ourselves to live and proclaim the Gospel message of Christ's love. To live Christ's love may at times be difficult. Nevertheless, it is our goal.' Members also pledge to be attentive to the voice of God in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and an informed conscience, and to be 'Christ-centered in every aspect of our faith life.'
- Founded in Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Proclaim the Gospel of Christ's love
- Christ-centered in every aspect of faith life
Contact, Visiting & Parishioner Registration
All adults living within the parish boundaries and regularly participating in the liturgy are invited to register as parishioners by contacting the pastor. The parish office is at 712 Market Street, Marathon, WI 54448 (PO Box 7, 54448-0007); phone 715-443-2045, fax 715-443-3045. The parish also encourages downloading the myParish App via the QR code printed in the bulletin.
- Office: 712 Market St., Marathon, WI 54448
- Phone: 715-443-2045
- Fax: 715-443-3045
- Register as parishioner through the pastor
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Lutz1863–1865
First resident pastor; built the first little mission church (1863).
- Rev. M. Schwebach1865–1866
Pastor from Stevens Point, served the mission.
- Rev. Charles Hengen1866–1869
- Rev. J. J. Zavistawski1869–1871
- Rev. L. Spitzelberger1871–1874
- Rev. J. Reisser1874–1888
Built the solid brick church (1875) with school in basement.
- Rev. E. A. Hanses1888–1904
- Rev. Winand Daniels1904–1921+
Builder of the present church, school and convent; native of Rhenish Prussia; still pastor at time of 1913 county history.