About St. Joseph · Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, serving roughly 900 registered households from Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Elm Grove, and western Milwaukee. The parish was founded in 1855 as the fourth Catholic congregation in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, originally established at 11th and Cherry Streets to serve the city's growing German Catholic population on what was then Milwaukee's near west side. After the original church was demolished in 1962 to make way for Interstate 43, the congregation relocated to its current ten-acre site at 12130 West Center Street in Wauwatosa, where a new Brutalist-style church was completed in 1970. Today the parish is led by its 19th pastor, Fr. Justin Lopina, supported by two deacons, a parish school serving grades K3–8, and a wide range of liturgical, formation, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1855
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Justin Lopina
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a family-sized parish of about 900 households centered on the Mass and supported by Bible study groups, prayer groups, and ministries serving families, single people, children, young adults, and seniors. Members can worship at four weekend Masses, spend time in daily Eucharistic Adoration in St. Joseph Chapel, send their children to a fully accredited K3–8 day school, and serve the wider community through outreach, Music Ministry, the Athletic Association, and the Home and School Association. As one of the oldest parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, it offers both deep historical roots — bells and baptistry from its 1855 founding church — and a contemporary vision 'devoted to experiencing Jesus through liturgy, formation, community and service.'
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:50 p.m. (prior to the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass), in the Bride's Room/Crying Baby Room of church
- Sunday 7:00–7:50 a.m. (prior to the 8 a.m. Mass), in the Bride's Room/Crying Baby Room of church
- Monday 8:45–9:30 a.m. (during Monday adoration, following the 8:15 a.m. Mass)
- By appointment with Fr. Justin
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration in St. Joseph Chapel (adjacent to parish center): Mondays through Fridays, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Adoration in the chapel (with confessions available): Monday 8:45–9:30 a.m., following the 8:15 a.m. Mass
- Adoration in the church: all Thursdays during Lent, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
About St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic parish of approximately 900 registered households in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, serving the surrounding communities of Brookfield, Elm Grove, and western Milwaukee. The parish's vision is to be a parish family devoted to experiencing Jesus through liturgy, formation, community and service. Life centers on the Mass and is supported by Bible study and prayer groups, plus ministries, devotions and activities for families, singles, children, young adults and seniors.
- Founded 1855 as the fourth Catholic congregation in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Currently located at 12130 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53222
- Approximately 900 registered households
- K3–8 parish day school with more than 200 students
- Member of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee
History of St. Joseph
St. Joseph was created February 22, 1855 to serve Milwaukee's growing German Catholic community. The founding pastor, Fr. Herman Joseph Holzhauer, served for forty years, during which the parish built its first church-school-parsonage in 1856, a new stone church in 1883, and enlarged its school in 1891. By 1890 the parish had grown to 1,000 families and 900 students, taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame since 1860. After Fr. Holzhauer's death in 1895, the parish continued to grow through 18 successive pastors.
- 1855: Parish established at 11th and Cherry Streets, Milwaukee
- 1856: First church-school-parsonage built
- 1860: School Sisters of Notre Dame begin teaching at St. Joseph
- 1872: New school built; enlarged 1891
- 1883: Large stone church replaces the original
- 1890: Parish reaches 1,000 families / 900 students
- 1895: Fr. Holzhauer dies after 40 years as pastor
The Move to Wauwatosa (1960s–1970s)
In 1962, Bishop William Cousins announced that the old St. Joseph property would be taken by the county expressway commission (today's Interstate 43). Beginning in November 1962, the 475 parish families attended Mass in the banquet room of Alioto's Restaurant on Mayfair Road, known affectionately as 'St. Alioto's.' Ground was broken for the new Wauwatosa campus on September 8, 1962, and the new school opened in September 1963. The school served as the worship space until the current Brutalist-style church was completed in 1970. Salvaged from the demolished Cherry Street church are the bells in the bell tower and the ornate baptistry now in the narthex.
- Nov 1962: Worship moves to Alioto's Restaurant 'St. Alioto's'
- Sept 8, 1962: Ground broken at 122nd & Center, Wauwatosa
- Sept 1963: New school opens under the School Sisters of Notre Dame
- 1964: Convent completed; parish hall used for Mass
- 1970: Current Brutalist-style church and separate bell tower completed
Recent Parish Milestones
In 1995, the Parish Council approved a $1.5 million Parish Activity Center addition with remodeled classrooms, administrative space, a day care, and a gymnasium. The construction debt was retired at a 'mortgage burning' ceremony in January 2000. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2005.
- 1995: $1.5M Parish Activity Center addition
- 2000: Mortgage-burning ceremony
- 2005: 150th anniversary of the parish
Founding Pastor — Fr. Herman Joseph Holzhauer
Fr. Herman Joseph Holzhauer was born November 14, 1830 in Stetten, Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, in southwest Germany, and received theological training at Tübingen and Freiburg. He emigrated to the United States in 1852 and was ordained March 11, 1854 by Bishop John Martin Henni — the Swiss-born first bishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee. Fr. Holzhauer celebrated his first Mass at Old St. Mary's on Broadway and was entrusted with organizing the new St. Joseph congregation in 1855. He remained pastor for 40 years. His health declined in 1894 and he died April 6, 1895; he was originally entombed at St. Joseph and later moved to Calvary Cemetery in 1963 when the Cherry Street property was cleared.
