About Saints Peter and Paul · Hortonville, Wisconsin
SS Peter & Paul Catholic Community is a Christ-centered parish located in Hortonville, Wisconsin, in the Diocese of Green Bay. Founded in 1875 by Polish Catholic immigrants from Silesia, the parish has grown across four buildings and generations to serve the surrounding community of Outagamie County with Mass, the sacraments, and a robust Faith Formation program for children in grades K–11. Today it gathers nearly 150 years of Silesian-rooted Catholic tradition under a single mission of "love, service, and prayer," and it continues to actively support the spiritual, educational, and sacramental life of families in and around Hortonville.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Fr. Phil Schoofs (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
SS Peter & Paul is a faithful, multigenerational Catholic community rooted in 150 years of immigrant-built Polish Catholic heritage in Hortonville, yet vibrantly active today. Members gather six days a week for Mass, with daily and Holy Hour opportunities, and can grow in faith through a K–11 Faith Formation program, an Adult Study Group, and ongoing sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. The parish also opens its doors to volunteers through Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Lenten Fish Frys, the Funeral Dinner Committee, a Blanket Ministry, and the annual parish rummage sale — giving any newcomer an easy way to serve alongside neighbors. With weekly bulletins, livestreamed Mass, a hearing-loop system, and a recent interior restoration and Saint Agnes Center dedication, it is a parish that honors its past while warmly welcoming the next generation of Catholic families.
Mass times at Saints Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month, 7:00–10:30 AM (followed by First Friday Mass at 10:30 AM)
Parish History
The earliest parishioners were Silesian-Polish immigrants seeking refuge from political and religious upheaval, settling from Popielów into the Town of Burnside, Independence, and the surrounding countryside. From the early 1850s prayer was sustained in private homes until about sixty immigrant families acquired ten acres for $15 and built a white-board church. Bishop Heiss dedicated SS Peter and Paul on October 7, 1875 and praised 'The Poles … animated by a spirit of sacrifice for their Catholic faith.' A second church was built in 1892 at Main & Olk Streets and dedicated in 1893. Father Joseph Hemmer became the first resident pastor in 1897, built the first rectory in 1898, and the church was renovated in 1928. After nearly a century of growth, the parish broke ground on a new church behind the school, which Bishop David A. Zubik of the Diocese of Green Bay dedicated on June 6, 2004.
- Founded October 7, 1875 by Polish Silesian immigrants
- Second church built 1892 at Main & Olk St., dedicated June 22, 1893
- First resident pastor: Father Joseph Hemmer (1897), first rectory built 1898
- Catholic schooling began 1887; Sisters of St. Agnes arrived 1908
- New eight-room school built 1964–65 and dedicated June 6, 1965
- Present church dedicated June 6, 2004 by Bishop David A. Zubik
- 2015 interior restoration by Affiliated Artists, Inc.
- 2024 dedication of 'Saint Agnes Center' on October 20
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Ss. Peter & Paul's Faith Formation program accompanies parents and their children on the journey of faith. Following Pope Paul VI's teaching in Gravissimum Educationis that the family plays the primary role in faith formation, the parish offers classes for students in grades K–11 on Wednesday evenings. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist takes place in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is prepared for in 11th grade, with the sacrament celebrated the following fall.
- Grades K-5: Wednesdays 3:45–4:45 PM
- Grades 6-11: Wednesdays 6:15–7:30 PM
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation for 11th graders, celebrated in fall of senior year
- Tuition $115 by Aug 1 / $135 by Sept 15; family max $350 / $400
- Automatic withdrawal / tuition assistance available
- Catechists, hall monitors, prayer partners, meal-prep volunteers needed
- Safe Environment: VIRTUS / Protecting God's Children training required
Faith Formation Staff
Two full-time staff coordinate the parish's K–11 catechetical program and sacramental preparation for children.
- Lori Pugliese — Faith Formation Coordinator
- Maria Scherer — Faith Formation Associate
- Faith Formation phone: (920) 779-0551
Adult Faith Formation
Adults deepen their faith through study and ongoing parish study groups; bulletins and calendars list regular Adult Study Group sessions for continued formation.
- Adult Study Group (meets per parish calendar)
- Parish library and other formation resources
Catholic School Heritage & Partnership
Catholic education has been a priority of the parish since the first school opened in 1887. Franciscan Sisters from Milwaukee and Stevens Point initially taught the children, followed by the Sisters of St. Agnes of Fond du Lac from 1908. In 2002 the parish formed a partnership with St. Mary's School in Greenville, where grade-school children from the parish now attend; K–11 Faith Formation continues to be served on site, and the parish building continues to host middle school athletics and act as a catechetical center.
