About St. Anthony · Oconto Falls, Wisconsin
St. Anthony Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, part of the Diocese of Green Bay. Founded in 1896 by Fr. Charles Vanier, it grew from 60 founding families of Irish, German, French, Dutch, Belgian and Swiss descent into a thriving community that today operates St. Anthony Elementary School (preschool through 5th grade). Since 2000 the parish has been linked with St. Patrick Parish in Stiles (Lena), and the two share a pastor — currently Fr. Walter Stumpf — under a combined website at holy3.org. The parish's mission statement calls its members 'missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God.'
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Walter Stumpf
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Anthony offers a close-knit Catholic community in Oconto Falls with a daily and weekend Mass schedule, a preschool-through-5th-grade elementary school that has served families for more than a century, and a wide range of lay ministries for every age and interest. Parishioners can grow in faith through OCIA, youth religious education for grades 1–11, the Praise His Holy Name charismatic prayer group, Care Ministry outreach to the homebound, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, the Parish Council of Catholic Women, and the Home & School Association. With First Friday devotions, regular Confession, and shared mission work alongside St. Patrick Parish in Stiles, it is a parish where missionary discipleship and family life are taken seriously.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM at St. Anthony
- 1st Friday 9:00 AM at St. Anthony
- Available by appointment
Adoration times
- 1st Friday 9:00 AM at St. Anthony (following the 8:30 AM Mass)
History of St. Anthony Parish
Fr. Charles Hoogsteel made frequent visits to the Oconto Falls territory from 1885 to 1889 while pastor at St. Patrick, Stiles. By 1896 the community was ready for its own parish, and Fr. Charles Vanier helped establish St. Anthony on January 1, 1896. It was incorporated December 11, 1896 with 60 families of Irish, German, French, Dutch, Belgian and Swiss descent, and the first church — a $3,500 brick-veneer building — was dedicated by Bishop Sebastian Messmer on December 27, 1896. Priests from Stiles attended twice a month until Fr. Julius Looze became the first resident pastor in October 1904, assisted by Fr. John Loerke, who oversaw missions at Gillett, Suring, Mountain, Townsend, Blackwell, Wabeno, Soperton, Laona, Newald and Long Lake. The parish built a new church in 1986 (dedicated by Bishop Adam Maida on February 16, 1986) and has been linked with St. Patrick, Stiles since 2000.
- Founded January 1, 1896; incorporated December 11, 1896
- First church dedicated by Bishop Sebastian Messmer, Dec. 27, 1896
- First resident pastor: Fr. Julius Looze (October 1904)
- New church built and dedicated February 16, 1986
- Linked with St. Patrick, Stiles in 2000; current pastor Fr. Walter Stumpf
St. Anthony Elementary School
Bishop Joseph Fox granted permission for fundraising as early as 1898, and Fr. Julius Looze purchased property for a school in 1905. The first school was built in 1913 for $7,693. A second, larger eight-room school was built in 1934 and staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc; their convent for eight sisters occupied the second floor. A new $260,000 school with a parish hall and basement kitchen was dedicated by Bishop Stanislaus Bona on September 29, 1958. Originally serving grades 1–8, the school dropped 7th and 8th in 1968; a 1972 closure vote was reversed after a parish poll. The Franciscan sisters left in 1987 (kindergarten added that year), grade six was dropped in 1995, and K4 was added in 2007. Today the school serves preschool through 5th grade.
- First school built 1913 for $7,693
- Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity staffed the school for decades
- New school dedicated September 29, 1958 by Bishop Stanislaus Bona — cost $260,000
- 2012 arson fire damaged the school; classes moved to Grace Lutheran Church and 'St. Anthony West' portable
- Rebuilt and reopened fall 2013 in time for the centennial
- Current grades: Preschool through 5th
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Anthony offers a steady weekly schedule of Masses, confessions, and First Friday devotions. The Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and Sunday Mass at 9:30 AM are the principal weekend celebrations. Weekday Masses are celebrated on Tuesday at 8:30 AM and on the 1st, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays of each month. First Friday Mass is celebrated at 8:30 AM, followed by Adoration at 9:00 AM. Confessions are heard Saturday at 3:00 PM and on First Friday at 9:00 AM, with additional appointments available by calling the parish office.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM (1st, 4th & 5th)
- 1st Friday: 8:30 AM (followed by Adoration 9:00 AM)
- Confession: Saturday 3:00 PM; 1st Friday 9:00 AM; or by appointment
Parish Organizations & Ministries
St. Anthony and St. Patrick together support a wide range of lay organizations. Pastoral and Finance Councils guide parish governance; lay apostolates include the Knights of Columbus, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW), the Saint Patrick Parish Christian Women, and a Home & School Association. Care Ministry, under the patronage of St. Teresa of Calcutta (patroness of Care Ministry for the Diocese of Green Bay), brings Communion to the homebound and provides sacred-listening visits to the sick, lonely or suffering — by appointment, up to one hour per visit.