- Born 1830 in Stetten, Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern
- Ordained March 11, 1854 by Bishop Henni
- Pastor of St. Joseph 1855–1895 (40 years)
- Died April 6, 1895; reinterred at Calvary Cemetery in 1963
Rosary & Other Devotions
The Rosary is prayed in church each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 a.m. before the 8:15 a.m. Mass, and on Mondays at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel. The St. Therese Rosary Group gathers every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from September through May at 7:30 a.m. in a parishioner's home for fellowship and shared prayer intentions. Perpetual Help Devotions are also observed at the parish.
- Daily Rosary before 8:15 a.m. Mass (Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri at 7:30 a.m.)
- Monday Rosary in the chapel at 8:15 a.m.
- St. Therese Rosary Group: 2nd & 4th Wed., Sept.–May, 7:30 a.m.
Parish Staff
Pastoral and parish staff are listed on the parish website. Fr. Justin Lopina serves as Pastor, supported by Deacons Jose Gonzalez and Kurt Peot. Suzzanne Silman is the Business Administrative Assistant and Director of Liturgy. School Principal Bryanna VanVreede leads the day school, with Dr. Dennis Sylva as Adult Formation Director, Lisa Marynik as Formation Secretary, and Matt Adams as Maintenance Director.
- Fr. Justin Lopina — Pastor (ext. 105)
- Deacon Jose Gonzalez (ext. 109)
- Deacon Kurt Peot
- Suzzanne Silman — Business Admin. Asst. & Director of Liturgy (ext. 104)
- Nikki Claas — Administrative Assistant (ext. 101)
- Dan O'Connor — Interim Music Director
- Dr. Dennis Sylva — Adult Formation Director (ext. 106)
- Lisa Marynik — Formation Secretary (ext. 111)
- Matt Adams — Maintenance Director (ext. 115)
- Bryanna VanVreede — School Principal (414-771-5577)
Pastoral Council & Finance Council
The parish is led in part by a Pastoral Council chaired by Joe Herro, with Alanna Wilgus as vice chair, and trustees Sandy Schmitt (Secretary) and Tom Zimmerman (Treasurer). The Finance Council is chaired by Bern Enright and includes Mont Martin, Carol Polivka, Dave Gauss, Ed Reuter, Peter Diotte, Dean Weyer, and trustee-treasurer Tom Zimmerman.
- Pastoral Council Chair: Joe Herro
- Pastoral Council Vice Chair: Alanna Wilgus
- Trustee Secretary: Sandy Schmitt
- Trustee Treasurer: Tom Zimmerman
- Finance Council Chair: Bern Enright
St. Joseph Catholic School (K3–8)
St. Joseph Catholic School serves grades K3 through 8 and is fully accredited, having received 'exemplary recognition' in mission, community, and climate from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Students are drawn from Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Milwaukee, Elm Grove, and beyond, and the school offers tuition assistance along with participation in the Wisconsin Choice and Voucher programs. The school was originally opened in the Wauwatosa campus in September 1963 under the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and was significantly expanded in 1995 with the Parish Activity Center addition. The school address is 2750 N. 122nd St., Wauwatosa, 53222.
- Grades K3–8, fully accredited
- School Sisters of Notre Dame staffed the school from 1860 (Cherry Street) and from 1963 (Wauwatosa)
- 1995 Parish Activity Center addition: remodeled classrooms, administrative area, day care, gymnasium
- Choice and Voucher programs accepted; tuition assistance available
- School phone: 414-771-5577
Ministries & Organizations
Through its ministries and organizations, the people of St. Joseph serve one another, the wider community, and the world. Liturgical ministries include Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers/Ministers of Hospitality, and the Art & Environment Team. Parish-life and advisory bodies include the Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Catholic Formation Committee, Prayer and Worship Committee, School Committee, Parish Life Committee, Building & Grounds Committee, and Endowment Advisory Committee. School-connected groups include the Athletic Association and Home and School Association. Outreach and human-concerns work covers the parish's foreign ministry and other parish outreach efforts.
- Liturgical: Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers, Art & Environment
- Advisory: Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Catholic Formation, Prayer & Worship, School, Parish Life, Building & Grounds, Endowment
- School community: Athletic Association, Home and School Association
- Outreach: Outreach / Human Concerns / Foreign Ministry
Joining the Parish
St. Joseph welcomes new parishioners; the parish's registration form is available as a fillable PDF on the website or as a printed copy from the Welcome Center in the rear of church or at the parish office. The Welcome Center is staffed after Mass the second weekend of each month. The registration form requests family-member names, contact information, sacramental details (dates and places of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, etc.), occupation, education, and marital status.
- Registration form available as fillable PDF or in print
- Welcome Center staffed after Mass the 2nd weekend of each month
- Parish office open Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (closes at noon Fri in summer)
Contact & Location
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (and closes at noon on Fridays during summer months), and is closed on Holy Days of Obligation and certain federal holidays. The parish is located in the Milwaukee area at 12130 West Center Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53222.
- Parish Office: 414-771-4626
- School: 414-771-5577
- Address: 12130 W. Center St., Wauwatosa, WI 53222
- School address: 2750 N. 122nd St., Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Herman Joseph Holzhauer1855–1895
Founding pastor; immigrant from Stetten, Hohenzollern, Germany; served 40 years; died April 6, 1895.
- Fr. Justin Lopinacurrent (19th pastor)
Current pastor; preceded by 18 others over the parish's history.