About Sacred Heart · Custer, Wisconsin
Sacred Heart Parish, also known as the Roman Catholic Parish of Polonia, Wisconsin, is a historic Polish-heritage Roman Catholic community located in the small community of Custer, in Portage County, Wisconsin. Founded in the mid-19th century by Polish immigrant families and now belonging to the Diocese of La Crosse (Stevens Point Deanery), the parish is most immediately notable for its huge brick Sacred Heart Church — built in 1891–1902 and still in daily use — and for its parish school, established in 1874 by the Felician Sisters and still educating children from PreK through grade 6. The current pastor is Fr. Mark Miller, assisted by Deacon Jim Sniadajewski, and the parish welcomes visitors in both English and Polish (Witamy!).
- Established
- 1872 (church blessed under Annunciation of BVM patronage); Polish parish origins trace to 1865 (St. Joseph, Ellis); parish school founded 1874
- Patron
- Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (the church consecrated in 1902 takes this title); the original Polonia church was placed under the patronage of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1872
- Rector
- Fr. Mark Miller (appointed July 6, 2021; also serves St. Mary's, Custer)
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse (Stevens Point Deanery)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Polonia offers a rare combination: a grand historic 1902 Polish-heritage brick church still in daily use, a parish school founded by the Felician Sisters in 1874 that still runs preschool through grade 6, a bilingual (English/Polish) welcome, and an active devotional life — including weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Holy Hour, Monday-evening rosary, and a long-running Parish Religious Education program on Wednesday evenings. With daily Mass Tuesday through Saturday, weekly Confession, seasonal liturgies, and a small-school Catholic education community, it is a tight-knit parish where the heritage of Polish Catholic Wisconsin is living and visible.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:30–8:00 AM
- Saturday 2:45–3:45 PM
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00–8:00 AM (Eucharistic Adoration, followed by Confession and 8:15 AM Mass)
Parish History
Sacred Heart of Polonia traces its roots to 1857, when German and Irish settlers near Stevens Point built a small mission church dedicated to St. Martin. Polish families began arriving in 1858 and by 1865 had organized their own parish under Father Bonaventure Buczynski, who built St. Joseph Church in the hamlet of Ellis ("Polish Corners"). After years of conflict with three nearby saloons and an interdict from 1868–1870, the young Father Joseph Dabrowski was sent in 1870 by Bishop Melcher; he relocated the church in 1871 and on September 12, 1872 the new site was solemnly blessed under the patronage of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with Father Dabrowski naming it "Polonia." In 1874 he brought five Felician Sisters from Cracow, Poland — the community's first American mission — and Sacred Heart School was born. The present grand brick Sacred Heart Church was begun under Father Thomas Grenbowski in 1891, its cornerstone laid by Bishop Krautbauer, and it was dedicated July 26, 1902. After March 17, 1934 lightning destroyed it (the fifth fire in fifty years), the church was rebuilt on the same footprint and completed by Christmas of that year. The parish website titles this legacy "Celebrating over 150 Years."
- 1857: German/Irish mission built (St. Martin)
- 1858: Polish families begin arriving
- 1865: Father Buczynski organizes the Polish parish (St. Joseph, Ellis)
- 1871–1872: Father Dabrowski relocates the church; site blessed September 12, 1872 as "Polonia"
- 1874: Five Felician Sisters arrive from Cracow; school founded
- 1891: Father Thomas Grenbowski begins the brick Sacred Heart church project
- 1902 (July 26): Sacred Heart church dedicated (Feast of St. Ann)
- 1934 (March 17): Lightning fire destroys the church; rebuilt by Christmas
- 1961–62: New school built (opened January 3, 1962 with 196 pupils)
- 1971: St. Martin Church in Ellis closes; members merge into Sacred Heart
Today's Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Mark Miller, who became pastor on July 6, 2021. He also serves St. Mary's Immaculate Conception in Custer. He is assisted by Deacon Jim Sniadajewski. The parish office is staffed by Office Administrator Susanna Lepak and Business Administrator Dianne Smith, with Custodian Clare Kluck handling maintenance. Deb Riske serves as Coordinator of Religious Education, and Anna Kozikowski directs Sacred Music.
- Fr. Mark Miller — Pastor (since July 6, 2021)
- Dcn. Jim Sniadajewski — Deacon
- Susanna Lepak — Office Administrator
- Dianne Smith — Business Administrator
- Clare Kluck — Custodian
- Deb Riske — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Anna Kozikowski — Sacred Music
Sacred Heart Catholic School (est. 1874)
Sacred Heart School, founded in 1874 by the Felician Sisters from Cracow, Poland, is a Preschool-3 through Grade 6 Catholic school located in rural Polonia and drawing students from Polonia, Rosholt, Amherst Junction, Stevens Point, Custer, and Bevent. The school offers a 4-year-old preschool that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, full-day kindergarten Monday through Friday, and a full Diocesan-approved curriculum of Reading, Religion, Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Spelling, Handwriting, Latin, Music, Art, Physical Education, and Computer. Students in K–6 participate weekly in celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy (reading petitions and bringing up the gifts), with daily prayer and seasonal prayer services throughout the year; daily hot lunch, music, art, library and a computer lab round out the program. Parents engage through the Home and School Association, and the parish-wide SCRIP program provides another revenue stream supporting tuition and operations.
