About St. John XXIII Congregation - Immaculate Conception Church · Saukville, Wisconsin
St. John XXIII Catholic Parish is a merged Catholic community serving Port Washington, Saukville, and greater Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Formed on July 1, 2016, the parish brings together three historic congregations — Immaculate Conception (Saukville), St. Mary's (Port Washington), and St. Peter of Alcantara (Port Washington) — along with Port Catholic School (now St. John XXIII Catholic School). The Immaculate Conception Church site, located at 140 W. Church Street in Saukville, is the congregation's oldest worship site, with roots going back to 1847. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and is led by Father Patrick Wendt as pastor.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Father Patrick Wendt
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. John XXIII Catholic Parish brings together three historic Ozaukee County worship communities under one joyful, Christ-centered mission. At the Immaculate Conception site in Saukville, parishioners enjoy a beautifully renovated historic church, an 8:30 a.m. Sunday and Friday Mass schedule, and the broader resources of a multi-campus parish — including a K-10 faith formation program, OCIA/RCIA for adults, a vibrant St. Vincent de Paul conference (established locally in 1961), Knights of Columbus, and outreach to the Food Pantry of Ozaukee County. With a parish-run school, Scripture study, retreats, and a Small Grant Program supporting local nonprofits, there are meaningful ways for every age and stage of life to grow as a disciple.
Mass times at St. John XXIII Congregation - Immaculate Conception Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:30 am at St. Peter's Church Site
- By appointment — call parish office at 262-284-4266
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (with Benediction) at St. Mary's Church Site
- Online Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction available (recorded by Deacon Mike Burch, Pat Jentges, Tim Handle, and Elizabeth Handle)
About St. John XXIII Catholic Community
St. John XXIII is a joyful Catholic community strengthening faith, nurturing families, and providing vibrant service and love to Port Washington, Saukville, and greater Ozaukee County. Its mission statement is 'Be Christ Inspired — Joyfully Live Our Call,' with a vision to be a dynamic Catholic community seeking to grow in faith and discipleship through Jesus Christ. The parish operates across three historic church sites and a parish school, offering formation for all ages, vibrant liturgy, and outreach.
- Mission: Be Christ Inspired, Joyfully Live Our Call
- Vision: To be a dynamic Catholic community, seeking to grow in faith and discipleship through Jesus Christ
- Three church campuses: Immaculate Conception (Saukville), St. Mary's (Port Washington), St. Peter of Alcantara (Port Washington)
- Parish-run St. John XXIII Catholic School
Immaculate Conception Church Site (Saukville)
The Immaculate Conception Church at 140 W. Church Street, Saukville, is the congregation's oldest worship site. Catholic settlers arrived in the Saukville area in 1847, gathered formally as a congregation on February 24, 1856, and built a stone church in 1858 with Bishop John Martin Henni present. The current larger church was dedicated in 1875 under Father Joseph Albers and remains in use today. After a major interior renovation in 2002, Bishop Sklba rededicated the church on December 22, 2002.
- 140 W. Church Street, Saukville, WI 53080
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 am (English)
- Friday Mass: 8:30 am (English)
- Renovated interior 2002 under Fr. Acker; rededicated by Bishop Sklba, Dec 22, 2002
History of Immaculate Conception Parish
From 1847 Masses celebrated in settlers' homes through the founding of the parish in 1856, the building of the present church in 1875, the long pastorates of Fathers Albers, Friedl, Meyer, and Holfeltz in the 19th century, to the 2002 renovation and 2016 merger into St. John XXIII — Immaculate Conception has been a continuous Catholic presence in Saukville for more than 175 years.
- 1847 — first Catholic settlers arrive; Masses in private homes by Father Pendergast
- 1856 — congregation formed under Father Seif; Bishop Henni consents to build a church
- 1858 — cornerstone laid for stone church by Bishop Henni
- 1865 — first completed church; first resident pastor Rev. Anthony Rasch
- 1872 — Father Joseph Albers becomes pastor
- 1875 — present church dedicated
- 2002 — major interior renovation; Bishop Sklba rededicates Dec 22
- July 1, 2016 — merger into St. John XXIII Congregation
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. John XXIII Faith Formation serves parishioners from the littlest ones to mature adults, helping them understand what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Faith formation 'informs, forms, and transforms' through catechesis in the CRE program for K–10 on Monday evenings, preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation, retreats for youth, Bible studies, and special events.
- CRE — Faith Formation grades K–10, Mondays 6:00–7:30 pm
- Confirmation preparation — Sundays 6:00–7:30 pm for 11th–12th graders
- Scripture Study — Wednesdays at noon, room 145
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — Sundays during the 5:00 pm Mass at St. Peter's
- Adult Confirmation classes during Easter season; celebration on Pentecost
- Contact: Maureen Rotramel, Director of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care — 262-284-2102
Adult Formation & OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
St. John XXIII welcomes those seeking to learn about or join the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish emphasizes that seeking information about the Catholic faith carries no obligation, and offers a conversion coach, Maureen, to accompany inquirers. Adult Confirmation is also available for baptized Catholics who have received First Communion but not yet Confirmation.
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult Confirmation during Easter season
- Contact: Maureen Rotramel — 262-284-2102, [email protected]
Outreach, Charity & Social Justice
The parish views justice and service as central to Christian discipleship. The St. Vincent de Paul Port Washington/Saukville Conference (established March 1961) provides person-to-person visits to neighbors in need, food, financial assistance, and companionship to the homebound, hospitalized, or institutionalized. The parish also partners with the Food Pantry of Ozaukee County, the Knights of Columbus, and supports local nonprofits through its Small Grant Program.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — local conference since March 1961; phone 262-685-6034
- Food Pantry of Ozaukee County — parish partner
- Knights of Columbus — parish partner
- St. John XXIII Parish Small Grant Program — supports Ozaukee County nonprofits; spring application period
Our Church Campuses
The merged congregation operates across three historic worship sites plus a parish school and central office.
- Immaculate Conception — 140 W. Church St., Saukville, WI 53080
- St. Mary's — 451 N. Johnson Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
- St. Peter of Alcantara — 1802 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, WI 53074
- St. John XXIII Catholic Parish Office — 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, WI 53074 (Phone: 262-284-4266; Fax: 262-284-4216)
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 7:00 am–4:00 pm; Fri 7:00 am–3:30 pm
Leadership & Staff
St. John XXIII is led by Father Patrick Wendt, who hopes parishioners see him as 'a normal person doing the vocation job here.' He is supported by two permanent deacons, directors of faith formation, pastoral care, music and liturgy, administrative services, communications and stewardship, and a cemetery/sexton team.
- Father Patrick Wendt — Pastor
- Deacon Scott Wiese
- Deacon Bill Henkle
- Katie Rutz — Pastoral Care Coordinator
- Maureen Rotramel — Director of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care
- Dawn Goodno — Associate Director of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care
- Lesa Staehler — Associate Director of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care
- Carie Ehrlich — Administrative Assistant of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care
- Barbara Lettiere — Administrative Assistant of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care
- Tim Handle — Director of Music and Liturgy
- Bill Henkle — Director of Administrative Services
- Allyson Olivier — Director of Communications & Stewardship
- Sandie Heinecke — Administrative Assistant
- Amy Jo Schmit — Administrative Assistant
- Todd Belohlav — Maintenance Supervisor
- Ryan Nierode — Custodian
- Steve Ziebell — Cemetery Sexton
- Paul Buser / Mike Keller / Russ Schreiner — Cemetery Maintenance
I'm New — Welcome
The parish warmly welcomes newcomers and those exploring the Catholic faith. The 'I'm New' page introduces the parish community, lists formation opportunities for adults, children, and youth, and invites inquirers to begin a no-pressure conversation with Maureen, the parish's conversion coach.
- Child Formation — Monday evenings during school year plus two summer weeks
- Youth Formation — Monday evenings during school year
- Confirmation classes — Sunday evenings
- Adult Formation — Bible study classes and various events
- Contact Maureen at [email protected] or 262-284-2102
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and prepares parishioners to receive them fruitfully. Sacramental preparation is integrated with the Faith Formation and OCIA programs.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 10:30 am at St. Peter's; by appointment
- First Eucharist / First Communion
- Confirmation (youth and adult)
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Pastoral Care Coordinator Katie Rutz
- Holy Orders — discernment support
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis Pendergast1847–
Visiting missionary who celebrated the first Masses in settlers' homes in the Saukville area.
- Father Bradley
Provided priestly ministry to Saukville Catholics after Father Pendergast's departure.
- Father Seif1856
Presided at the February 24, 1856 meeting that formed the congregation and sought Bishop Henni's consent to build a church.
- Reverend Anthony Rasch1865
First resident pastor of St. Mary's Parish at Saukville; oversaw completion of the first church in 1865.
- Father George Strickner1866–1868
Recorded in parish baptismal records as minister of baptisms through April 1868.
- Father Joseph Voissem1868–1872
Built the parish's Catholic school.
- Father Joseph Albers1872–1880
Built the larger present church, dedicated in 1875.
- Reverend J. Friedl1880–1887
Succeeded Father Albers in October 1880; served seven years.
- Reverend Theodore Meyer1887–1896
Served nine years; improved the interior of the church and built an addition to the school.
- Reverend P. Holfeltz1896–
Transferred from St. Louis, Caledonia; born in Reimerschen, Luxembourg; ordained by Archbishop Heiss in 1887.
- Fr. Acker1998–2002+
Encouraged the major interior renovation of Immaculate Conception Church, completed in 2002.