About St. Lawrence · Hartford, Wisconsin
St. Lawrence Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Hartford, Wisconsin, belonging to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Founded in 1846 by pioneer Catholic families, it is one of the oldest parishes in Washington County and worships in a striking 1880s brick church that is the only consecrated Roman Catholic church in the county. The parish now shares pastoral leadership with neighboring parishes under the 'Be A Saint' Disciple Maker Formation collaborative, while maintaining its own weekend Mass schedule, faith-formation programs, Christian Women's Group, and endowment fund. Its mission statement centers on lifelong spiritual growth and disciples formed by the words, caring, and healing touch of Christ.
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- St. Lawrence
- Rector
- Very Rev. Richard Stoffel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Lawrence is a small, multigenerational country parish whose families — names like Krebs, Gehring, Strupp, Wolf, and Mueller — have worshipped here for generations, giving the community a real sense of belonging. Weekday and weekend Masses are complemented by a Mother of Perpetual Help devotion after Tuesday Mass, Saturday morning confessions, and an active liturgical life with lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and ushers/greeters serving as Ministers of Hospitality. Faith formation for children, youth, and adults is offered through the shared 'Be A Saint' Disciple Maker Formation program with neighboring parishes, and the Christian Women's Group — one of only two such groups still active in Washington County — offers fellowship, service, and spiritual growth for women of the parish.
Mass times at St. Lawrence
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Our Story & Heritage
St. Lawrence Parish was organized in 1846 by roughly a dozen pioneer Catholic families in what was then wilderness Washington County. Bishop Henni blessed the congregation's first log church that October. A frame church replaced it in 1854 and the present brick church was erected 1880–1882 and consecrated by Archbishop Heiss on October 4, 1882 — the only consecrated Roman Catholic church in the county. The parish marked its 175th anniversary in 2021 with Archbishop Jerome Listecki presiding.
- First log church blessed by Bishop Henni, October 1846
- Frame church blessed by Father Beiter, February 1854
- Served by missionary priest Father Rehrl, 1855–1856
- Present brick church erected 1880–1882; consecrated Oct. 4, 1882
- High oak altar from Louvain, Belgium installed 1891
- Interior renovated ceiling-to-floor in 1989
- Washington County Landmark designation, January 1990
- 175th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Listecki, August 8, 2021
Mission Statement
St. Lawrence Parish states: 'We, the members of St. Lawrence Parish, believe that we truly become the disciples of the Lord when: His words become our words, His caring becomes our caring, His healing touch becomes our touch, His life makes us alive. We provide opportunities and education for lifelong spiritual growth for all our members.' The parish motto welcoming visitors is: 'Our Door is Open, Our Table is Set — There is a Place for You Here!'
Pastoral & Parish Staff
Clergy and staff are shared with neighboring parishes in the Disciple Maker Formation / 'Be A Saint' collaborative.
- Very Rev. Richard Stoffel — Shared Pastor
- Rev. Kevin Kowalske — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Robert Derks — Shared Deacon
- Nancy Pfeifer — Director of Administrative Services
- Kim Slizewski — Director of Formation
- Sandi Dhein — Child and Family Minister
- Kaylyn Krebs — Youth Activities Coordinator
Liturgical Ministries
The parish invites youth and adults to serve in liturgical ministries. Ushers and greeters serve as Ministers of Hospitality; contact Jeff and Jane Becker at [email protected].
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Saturday & Sunday)
- Lectors (Saturday & Sunday)
- Ushers / Greeters (Saturday & Sunday)
Faith Formation — 'Be A Saint'
Faith formation at St. Lawrence is delivered through the shared 'Be A Saint' Disciple Maker Formation program serving Resurrection, St. Lawrence, and St. Peter parishes. The monthly Be A Saint Newsletter highlights opportunities for all ages — child through adult. Calendars and syllabi for middle and high school students are grade-specific.
- Kim Slizewski — Director of Formation, 262-644-8083 ext. 2207, [email protected]
- Sandi Dhein — Child and Family Minister, 262-644-8083 ext. 2205, [email protected]
- Kaylyn Krebs — Youth Activities Coordinator, 262-644-8083 ext. 2211, [email protected]
Christian Women's Group (CWG)
The Christian Women's Group is open to all women of the parish over 18 — single, married, divorced, or widowed — and offers spiritual growth, Catholic social teaching, friendship, and charitable service. The CWG is one of only two remaining Christian Women organizations in Washington County. Free childcare is provided at meetings.
- Meets 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 PM, September through May
- Location: St. Joseph's Room in the church hall
- Refreshments served; free childcare provided
- Joanne Duffek — President
- Monica Gehring — Treasurer
- Vice President (name published on the parish site)
St. Lawrence Congregation Endowment Fund
The parish operates an endowment / legacy fund and encourages members to remember St. Lawrence Parish in their estate planning. A brochure is available on the parish website.
- Legacy / Endowment giving brochure available on the parish site
- Contact the Parish Office at (262) 644-5701 for estate planning information
Visit Us
St. Lawrence sits on a wedge of farmland at the intersection of State Highway 175 and County Highway K in Washington County. The parish's phone number is (262) 644-5701, and the office is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Address: 4886 Highway 175, Hartford, WI 53027
- Phone: (262) 644-5701
- Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM