About St. Alexander · Port Edwards, Wisconsin
St. Alexander Parish is a small Catholic parish in the Village of Port Edwards, Wisconsin, one of two linked parishes in the Diocese of La Crosse — the other being Sacred Heart of Jesus in neighboring Nekoosa. The two are served jointly by a single pastor, Rev. Fr. John Swing (residing at Sacred Heart), and by deacons. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:00 AM at St. Alexander's historic 880 1st Street church, with Wednesday morning Mass also offered there. The parish community maintains its own Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) and shares a Knights of Columbus council (Council #12662, Nekoosa–Port Edwards) with Sacred Heart. The Diocese of La Crosse lists St. Alexander as part of the Wisconsin Rapids Deanery.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- St. Alexander (the congregation was named in honor of Alexander, with the bishop officially confirming the name in 1941)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. John Swing (Rev. R. John Swing)
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin Rapids Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Alexander offers a tight-knit, small-town Catholic community in Port Edwards where parishioners know one another by name. The parish celebrates Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM, with a Wednesday morning Mass also offered on most weeks, and provides pastoral care through pastor Fr. John Swing and two deacons. Faith formation is directed by Peggy Wettstein (who also serves as liturgical music director/organist), and the parish is supported by an active PCCW, a Knights of Columbus council shared with neighboring Nekoosa, and a prayer-chain ministry — making it a warm, family-style parish where involvement is easy and welcome.
Mass times at St. Alexander
Weekly Mass schedule
Welcome & Mission
St. Alexander presents itself as a parish family in the Diocese of La Crosse. Its mission statement frames the community around hospitality: 'Be part of the family! "Do not neglect hospitality for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels." Hebrews 13:2.' The parish invites visitors and neighbors to 'join us in praising and worshipping God' and says, 'We look forward to seeing you at Mass!' Sunday Mass is at 8:00 AM at the Port Edwards church, with weekday Mass rotated between St. Alexander and Sacred Heart (Nekoosa). The parish is currently in the Wisconsin Rapids Deanery under Bishop Gerrard W. Battersby, the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse.
- Mission: 'Be part of the family!' (Hebrews 13:2)
- Pastoral family with Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Nekoosa
History of St. Alexander Parish
St. Alexander Parish was founded in 1941 to serve Catholics in and around the Village of Port Edwards in Wood County, Wisconsin. A committee was formed to establish regular Sunday and daily Mass, and on June 27, 1941, a reception and parish meeting introduced the founding pastor, Father Mullen, to the community. The first Sunday Mass was celebrated on June 29, 1941. Two portable altars, a collapsible confessional, and a communion railing were constructed to make worship possible from the start. Daily Mass was initially offered in the residence of Mrs. M. Mollen, which also served as Father Mullen's first rectory, while a permanent church was built. Various patron names were considered, but the bishop ultimately chose to honor Alexander, officially naming the new parish 'St. Alexander' in 1941. In June 2016, the community gathered to mark 75 years of parish life, with Bishop William Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse celebrating an anniversary Mass on June 5, 2016, assisted by the Rev. John Swing and Deacon Mark Quayhackx, followed by a parish brunch.
- Founded 1941 in Port Edwards, WI
- First Sunday Mass: June 29, 1941
- Founding pastor: Father Mullen
- Parish reception and meeting: June 27, 1941
- Named in honor of Alexander by the bishop
- 75th anniversary celebrated June 5, 2016, with Bishop William Callahan
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. Alexander is currently served as part of a joint pastorate. Rev. Fr. John Swing (Rev. R. John Swing) is pastor of both St. Alexander Parish, Port Edwards, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Nekoosa, residing at Sacred Heart. Two deacons serve the parishes: Deacon Michael Lambrecht, whose residence is at St. Alexander Parish (reachable at the parish office 715-887-3012 or urgent line 715-573-2310), and Deacon Rick Skifton, who serves both St. Alexander and Sacred Heart. Peggy Wettstein serves as Director of Religious Education and Liturgical Music Director/Organist for both parishes (715-213-1778). St. Alexander's administrative assistant is Karrie Oertli ([email protected]). The Sacred Heart side is staffed by administrative assistant Kelly Lysne.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. John Swing
- Deacon: Michael Lambrecht (resident at St. Alexander)
- Deacon: Rick Skifton
- Director of Religious Education & Liturgical Music Director/Organist: Peggy Wettstein
- St. Alexander Administrative Assistant: Karrie Oertli
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Alexander and Sacred Heart of Jesus publish a shared weekly schedule that rotates weekday Masses between the two churches. The posted weekly Mass schedule, as published on the parish website, includes Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM at St. Alexander, with weekday Mass on Wednesdays at 8:00 AM at St. Alexander on most weeks. The parish reminds worshippers that 'Daily Mass times are subject to change each week. Please verify all times in our weekly bulletin.' Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM and Sunday Mass at 10:30 AM are celebrated at Sacred Heart in Nekoosa.