- Pastoral Council — governing body (members include Fr. Tom Pomeroy, Matt Steffens, Stephanie Kurek, Mark Trepanier, Josh Vizelka)
- Finance Council — Roger Kane, Treasurer; Matt Steffens, Secretary
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic men living their faith at home, parish, work and community
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — lay person-to-person service to those in need
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) — Saint Anthony
- Care Ministry — Communion visits, sacred listening, under patronage of St. Teresa of Calcutta
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults exploring the Catholic faith or seeking to complete their initiation can enroll in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). Preparation for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation is tailored to each inquirer, with sessions that can begin at any time of year. The OCIA team is led by Melody Dolan, Bill Dolan and Mike Nelessen. The parish also hosts the Praise His Holy Name (PHHN) charismatic prayer group, which gathers on the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM (also listed at 1st and 3rd Thursday at 4:30 PM) upstairs in St. Anthony's School for praise, worship, scripture sharing and intercessory prayer. Facilitators include Brenda Knaus, Karen Knoerzer, and David Witt (music).
- OCIA team: Melody Dolan, Bill Dolan, Mike Nelessen
- Contact: 920-846-2276 to schedule with Father Walter
- Praise His Holy Name — 1st & 3rd Sundays, 7:00 PM, upstairs in St. Anthony School
- Affiliated with the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal Center (DCRC)
Youth Faith Formation
Religious Education at the parishes serves students in grades 1 through 11, with the mission 'to form a new generation of Catholics who know and love Jesus and live as his disciples in the community of the Catholic Church.' Younger students (grades 1–5) meet Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:15 PM, while grades 6–11 meet Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:00 PM. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office at 920-846-2276, ext. 105, or by email to [email protected].
- Grades 1–5: Wednesdays 5:00–6:15 PM
- Grades 6–11: Wednesdays 6:45–8:00 PM
- Contact: 920-846-2276 ext. 105
- Email: [email protected]
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve at Mass as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Servers or Ushers. Choir and music ministry are active at both St. Anthony and St. Patrick, with Saint Patrick's choir directed by Sharon Stadola-Eslien. Liturgical schedules are posted on the parish website under 'St. Anthony Liturgical Schedules.'
- Eucharistic Minister
- Lector
- Server (altar server)
- Usher
- Choir / Music ministry
- Derek Schmelzer and others listed in liturgical schedule
Linked Parish: St. Patrick, Stiles
Since 2000, St. Anthony has been linked with St. Patrick Parish, 5246 St Patrick's Rd, Lena, WI 54139, sharing one pastor. The combined 'holy3.org' website covers both parishes. Masses at St. Patrick are celebrated Thursday at 8:30 AM, 1st Saturday at 8:30 AM, and Sunday at 8:00 AM. Confessions are heard 1st Saturday at 9:30 AM and Thursday at 9:00 AM. The two parishes pool ministries, faith formation, and pastoral and finance councils while maintaining distinct identities and worship sites.
- Address: 5246 St Patrick's Rd, Lena, WI 54139
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 AM
- Weekday Mass: Thursday 8:30 AM
- 1st Saturday Mass: 8:30 AM
- Confession: 1st Saturday 9:30 AM; Thursday 9:00 AM
- Shared pastor (Fr. Walter Stumpf) and shared website holy3.org
Visit, Contact & Mission
St. Anthony is located at 253 North Franklin Street in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. The parish office can be reached at (920) 846-2276, with email contact available for religious education at [email protected]. The parish mission statement reads: 'We are missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God,' with the vision: 'As friends and followers of Jesus, we are devoted to fostering households and communities of discipleship through the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church.'
- Address: 253 N Franklin St, Oconto Falls, WI 54154
- Phone: (920) 846-2276
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holy3.org
- Mission: missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Vanier1896
Helped establish St. Anthony Parish on January 1, 1896; first church dedicated Dec. 27, 1896 by Bishop Sebastian Messmer
- Fr. Julius Looze1904–
First resident pastor, appointed October 1904; bought property for future school in 1905
- Fr. John LoerkeDecember 1904–
Assisted Fr. Looze with the missions (Gillett, Suring, Mountain, Townsend, Blackwell, Wabeno, Soperton, Laona, Newald, Long Lake)
- Fr. Patrick Beno
Officiated funerals at St. Anthony, Oconto Falls in 2008
- Rev. Walter Stumpf2020–present
Current pastor; parish linked with St. Patrick, Stiles since 2020