About St. Catherine · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church is a parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, located at 5101 West Center Street on Milwaukee's northwest side in the Sherman Park neighborhood. Founded in 1922 to serve Catholic families settling along the growing western edge of the city, St. Catherine is part of the Milwaukee West-side Catholic Parishes together with St. Sebastian and Mother of Good Counsel. The parish runs an exemplary parish school (grades 3K-8), hosts a long-standing food pantry and St. Vincent dePaul outreach, and continues its motto of being "Here to Stay, Here to Serve." Worship is offered in concert with partner parish St. Sebastian, and lifelong faith formation is available for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Alexandria
- Rector
- Rev. Peter Patrick Kimani
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Catherine is a faithful, neighborhood-rooted Catholic community that has worshipped and served Milwaukee's northwest side for more than a century. Worship is offered Sunday mornings and on weekdays in partnership with nearby St. Sebastian, confession is regularly available, and a long-running school (3K-8) anchors the parish for young families. Lifelong faith formation is offered for children, youth, and adults — including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, sacramental preparation, youth ministry, and Tuesday morning adult study after Mass — alongside tangible outreach such as the parish Food Pantry, St. Vincent dePaul Society, SPARC interfaith partnerships, and Sherman Park community involvement. Newcomers are warmly welcomed to meet the pastor after Sunday Mass.
Mass times at St. Catherine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month
- Every Sunday during Advent and Lent (30 minutes before Mass)
- By appointment with Fr. Peter Patrick Kimani (414-445-5115 ext 200 or [email protected])
Parish History
St. Catherine of Alexandria was incorporated as a parish of the Milwaukee Archdiocese on November 13, 1922, when 41 families pledged $10,000 over five years to establish it on half a city block at 51st & Center Street. Under Archbishop Sebastian Messmer, Father Peter Flasch gathered around one hundred Catholic families already living in the still-undeveloped northwest side of the city. A pine-board barrack served as a temporary church and school for 120 children in fall 1923, and over the next quarter-century the school (1929), convent (1931), rectory (1936), and an American Gothic church (1949-50) were all completed, giving the complex a consistent exterior thanks to a master plan drawn up in 1923. On June 26, 2011, Blessed Trinity Parish merged with St. Catherine to form one faith community.
- Founded November 13, 1922 — Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- First pastor: Fr. Peter Flasch (appointed by Archbishop Sebastian Messmer)
- 41 founding families pledged $10,000 over five years
- Master plan for the entire complex drawn up in 1923
- School completed 1929; convent 1931; rectory 1936
- Current church dedicated July 16, 1950, by Archbishop Moses E. Kiley
- June 26, 2011 — merger with Blessed Trinity Parish
Architecture & Buildings
The 1949-50 church is a Late Gothic Revival / Tudor Gothic building of brick and limestone designed by architect William Herbst (a founding partner of Herbst & Kuenz) and built by contractors Gebhard-Berghammer. It seats roughly 1,000 worshippers. The original pews incorporated an innovative assistive hearing system using hardwired earpieces. The unified exterior materials and colors of the school, convent, rectory, and church reflect the 1923 master plan drawn up for the entire parish complex.
- Architect: William Herbst (Herbst & Kuenz)
- Contractor: Gebhard-Berghammer
- Altar and canopy: European Statuary and Art Company (now T.H. Stemper)
- Pews and woodwork: Kewaunee Furniture Company
- Stained glass: Anton Wendling (German artist)
- Stations of the Cross: modeled by Conrad Pickel, translated by Ulrich Langenegger, executed by Will Klopfenstein with John Kallenberg and Adolf Roegner
- Cost at completion (1950): $900,000
Parish Mission & Welcome
St. Catherine's mission statement describes a "Christ-centered community, the vital and spiritual presence of the Catholic Church," called to welcome all, learn and grow in God's love, serve the community, honor the sanctity and diversity of life, and celebrate the joy of faith. The parish lives out the motto "Here to Stay, Here to Serve." St. Catherine, St. Sebastian, and Mother of Good Counsel together form the Milwaukee West-side Catholic Parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Visitors and newcomers are invited to meet the pastor after Sunday Mass or to call the parish office to set up a meeting.