- Founded 1874 by the Felician Sisters (Cracow, Poland) — their first American mission
- Serves Preschool-3 through Grade 6
- Weekly school-wide Eucharistic Liturgy for K–6
- Home and School Association and SCRIP fundraiser support the school
- Principal: Dawn Cisewski (per Meet Our Staff page)
- Mission: "Sacred Heart School will foster a Catholic atmosphere, teaching as Jesus did..."
Religious Education (PRE / CCD)
Sacred Heart's Parish Religious Education program, led by Coordinator Deb Riske, complements the parish school by providing a USCCB-approved faith curriculum to parish children. Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 8:00 PM in the church. The parish emphasizes that "the parent's role as 'first teacher' is irreplaceable," and that formal, systematic PRE is required for the reception of Baptism, First Communion, First Penance, and Confirmation. Fees are $75 for one student, $115 for two, and $140 for three or more for parishioners; non-parishioners pay $100/student, and Catholic-school or homeschool families pay $50/student. Children who have not been baptized are enrolled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the pastor.
- Wednesday evenings, 6:15–8:00 PM at Sacred Heart church
- Coordinator: Deb Riske
- Required for sacraments (Baptism, First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation)
- Fees: Parishioner $75/$115/$140; Non-parishioner $100; Catholic-school/homeschool $50
Sacraments
Reconciliation is offered weekly (Thursday 7:30–8:00 AM, Saturday 2:45–3:45 PM) and by appointment. Children preparing for Baptism, First Penance, First Communion, or Confirmation are to be enrolled in and regularly attending Parish Religious Education classes. Marriages and Anointing of the Sick are arranged by contacting the parish office, and the parish also accommodates catechetical planning for non-baptized school-age children on a case-by-case basis with the pastor.
- Confession: Thursday 7:30–8:00 AM, Saturday 2:45–3:45 PM, by appointment
- Baptism, First Communion, First Penance, Confirmation — preparation through PRE
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
Parish Life & Devotions
Beyond weekly Mass and Reconciliation, Sacred Heart nurtures a deep devotional life. The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary movement brings the community together on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM for a special Rosary and prayers; parishioners and visitors are asked to use the handicap entrance. Thursday mornings add Eucharistic Adoration from 7:00 to 8:00 AM before Mass. The parish keeps its Polish roots visible in the bilingual greeting "Welcome! Witamy!" on its homepage and in its founding narrative, and its ties to neighboring Polish-heritage parishes in the area.
- Flame of Love Holy Hour — Monday 6:30 PM
- Thursday Adoration — 7:00–8:00 AM
- Open church for private prayer 7:00 AM–5:00 PM daily
Visits, Office & Weather Policy
The parish office is housed in the school building at 7379 Church Street, Custer, WI 54423. Summer office hours (per the contact page) are Monday–Wednesday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM; the office is closed Friday. Church Kitchen contact is (715) 600-0396. Sacred Heart Parish follows Stevens Point Public Schools for delays, closures, and cancellations: when the public schools close or cancel evening activities, the Parish Office and Sacred Heart School also close, and all parish activities are cancelled — posted on the parish website. On inclement-weather days, Fr. Mark Miller still celebrates the daily Mass at the scheduled time at Sacred Heart, though Confessions and Exposition are suspended; if a Mass is scheduled at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception in Custer, it is moved to Sacred Heart. Visitors are asked not to risk driving in unsafe weather.
- Parish office in the school building, 7379 Church St, Custer, WI 54423
- Summer hours: M–W 9–3, Th 9–1, closed Friday
- Weather cancellations follow Stevens Point Public Schools
- Use handicap or front east-side door for church entry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bonaventure Buczynski1865–1868
Sent to organize the Polish congregation; built the original St. Joseph Church in Ellis
- Father Francis Wenglikowski, Father S. Szczepankiewicz, Rev. Juszkiewica, Rev. J. J. Zawistowski1868–1870
Successors to Buczynski during the interdict period; all failed
- Father Joseph Dabrowski1870–
Sent by Bishop Melcher in 1870; relocated St. Joseph away from the saloons; named the site Polonia in 1872; in 1874 brought the first Felician Sisters from Cracow
- Father Thomas Grenbowskifrom 1891
Undertook building the large brick Sacred Heart Church (cornerstone by Bishop Krautbauer; dedicated 1902)
- Father Herbert Zoromskifrom 1978; again from 1987
In 1987 assigned as pastor of both Sacred Heart, Polonia and St. Mary's, Custer
- Father Al Wozniakuntil July 1995
Retired from active ministry in 1995
- Father Joseph Konopackyfrom July 1995
Also pastored St. Adalbert (Rosholt) and St. Mary's (Custer); Father Steve Kachel served as assistant pastor
- Father Marcin Mankowskifrom 1998
Native of Poland and U.S. citizen; took leave from U.S. Military chaplaincy; also pastored St. Adalbert
- Father Gregory Michaud2011–2019
Also pastored St. Adalbert in Rosholt and St. Mary's in Torun
- Father Alan Guanella2019–2021
Also served St. Mary's, Custer; transferred to Wisconsin Rapids in July 2021
- Father Mark Millerfrom July 6, 2021
Current pastor; also serves St. Mary's, Custer