About St. John Nepomucene · Little Chute, Wisconsin
St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community is a parish and PreK-8 school in Little Chute, Wisconsin, serving about 1,900 families along the Fox River. Founded in 1836, it is the second-oldest faith community in the Diocese of Green Bay. The parish is led by Father Ron Belitz and is supported by two deacons and a full parish staff. It offers daily and weekend Mass, a faith development program for grades 1-11, Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, a food pantry, a Mission Club, and a wide range of Bible studies and community outreach such as the Love Thy Neighbor meal program and Playtime at the Parish.
- Established
- 1836
- Patron
- St. John Nepomucene (John of Nepomuk)
- Rector
- Father Ronald (Ron) Belitz
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. John Nepomucene offers a deep sense of Catholic community for nearly two centuries along the Fox River, with daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confession, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a thriving parish school and faith formation program for grades PreK through 11. Members can get involved through Bible study groups, the Love Thy Neighbor meal program (which serves men at COTS, Inc. homeless shelter in the Fox Valley), the parish food pantry, Mission Club, Vacation Bible School, FIRE Camp, Little Flower Girls, Playtime at the Parish, and Walk in Faith. The new Parish Center, opened in December 2024, gives the community modern, accessible space for worship, learning, and gathering.
Mass times at St. John Nepomucene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (and by appointment; call 920-788-9061)
Adoration times
- Third Thursday of each month, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed at 3:00 PM); held in the church
Our Story & History
St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community began in 1836 in a humble bark-covered wigwam along the Fox River in 'La Petite Chute' (Little Chute), founded by Rev. Theodore J. Van den Broek. It is the second-oldest faith community in the Diocese of Green Bay. Fifty-one Native Americans were baptized in the first year, and the parish's identity was shaped by the wave of Dutch Catholic immigrants that Van den Broek himself brought from Holland beginning in 1847. The present stone church was built 1860–1868 with stones hauled from the Fox River on stone-boats drawn by oxen, and has been continuously expanded and renovated ever since.
- Founded 1836 by Rev. Theodore J. Van den Broek (1783–1851)
- Second oldest parish in the Diocese of Green Bay
- 51 Native Americans baptized in the parish's first year
- Original wigwam built by Menominee Indians served as church, school, and parsonage
- First frame church built 1836 near Pine & Canal streets; torn down 1871
- Present stone church constructed 1860–1868; stones hauled from the Fox River on oxen-drawn stone-boats
- Father Vanden Broek returned to Holland in 1847 and brought three ships of Dutch immigrants to the Fox River Valley
- Historical marker erected 1974 by Little Chute Kiwanis Club
- Father Vanden Broek is buried on the site of the present church
Stone Church & Renovations
The present stone church, built 1860–1868, has been continually updated for nearly 160 years. Major milestones include the 1894 addition of sacristies, sanctuary, tower clock, and stained glass windows; a pipe organ in 1937; side entrance and confessional chapels in 1958; a new front entrance in 1962; a complete interior renovation with new stained glass in 1966; insulation of attic and side walls in 1980; exterior painting in 1982; a 1985 parish center; and a 2003 $3.2 million renovation that added the west wing, gathering space, fellowship hall, kitchen, and air conditioning. In 2021 Pine Street was removed and the parking lot expanded, shifting the church's address to 411 Vandenbroek St.; a carport was added at the new main entrance in 2022. The first frame church's original sleigh-runner cross still hangs in the gathering space.
- 1894 — sacristies, sanctuary, tower clock, stained glass; old altars reduced from 45 to 25 feet
- 1937 — pipe organ
- 1946 — redecorating after the war
- 1958 — side entrance and confessional chapels
- 1962 — new front entrance
- 1966 — complete interior renovation and new stained glass windows
- 1980 — attic and side walls insulated
- 1982 — exterior painted; new entrance to church basement
- 1985 — parish center built south of the present school (gym, classrooms, multipurpose room)
- 2003 — $3.2M renovation: west wing, gathering space, fellowship hall, kitchen, multipurpose rooms, air conditioning
- 2021 — parking lot expanded, Pine Street removed, address changed to 411 Vandenbroek St.