- First parish school opened 1887
- Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity taught 1905–1907
- Sisters of St. Agnes of Fond du Lac took charge 1908; served for 104 years (to 2012)
- Current school building constructed 1967 (now 50+ years old)
- Since 2002 partnership with St. Mary's School, Greenville
Sisters of St. Agnes — 104-Year Legacy
On October 20, 2024 the parish offered a Mass honoring the Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) for more than 100 years of service in Hortonville, and on the same day dedicated the newly renovated former convent as 'Saint Agnes Center.' Sister Joann Sambs, a parish-grown CSA member, reflected on teachers, administrators, organists, sacristans, religious-ed directors, and spiritual guides who shaped the parish across generations.
- Sister Janice Funk was the last CSA sister living in Hortonville, returning to Fond du Lac in 2012
- Saint Agnes Center houses a memorial to the CSA's service
- Father Phil Schoofs offered the closing blessing at the 2024 dedication Mass
Music & Liturgy
Music at Ss. Peter & Paul is led by Music Director Larry Manley and supported by cantors, choir, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, and greeters. The parish sanctuary was restored in 2015 with a sanctuary-dome Ascension mural and gold-leaf altars, and its center-dome angel-and-chalice motif references a chalice made in 1891 for the ordination of Fr. Thomas O'Connor.
- Larry Manley — Music Director
- Cantors and parish choir
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, greeters
- Live-streamed liturgies
Parish Staff
The parish is led today by Fr. Phil Schoofs, Parish Administrator, supported by a dedicated lay staff in faith formation, operations, music, finance, and maintenance.
- Fr. Phil Schoofs — Parish Administrator
- Kevin Werner — Operations Officer
- Kelly Theobald — Operations Associate
- Geri Koeppl — Bookkeeper
- Larry Manley — Music Director
- Lori Pugliese — Faith Formation Coordinator
- Maria Scherer — Faith Formation Associate
- Karen Ruiz — Custodian
- Jason Sturn — Groundskeeper
Parish Life & Outreach
Beyond its Sunday Mass schedule, the parish offers a vibrant calendar of ministries and community events — from Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women to Lenten Fish Frys and an annual parish rummage sale — that anchor Ss. Peter & Paul in the life of Hortonville year-round.
- Knights of Columbus
- Council of Catholic Women
- Lenten Fish Frys
- Annual parish rummage sale
- Funeral Dinner Committee
- Blanket Ministry
- Parish grounds spring and fall clean-up
- Ushers, greeters, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, cantors and choir
Facilities & Accessibility
The church is looped for hearing-impaired parishioners, with hearing-aid wearers using the 'T' (telecoil) setting able to hear services directly; portable receivers and headsets are also available. The Saint Agnes Center repurposes the former convent for continuing parish use.
- Hearing loop installed for the hearing impaired
- Portable receivers and headsets available
- Saint Agnes Center (dedicated October 20, 2024)
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (closed Fridays). Visitors and parishioners are welcome to drop in or call during office hours for sacramental information, Faith Formation registration, or to get involved in parish ministries.
- Address: 107 N Olk Street, PO Box 238, Hortonville, WI 54944
- Phone: (920) 779-0551
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Friday closed
- Website: http://ssppp.org/
- Bulletin and calendar available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hieronymous Kilmecki1875–
First priest to serve the new mission (from St. Michael Parish, North Creek)
- Father Gasper1890s
Stationed in New London; built the second church in 1892, dedicated June 22, 1893
- Father Joseph Hemmer1897
First resident pastor; built the first rectory in 1898
- Father Henry Ehr1898–
Resident priest
- Father Aloysius Brunner1902–
- Father Joseph Schroeder1905–
- Father J. Kommers1906–
Oversaw the 1928 renovation of the church
- Father Theo. Kolbe1923–
- Father A. J. Quella1938–
- Father Nicholas Diedreich1947–
- Father Jaroslor Polc1957–
- Father Leo Przybyliski1958–
- Father Lyle Danen1972–
- Father Paul Vanden Hogen1974–
- Father Dennis Bergsbaken1985–
First to occupy the new rectory on E. Cedar Street, summer 1991
- Father Thomas Pomeroy1997–
- Father David Funk1999–
- Father Thomas Akpen2002–
- Father James Feely2003–
- Sister Mary Jo Kirt (Parish Director)2003–
Lay Parish Director era
- Mr. Greg Layton (Parish Director)2008–
Lay Parish Director
- Father Jim Jugenheimer2017–
Listed as co-pastor with Fr. Adam Bradley and later with other priests
- Father Adam Bradley2017–
Co-pastor with Fr. Jim Jugenheimer
- Father Kennedy Gasper2019–
Co-pastor with Fr. Jim Jugenheimer
- Father Kyle Sladek2020–
- Father Patrick Costello2021–
Co-pastor with Fr. Jim Jugenheimer and Fr. Phil Schoofs
- Father Phil Schoofs2023–
Current Parish Administrator