About St. Lawrence · Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
St. Lawrence Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, belonging to the Diocese of La Crosse within the Wisconsin Rapids Deanery. Founded in 1899 by 33 Polish families who wanted worship in their mother language, the parish was named after St. Lawrence, patron saint of its oldest parishioner, Lawrence Kleppin. Today the parish is led by Pastor Rev. Barry Saylor with two associate pastors, two deacons, and a parish school and early childhood center operated through Assumption Catholic Schools. Its mission centers on living the Gospel, encountering Jesus in the Eucharist, and bringing others to Christ, offering weekday Masses, Sunday Mass, First Friday adoration, and a full sacramental life.
- Established
- 1899
- Patron
- St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
- Rector
- Rev. Barry Saylor
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin Rapids Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Lawrence invites anyone curious about the Catholic faith to find a home here, whether they have been Catholic for life or are just beginning to explore. The parish is rooted in more than 125 years of community, tracing back to 33 Polish families who built it as a place to encounter Christ together, and it still gathers around the Eucharist, prayer, and service. With weekday and Sunday Mass, First Friday adoration, Sunday confession, faith formation for children, RCIA/OCIA for adults, and parish committees for worship, education, social justice, and parish life, St. Lawrence offers many ways to grow in relationship with Christ and serve neighbors in Wisconsin Rapids.
Mass times at St. Lawrence
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:45–10:15 AM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration after the 7:00 AM Communion Service, continuing until noon (with Benediction at noon)
Our History
St. Lawrence Parish traces its roots to 1899, when 33 Polish families in Wisconsin Rapids decided to found a parish that would celebrate Mass in their native language. Over the following decades the community built and rebuilt churches, opened schools staffed by religious sisters, and weathered a devastating 1914 fire. The parish's present church on the corner of 10th Avenue North and Fremont Street was dedicated in 1932, and the school consolidated into the regional Catholic school system in 1999.
- 1899 – 33 Polish families pool $925 to buy land; Articles of Incorporation issued March 14, 1900
- 1904 – First church dedicated October 15; school opens with Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi from Milwaukee
- 1910 – Felician Sisters from Milwaukee take over teaching
- 1914 – Original church destroyed by fire on May 18; rebuilt on same site
- 1932 – Present church dedicated June 12 at 10th Ave N & Fremont St
- 1950 – New rectory built
- 1971 – Last Felician Sisters leave; school continues with lay teachers
- 1975 – New school dedicated June 1
- 1999 – Joins Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools system
- 2025 – Church renovation
- 2025 – 125th anniversary celebrated with Bishop Battersby
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, two associate pastors, two deacons, and lay staff in the parish office and faith formation program. The parish secretary is Caren Alsides, OCDS, and the Director of Religious Education is Samantha Golat.
- Pastor – Rev. Barry Saylor
- Associate Pastor – Father Joseph Glatczek
- Associate Pastor – Father Rajendran Anandan
- Deacon – Jon Anderson
- Deacon – Tom Anderson
- Secretary – Caren Alsides, OCDS
- Director of Religious Education – Samantha Golat
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
St. Lawrence offers a full sacramental and devotional life centered on the Eucharist. Weekday and Sunday Masses are supplemented by Communion Services, Sunday confessions, and First Friday Adoration with Benediction. Live-streamed Masses on Facebook and YouTube help homebound parishioners stay connected.
- Sunday Mass – 10:30 AM
- Wednesday Mass – 5:30 PM
- Thursday Mass – 7:00 AM
- Monday & Friday – 7:00 AM Communion Service
- Confession – Sundays 9:45–10:15 AM or by appointment
- First Friday Adoration – after the 7:00 AM Communion Service until noon, with Benediction
- Live-streamed Mass on Facebook and YouTube
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Lawrence is directed by Samantha Golat and serves parishioners from early childhood through adulthood. Programs include the parish religious education curriculum, youth ministry, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for those exploring or entering the Catholic faith.
- Religious Education program (Director: Samantha Golat)
- Youth Ministry
- Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA / RCIA)
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
St. Lawrence School & Early Childhood Center
St. Lawrence has educated children since 1904, originally under the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and then the Felician Sisters. The school joined the Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools system in 1999 and today operates as part of Assumption Catholic Schools. The St. Lawrence Early Childhood Center offers childcare and preschool and serves as a host site for Wisconsin Rapids' public school 4K program.
- School founded 1904 – first staffed by Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi
- Felician Sisters taught 1910–1971
- New school dedicated June 1, 1975
- Joined Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools in 1999
- Now part of Assumption Catholic Schools
- St. Lawrence Early Childhood Center – childcare, preschool, 4K host site
Parish Committees & Groups
Parishioners serve the community through a number of standing committees and groups that cover education, worship, fellowship, finances, and outreach. Together with the Council of Catholic Women and St. Joseph's Men's Group, these committees shape parish life.
- Catholic Education Committee
- Council of Catholic Women
- St. Joseph's Men's Group
- Finance Committee
- Parish Life Committee
- Sacred Worship Committee
- Social Justice Committee
Parish Life & Events
St. Lawrence maintains a busy social and devotional calendar that builds community across generations. Highlights include the annual Feast Day Picnic near the August 10 feast of St. Lawrence, fish fries during Lent, a Lenten Mission Retreat, June and April socials (such as the ice-skating outing), and various parish recognition celebrations such as First Communion and All Saints Day.
- Annual Feast Day Picnic (around August 10) – Polish sausage and potluck
- Lenten Fish Fries
- Lenten Mission Retreat
- June and April parish socials (including ice skating)
- First Communion and All Saints Day celebrations
- Parish social events listed in the weekly bulletin
About Saint Lawrence, the Martyr
St. Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the early Roman Church under Pope Sixtus II and was martyred on August 10, 258 during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. He is traditionally depicted with the gridiron on which he was killed and is venerated as patron of deacons, cooks, and the poor. The Wisconsin Rapids parish takes his name from its oldest original parishioner, Lawrence Kleppin, and celebrates his feast day each August with Mass, Adoration, and the parish picnic.
- Martyred August 10, 258 in Rome
- One of seven deacons of the Roman Church
- Feast day: August 10
- Patron of deacons, cooks, and the poor
- Parish patron – named for original parishioner Lawrence Kleppin
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Lawrence by phone, email, or in person at the parish office at 530 10th Avenue North in Wisconsin Rapids. Office hours run Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (or 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM per the contact page). The church building itself is open weekdays 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Fridays until noon for prayer.
- Address: 530 10th Avenue North, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
- Phone: (715) 421-5777
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8 AM–12 PM (or 8 AM–3 PM)
- Church Open: Weekdays 7 AM–4:30 PM, Fridays until noon
- Part of the Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin Rapids Deanery)