- 2022 — carport added at new main entrance
St. John School (PreK-8)
St. John Nepomucene School has served the Little Chute and surrounding communities in an educational environment rich in tradition and Catholic values since 1844. The first school building was constructed that year with six pupils from the Menominee Indians. The school closed for a period due to finances, then reopened in 1889; additional rooms were added in 1909. The present brick school was built in 1928, with a 1940 addition housing 745 grade school and high school students, and a separate high school built across the street in 1957 (closed 1972 due to high operating costs). The school's teams are known as the Flying Dutchmen, a tribute to the parish's Dutch heritage. Today the PreK-8 school offers athletics, after-school organizations, youth ministry, annual traditions, and before- and after-school care.
- Founded 1844; first six pupils were from the Menominee Indians
- Closed for a period for financial reasons; reopened 1889 with additional rooms in 1909
- Present brick school built 1928; 1940 addition
- Separate high school built 1957, closed 1972
- School mascot: the Flying Dutchmen
- PreK-8 today with athletics, after-school organizations, youth ministry, before- and after-school care
- Address: 328 Grand Avenue, Little Chute, WI 54140
- Phone: (920) 788-9082
- Email: [email protected]
Youth Faith Development (Grades 1–11)
The parish Faith Development program develops engaged Catholics through prayer, the sacraments, God's Word, and service, with a mission to guide children to draw close to Jesus and shine His light through their words and actions. Classes are offered for Grades 1 through 11, with small group sizes of 8–10 students and around 199 enrolled families and 51 volunteer catechists. Programming includes Vacation Bible School (upcoming K–4, end of July), FIRE Camp (Grades 5–8 — a day of service and faith featuring yard work, garden prep, breakfast, lunch, a mini-retreat, and concluding with 4:30 PM Mass), Little Flower Girls (Catholic girls' club K–4 focusing on nine virtues each year), and the Youth Mass (10:00 AM Sunday) celebrated by students as readers and choir.
- Grades 1–11 faith formation with small groups of 8–10
- ~199 families and 51 volunteer catechists
- Vacation Bible School — upcoming K–4, one week at the end of July, themed around scripture with prayer, crafts, music, dance, games
- FIRE Camp — Grades 5–8 day of service and faith; breakfast, lunch, community volunteering, mini-retreat, and 4:30 PM Mass
- Little Flower Girls — monthly meetings for K–4, nine virtues per year
- Youth Mass — 10 AM Sunday, students serve as readers and choir
- Address: 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, WI 54140
- Phone: (920) 788-9033
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond the sacraments and school, St. John Nepomucene runs a wide variety of ministries that bring parishioners together in faith and service. The Food Pantry and Mission Club Store are both located on the lower level of the Parish Center (accessible from the parish center entrance or the Vandenbroek Street lower-level double doors). Love Thy Neighbor is the parish's outreach meal program — for example, in June the parish prepares a meal for 24 men at COTS, Inc., a Fox Valley transitional shelter working to end homelessness. Playtime at the Parish meets every Thursday morning in the Lower Level Hospitality Room for free coffee, a children's story, and play (a stroller-friendly entrance is available off the parish office parking lot). Walk in Faith is another regular program, and the parish also hosts a Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study (Lower Level Hospitality Room, 9:00–10:30 AM), VIA (a grief support gathering Wednesdays 7:30 AM in the Lower Level Parish Center), and a Pregnancy Loss Support Group provided through Ember of Hope.
