About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, in the Wisconsin Rapids Deanery of the Diocese of La Crosse. The parish has served the Nekoosa community since 1900, when it was organized as a mission with Father Joseph Feldman as its first resident pastor. Today it is served by Father John Swing (pastor since 1991) alongside Deacon Rick Skifton, and shares pastoral ministry with neighboring St. Alexander Parish in Port Edwards. The community gathers for Mass on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, runs an active Religious Education program for parish children, and supports ministries including the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW), Knights of Columbus Council #12662, a Prayer Chain, and a Food Pantry collection.
- Established
- 1900
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. R. John Swing
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus is a long-standing, family-centered parish in Nekoosa (founded 1900) where visitors are welcomed with the scriptural call of Hebrews 13:2 — 'Do not neglect hospitality.' Worship is offered at a Saturday Vigil and twice on Sunday, weekday Masses are published in the bulletin, and Eucharistic Adoration is held on scheduled days throughout the year. Children are formed in the faith through a Parish Religious Education program (K–4 and older) that meets Wednesday evenings, and adults are served by active organizations including the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW), Knights of Columbus Council #12662, a Prayer Chain, and a Food Pantry collection — making Sacred Heart a faithful, hospitable home for Catholic life in central Wisconsin.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is held on scheduled days with Exposition at 3:30 p.m. and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. (previously: March 4, May 6, June 27, August 14 [ends 6:15 p.m., Vigil Mass], November 4). The parish is also a Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope holy-door site, with church hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Parish History
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was organized as a Catholic mission in 1900 and grew rapidly — by 1908 it had 125 families and built its first four-room brick school, staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi of Milwaukee. The present church was begun in 1930 by parishioners themselves (who dug the basement by hand and with a horse and scoop) and completed in 1931 at a cost of about $44,912 by the P. J. Pappenfus Construction Company. The 1933 organ, installed for $2,792.50, is still in use today. A new six-room school replaced the original in 1937, and the parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1975. The grade school consolidated with other local Catholic schools in 1999, ending more than 90 years of parish education; the building is now used for Religious Education, Boy Scouts, and community groups.
- Organized as a mission in 1900; first resident pastor Father Joseph Feldman
- 1908: four-room brick school built; Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi of Milwaukee taught the eight grades
- 1930–1931: present church built by parishioners; P. J. Pappenfus Construction Co.
- 1933: pipe organ installed ($2,792.50), still in use
- 1937: six-room school built to replace the 1908 building ($46,406.48)
- 1975: Diamond Jubilee celebrated (1900–1975)
- 1991: Father John Swing becomes pastor
- 1996: pastorate of St. Alexander (Port Edwards) added
- 1999: Sacred Heart School consolidates with other local Catholic schools
Parish Staff & Clergy
Sacred Heart of Jesus and neighboring St. Alexander Parish in Port Edwards are served jointly as one pastoral team. Father R. John Swing has been pastor of both parishes since 1991 (and added St. Alexander in 1996), with residence at Sacred Heart. Deacon Rick Skifton serves both parishes, and Deacon Michael Lambrecht is the parochial deacon in residence at St. Alexander. Peggy Wettstein serves as Director of Religious Education and as Liturgical Music Director/Organist. Kelly Lysne is the Sacred Heart Administrative Assistant, and Karrie Oertli handles administration for St. Alexander.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. R. John Swing — [email protected], 715-886-3422
- Deacon: Rick Skifton — 715-570-9357
- Deacon (St. Alexander residency): Michael Lambrecht — 715-573-2310
- Director of Religious Education & Liturgical Music Director/Organist: Peggy Wettstein — 715-213-1778
- Sacred Heart Administrative Assistant: Kelly Lysne
- St. Alexander Administrative Assistant: Karrie Oertli
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Parish Religious Education (PRE) program for school-age children (K–4 and older). Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart church, under Director of Religious Education Peggy Wettstein. The program uses a curriculum approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and is required preparation for any child wishing to receive Baptism, First Communion, First Penance, or Confirmation. Sacramental preparation is integrated with regular attendance at PRE classes.