- Sunday — 8:00 AM at St. Alexander
- Wednesday — 8:00 AM at St. Alexander (most weeks)
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 PM at Sacred Heart, Nekoosa
- Sunday — 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart, Nekoosa
- Weekday Masses rotated between the two parishes
Sacraments
Baptism and Marriage preparation are coordinated through the pastor, Rev. Fr. John Swing. Couples are asked to contact Father John at least six months in advance of a wedding so that preparation can be arranged. Baptisms are scheduled by contacting the pastor through the parish office at (715) 887-3012.
- Baptism — contact Father John Swing
- Marriage — contact Fr. John Swing at least 6 months in advance
Faith Formation & Music
Faith formation (religious education) for the joint parishes is directed by Peggy Wettstein, who also serves as Liturgical Music Director and Organist across both St. Alexander and Sacred Heart. Families wishing to enroll children in faith formation or to learn about programs can reach her directly at 715-213-1778.
- Director of Religious Education: Peggy Wettstein (715-213-1778)
- Liturgical Music Director/Organist: Peggy Wettstein
Ministries & Organizations
St. Alexander supports the parish through several lay organizations. The St. Alexander Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) is led by President Laura Vechinski (715-909-0068) and is part of the broader women's council that also includes the Sacred Heart PCCW (Presidents Ann Taylor and Connie Henske). The parish also takes part in the Nekoosa–Port Edwards Knights of Columbus Council #12662, with Grand Knight John Zagrzebski and Deputy Grand Knight Dan Hustedt. A prayer chain ministry serves both parishes: requests at Sacred Heart go to Colleen Volt (715-570-3273) and at St. Alexander to Sandy Allworden (715-887-4357).
- St. Alexander PCCW — President Laura Vechinski
- Sacred Heart PCCW — Presidents Ann Taylor and Connie Henske
- Knights of Columbus Council #12662 (Nekoosa–Port Edwards) — Grand Knight John Zagrzebski; Deputy Grand Knight Dan Hustedt
- Prayer Chain — Colleen Volt (Sacred Heart, 715-570-3273); Sandy Allworden (St. Alexander, 715-887-4357)
Liturgical Volunteers & Schedules
Parishioners serve the liturgies at both churches in rotating roles. Volunteer schedules for St. Alexander are published online so members can see when they are scheduled. Open roles across the linked parishes include ushers, lectors/cup ministers, gift bearers, and rosary leaders.
- St. Alexander Volunteer Schedules (published online)
- Sacred Heart Ushers, Lectors/Cup Ministers, Gift Bearers, Rosary Leaders (rotating)
Devotions & Home Enthronement
Both parishes promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, including an outreach to families to 'Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Your Home.' Information about arranging a home enthronement is available by calling 715-886-3422. The prayer-chain ministry (see above) is another devotional outreach available to parishioners in need.
- Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — info: 715-886-3422
- Prayer Chain for parish prayer requests
Contact & Visiting
St. Alexander Parish is located at 880 1st Street, Port Edwards, WI 54469. The parish office can be reached at (715) 887-3012, with fax (715) 887-3748. The mailing address is the same as the physical address. For pastoral matters parishioners are encouraged to call or email the office; the parish maintains individual email contacts for the pastor, deacons, religious education director, and administrative assistant.
- Address: 880 1st St., Port Edwards, WI 54469
- Office: (715) 887-3012 — Fax: (715) 887-3748
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Deacon Michael Lambrecht: [email protected]
- Admin Assistant (Karrie Oertli): [email protected]
- Parish office: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Mullen1941 (founding)
First pastor of St. Alexander Parish; introduced to the congregation at a reception and parish meeting on June 27, 1941; first Sunday Mass celebrated on June 29, 1941.