- Food Pantry — lower level of the Parish Center
- Mission Club Store — lower level of the Parish Center
- Love Thy Neighbor — meal program for COTS, Inc. (Fox Valley homeless shelter); June 2025 meal served 24 men
- Playtime at the Parish — Thursdays, Lower Level Hospitality Room, 9:00–10:00 AM (stroller-friendly Vandenbroek Street entrance)
- Walk in Faith
- Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study — Lower Level Hospitality Room, 9:00–10:30 AM (resumes in September)
- VIA — grief support, Wednesdays 7:30 AM Sept.–May, Lower Level Parish Center
- Pregnancy Loss Support Group — provided through Ember of Hope; available by appointment, contact Deacon Mark
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. John Nepomucene is led by a parish leadership team that combines clergy, deacons, and lay staff. The pastor is Father Ronald Belitz. Deacon Dave Van Eperen serves as Executive Director, and Deacon Mark Ebben serves as Pastoral Associate. Staff coordinators include Sarah Simon (Faith Development Director), Becca Meier (Youth Minister), Jim DeGroot (Music Ministry Coordinator), Amber Gloudemans (Discipleship & Hospitality Coordinator), Sarah Vosters (Marketing Coordinator), Sarah Zouski-Teske (Executive Secretary / Bulletin Editor), and Dani Hietpas (Faith Development Administrative Assistant).
- Father Ronald Belitz — Pastor
- Deacon Dave Van Eperen — Executive Director
- Deacon Mark Ebben — Pastoral Associate
- Sarah Simon — Faith Development Director
- Becca Meier — Youth Minister
- Jim DeGroot — Music Ministry Coordinator
- Amber Gloudemans — Discipleship & Hospitality Coordinator
- Sarah Vosters — Marketing Coordinator
- Sarah Zouski-Teske — Executive Secretary / Bulletin Editor
- Dani Hietpas — Faith Development Administrative Assistant
Parish Center & Facilities
The new Parish Center opened in December 2024 after the 1960 parish building was torn down in December 2023. It contains modern offices for the priest, deacons, and staff; upgraded classrooms with technology for Faith Development; easier access and a larger space for the Food Pantry; an expanded and improved area for the Mission Club; more meeting space for Bible studies and committees; a rentable space for gatherings with a large kitchen; a large storage area; and an elevator for handicap accessibility. The 2003 renovation added the church's west wing, gathering space, fellowship hall, kitchen, and multipurpose rooms. The Lower Level Hospitality Room (with bathrooms connected, round tables, max capacity 64) hosts Bible study groups and faith development education classes. The new main entrance has a carport added in 2022.
- New Parish Center opened December 2024
- Modern offices, upgraded faith development classrooms, elevator
- Larger Food Pantry and expanded Mission Club area
- Rentable gathering space with full kitchen and storage
- Lower Level Hospitality Room — round tables, max capacity 64
- West wing, fellowship hall, and multipurpose rooms added 2003
- Carport at new main entrance added 2022
- Expanded parking lot and removal of Pine Street in 2021
Contact & Visiting
The parish is located at 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, WI 54140 (mailing address P.O. Box 305). The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and can be reached at (920) 788-9061 or [email protected]. The school office is at 328 Grand Avenue, phone (920) 788-9082, [email protected]; the Faith Development office is at 411 Vandenbroek Street, phone (920) 788-9033, [email protected]. The new Parish Center is handicap accessible via an elevator from the parish center entrance.
- Parish: 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, WI 54140; P.O. Box 305
- Parish phone: (920) 788-9061
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Parish Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- School: 328 Grand Avenue, Little Chute, WI 54140; (920) 788-9082; [email protected]
- Faith Development: 411 Vandenbroek Street; (920) 788-9033; [email protected]
- Handicap accessible via elevator from the parish center entrance
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Theodore J. Van den Broek1836–?
Founder; Dutch missionary priest who arrived in 1836 and built the original wigwam church, school and parsonage with the help of the Menominee Indians. Returned to Holland in 1847 and brought three ships of Dutch immigrants back to the Fox River Valley. Buried on the site of the present church.