- Motton: 'Here to Stay, Here to Serve'
- Part of the Milwaukee West-side Catholic Parishes (with St. Sebastian and Mother of Good Counsel)
- Welcomes new parishioners after Sunday Mass or by appointment
Clergy, Staff & Office Hours
The parish is led by Pastor Reverend Peter Patrick Kimani and served by Deacon Ralph Kornberger (Deacon Couple with Jane Kornburger). Parish staff include Tonya Johnson (Director of Administrative Services), Margaret Lee (Faith Formation Minister for Youth and Director for Human Concerns), Jessica Quintanilla (Faith Formation Minister for Adults and Young Adults), Joe Sheehan (Faith Formation Minister for Children), and Mary Brooks (Office Assistant). Trustees are Jeff Morzinski (Trustee Secretary) and Toni Wagner (Trustee Treasurer).
- Pastor: Rev. Peter Patrick Kimani — [email protected] / (414) 445-5115 ext 200
- Deacon: Ralph & Jane Kornburger (Deacon Couple)
- Director of Administrative Services: Tonya Johnson
- Faith Formation Minister for Youth & Human Concerns: Margaret Lee
- Faith Formation Minister for Adults/Young Adults: Jessica Quintanilla
- Faith Formation Minister for Children: Joe Sheehan
- Office Assistant: Mary Brooks
- Trustees: Jeff Morzinski, Toni Wagner
Office Hours & Contact
The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to Noon at (414) 445-5115. The School Office is open 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM at (414) 445-2846. The Parish Center is located at 5101 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53210-2361.
- Parish Office: Mon–Fri 9 AM – Noon · (414) 445-5115
- School Office: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM · (414) 445-2846
- Address: 5101 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53210-2361
Worship Schedule
St. Catherine celebrates Mass in collaboration with partner parish St. Sebastian. Weekend Mass is offered Sunday at 9:00 AM at St. Catherine. Weekday Masses rotate between the two parishes and adjust slightly during the school year: Monday at 8:30 AM at St. Sebastian; Tuesday at 8:15 AM at St. Catherine when school is in session (8:30 otherwise); Wednesday at 8:15 AM at St. Sebastian when school is in session (8:30 otherwise); Thursday no Mass at either parish; Friday at 8:30 AM at St. Catherine; Saturday at 8:30 AM on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. (A St. Sebastian Saturday vigil/evening Mass and a second Sunday Mass are part of the wider West-side schedule.)
- Sunday 9:00 AM (St. Catherine)
- Monday 8:30 AM (St. Sebastian)
- Tuesday 8:15 AM school / 8:30 AM summer (St. Catherine)
- Wednesday 8:15 AM school / 8:30 AM summer (St. Sebastian)
- Thursday — no Mass
- Friday 8:30 AM (St. Catherine)
- Saturday 8:30 AM (2nd and 4th Saturday)
St. Catherine School
St. Catherine School is an Exemplary Catholic School in the Sherman Park neighborhood, serving students in grades 3K through 8. The school welcomes children of all faiths and partners with families to form young people "for life-long learning and faith-filled living." Cougar Camp provides before- and after-school care for K3-8 and summer child care, and during summer operates as a neighborhood center for the Summer Food Service Program providing breakfast and lunch to qualified children.