- Parish Religious Education (K–4 and older) — Wednesdays 6:15–8:00 PM at Sacred Heart
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, First Penance, and Confirmation
- Director of Religious Education: Peggy Wettstein (715-213-1778)
- Fees: $75 one student / $115 two / $140 three+ for parishioners; non-parishioners $100; Catholic school or homeschool families $50 per student
Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW)
All women of Sacred Heart Parish are automatically members of the Parish Council of Catholic Women. The PCCW meets monthly from fall through spring on the second Monday at 1:00 p.m. in the church basement (no meetings June, July, August, or December). The organization fosters devotion to the Rosary and to the Blessed Mother, supports Catholic women's spiritual and leadership growth, and serves the parish and wider community through fundraising, hospitality, and pro-life outreach.
- Co-Presidents: Ann Taylor (715-325-2250) and Connie Henke (715-213-4742)
- Divine Mercy Sunday activities
- 40 Days for Life and annual Pro-Life Walk participation
- Sponsor Mass for the unborn aborted babies
- Host senior meals and socials during the school year
- Annual Ponczka Bake Sale and Raffle
- Funeral dinners for parish members
- Supports church kitchen, altar supplies, seminarians, Water for Life, and parish hall needs
Knights of Columbus Council #12662
The Nekoosa – Port Edwards Knights of Columbus Council #12662 serves both Sacred Heart and St. Alexander parishes and is part of the parish's broader mission of charity, fraternity, and faith. The council works with parish leadership and participates in diocesan and parish life.
- Grand Knight: Gary Kaltenbach (414-852-2264) / (alt. listing: Dan Hustedt, 715-886-5335)
- Deputy Grand Knight: Dan Hustedt (715-886-5335) / (alt. listing: Gary Kaltenbach)
- Council number: 12662 (Nekoosa – Port Edwards)
Prayer & Outreach
Beyond the PCCW and Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart runs a Prayer Chain that lifts up the intentions of parishioners and friends, and the parish participates in outreach ministries such as Food Pantry collections, support for Meals on Wheels, a Social Justice committee, and a Family Life Committee whose members serve as Mass greeters. The parish also promotes the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Home as a devotional practice.
- Prayer Chain — Sacred Heart contact: Colleen Voit, 715-570-3273
- Prayer Chain — St. Alexander contact: Sandy Allworden, 715-887-4357
- Food Pantry collections
- Meals on Wheels support
- Family Life Committee (Mass greeters)
- Social Justice committee
- Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home — contact 715-886-3422
Liturgical & Music Ministry
Sacred Heart offers lay parishioners several ways to serve the liturgy, including as Gift Bearers, Lectors/Cup Ministers, Rosary Leaders, SCRIP sellers, and Ushers. Peggy Wettstein serves as the parish's Liturgical Music Director and Organist, providing music for Sunday and weekday liturgies on the historic 1933 organ still in use today.
- Gift Bearers
- Lectors / Cup Ministers
- Rosary Leaders
- SCRIP
- Ushers
- Liturgical Music Director / Organist: Peggy Wettstein
- Historic 1933 organ still in regular use
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is located at 711 Prospect Avenue in Nekoosa, Wisconsin (Mailing: 711 Prospect Ave, Nekoosa, WI 54457-1204). Office hours are available by calling (715) 886-3422; fax (715) 886-3954. Email the office at [email protected]. The parish shares a website with St. Alexander Parish at sh-sa.org (legacy address sachtnek.com), and livestreams or posts content through a dedicated YouTube channel.
- Address: 711 Prospect Ave, Nekoosa, WI 54457
- Phone: (715) 886-3422
- Fax: (715) 886-3954
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sh-sa.org/ (legacy: http://sachtnek.com/)
- YouTube: Sacred Heart Channel
- Deanery: Wisconsin Rapids (Diocese of La Crosse)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Feldman1900 – (first resident pastor)
Came from Frenchtown; oversaw building of the first church and the 1908 four-room brick school; conducted services in Port Edwards from 1908.
- Rev. R. John Swing1991 – present
Became pastor in 1991; added pastorate of St. Alexander in Port Edwards in November 1996.