- Grades served: 3K – 8
- Mission: educate an urban, diverse community in Catholic faith and academic excellence
- Cougar Camp: before- and after-school and summer care (6:30 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Summer Food Service Program partner site
- Contact: (414) 445-2846; www.saintcatherine.org
Faith Formation for Children
St. Catherine and St. Sebastian together offer several programs for children and families. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori-based) is offered at St. Catherine in two levels — ages 3-6 on Sundays 8:45-10:00 AM in the Atrium, and ages 7-10 on Mondays 5:45-7:30 PM. Family Faith Formation provides intergenerational lessons held about five times a year. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 10:30 AM Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sundays during the academic year. Vacation Bible School runs in early August each year. Joe Sheehan (Child Sacramental Minister) supports 2nd-grade families preparing for Reconciliation and First Eucharist; Morgan Frank is the part-time Child Formation Minister.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Levels 1 & 2)
- Family Faith Formation
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Vacation Bible School
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation (2nd grade)
- RCIA for Children (Christian Initiation of unbaptized or other-tradition children)
Faith Formation for Youth & Confirmation
Faith formation for grades 6-12 happens monthly in the Adult Formation Room with additional meetings on the 2nd Sunday for Youth Liturgy of the Word (4 PM) and a youth Mass (6 PM). Middle school (grades 6-8) focuses on scripture and tradition; high school (grades 9-10) emphasizes Catholic Social Teaching and personal discipleship. Sacramental preparation for Confirmation is a separate track for 11th-12th graders; youth who do not attend a Catholic high school are required to complete two years of faith formation first. Margaret Lee, who has led Confirmation preparation in the Archdiocese for nearly 20 years, is the Minister for Faith Formation.
- Middle School Faith Formation (grades 6-8)
- High School Faith Formation (grades 9-10)
- Confirmation Sacramental Preparation (grades 11-12)
- Youth Liturgy of the Word — 2nd Sunday at 4:00 PM
- Youth Mass — 2nd Sunday at 6:00 PM
Adult Faith Formation
Adults gather most Tuesdays after the 9:15 AM Mass in the Community Center for ongoing faith formation — Scripture, Tradition, Catholic Social Teaching, Mary, and Advent programming among the topics offered. Lenten Season opportunities are published separately each year. Jessica Quintanilla serves as the part-time Adult Formation Minister.
- Tuesday morning adult study after Mass — 9:15 AM in the Community Center
- Lenten Season offerings published annually
- Contact: Jessica Quintanilla, 414-453-1061 x125 / [email protected]
Sacraments
St. Catherine prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and healing. Baptisms require a Baptism Preparation Class (contact Deacon Ralph). Children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are supported in 2nd grade with parent involvement. Confirmation preparation is a two-year process (grades 11-12) preceded by two years of Faith Formation for non-Catholic-school youth. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated for the ill and before surgery. Confession is regularly scheduled before Sunday Masses and by appointment. Couples should contact the parish office for Marriage preparation.
- Baptism (with required Baptism Preparation Class)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Confirmation (11th-12th grade sacramental track)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Marriage preparation
Outreach & Community Life
St. Catherine continues a strong tradition of neighborhood-focused mission, helping found the Sherman Park Community Association in the 1970s and joining SPARC (Sherman Park Area Religious Communities) for interfaith prayer and shared outreach. The parish Food Pantry and St. Vincent dePaul Society provide direct help to those in need, the gym has historically been opened to community groups, a neighborhood block party has drawn over 200 neighbors, and the Community Center has hosted recovery meetings four days a week. The parish motto, "Here to Stay, Here to Serve," reflects this long-standing commitment to Sherman Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Parish Food Pantry
- St. Vincent dePaul Society
- Sherman Park Community Association
- SPARC — Sherman Park Area Religious Communities
- Community Center (recovery meetings, block parties)
- Gym shared with community groups
Getting Involved
The parish publishes an annual Guidebook and Directory with a list of ministry options and ways to get involved. Newcomers can meet the pastor after Sunday Mass or call the office to set up a meeting. The St. Catherine Parish e-newsletter delivers event reminders and parish news — subscriptions are handled through [email protected].
- Annual Guidebook and Directory with ministry options
- Newsletter subscription via [email protected]
- Welcoming committee after Sunday Mass
Visit, Address & Directions
St. Catherine Catholic Church is located at 5101 West Center Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210, on the northwest side of the city in the Sherman Park neighborhood. The parish office can be reached at (414) 445-5115. Driving directions and a map are available on the parish Directions & Map page.
- Address: 5101 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53210
- Phone: (414) 445-5115
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM – Noon
- Directions & Map page: saintcatherine51.org/?page_id=108
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Peter Flasch1922–~1950 (founding pastor through 1950 dedication)
Founded the parish under Archbishop Sebastian Messmer in 1922 and was still serving as pastor at the dedication of the new Gothic Revival church on July 16, 1950.