About St. Mary · Menasha, Wisconsin
St. Mary Parish (formally St. Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption) is a Catholic parish in Menasha, Wisconsin, founded in 1867 by German-speaking Catholic families. It is one of three historic Menasha parishes (alongside St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick) and is currently linked with neighboring St. John the Baptist, sharing clergy and staff. The parish is part of the Diocese of Green Bay and operates the parish campus at 528 Second Street, which includes St. Mary Elementary School as part of the multi-campus St. Mary Catholic Schools system serving the Fox Valley.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Assumption (Blessed Virgin Mary); commonly known as St. Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Paul J. Paider (pastor of the linked parishes of St. Mary and St. John the Baptist in Menasha). [Note: A 2023–24 Diocesan Directory listing also showed Rev. Michael Lightner as Administrator of St. Mary Menasha; the parish's own history page names Rev. Paul J. Paider as pastor of both linked parishes.]
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Mary offers a tight-knit Catholic community in the heart of Menasha with daily and weekend Mass, weekday Eucharistic adoration, and regular Reconciliation. The parish grounds include its own elementary school — St. Mary Elementary — part of the multi-campus St. Mary Catholic Schools system (Pre-K3 through 12) known for academic excellence, athletics, and faith formation. With a Deacon serving as Parish Life Coordinator ready to welcome newcomers, a clear registration process, and a history stretching back to 1867, St. Mary is a place where founding families' descendants still worship alongside new arrivals.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday & Thursday: 12:00–1:00 pm
- 30 minutes before every parish Mass
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 12:00–1:00 pm and 6:00–7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:15–8:15 am and 12:00–1:00 pm
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Mary, formally St. Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, is a Catholic parish in Menasha, Wisconsin within the Diocese of Green Bay. The parish's stated mission is 'To focus on the Eucharist as the source of our foundation and have the commitment to Strengthen our Faith Journey through the sacraments, continued prayer, education and service with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.' Its address is 528 Second Street, Menasha, WI 54952, and the parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
- Full name: St. Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption
- Diocese of Green Bay
- Address: 528 Second Street, Menasha, WI 54952
- Parish office phone: (920) 725-7714
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm
History of St. Mary Parish
Founded in 1867 by German-speaking Catholic families who separated from St. Charles Congregation (now St. Patrick's), the parish began in a former Congregational church building purchased for the purpose. Bishop Henni of Milwaukee blessed the first church that spring. On Ash Wednesday 1883, fire destroyed that original structure; under Father Seubert, $14,000 was raised in three days, and the present German Gothic church — designed by Chicago architect Druiding — was dedicated by Bishop Krautbauer in November of the same year. The parish has been served by diocesan priests, the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers (1971–2003), and again by diocesan priests linked with neighboring parishes.
- 1867 — parish founded for German-speaking Catholics of Menasha; first resident pastor Rev. F. Uhlemeyer
- 1883 (Ash Wednesday) — fire destroyed the first church; rebuilt within months
- 1883 (November) — present German Gothic church dedicated by Bishop Krautbauer
- 1971–2003 — administered by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers
- 2003–present — linked with St. John the Baptist (and originally St. Patrick); administered by diocesan priests
Clergy, Deacons & Parish Staff
The parish's own history page names Rev. Paul J. Paider as pastor of the linked St. Mary and St. John the Baptist parishes. Deacon Don Schultz serves as Parish Life Coordinator and is the first point of contact for newcomers. The Diocesan Directory lists Rev. Michael Lightner as Administrator and a parish staff that includes a business manager, administrative assistants, and faith-formation personnel.
- Rev. Paul J. Paider — Pastor (linked parishes)
- Deacon Donald (Don) Schultz — Parish Life Coordinator
- Rev. Michael Lightner — Administrator (per 2023–24 Diocesan Directory)
- Steven Siegel — Business Manager
- Maile Lukasik and Lauren Moder — Administrative Assistants
- Bethany Doll — Faith Formation / Religious Education Contact
Sacraments
St. Mary celebrates the Eucharist at scheduled Masses and offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation at posted times and before every Mass. The parish coordinates Baptisms, Marriages, First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick through the parish office at (920) 725-7714.
- Eucharist — weekend and weekday Mass
- Reconciliation — Wed/Thu 12:00–1:00 pm + 30 min before every Mass
- Baptism, Marriage, First Communion, Confirmation — by arrangement with the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / pastoral care — contact the parish office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for parish children and youth is coordinated through the parish's Religious Education office at 628 5th Street, Menasha. The RE contact is Bethany Doll ([email protected]). St. Mary is also a partner parish of St. Mary Catholic Schools, allowing seamless continuity between parish faith formation and Catholic elementary/middle/high school education.
- Religious Education Office: 628 5th St., Menasha, WI 54952-2308
- RE Phone: (920) 725-7714
- RE Contact: Bethany Doll — [email protected]
St. Mary Elementary School & St. Mary Catholic Schools
St. Mary Elementary is a Pre-K through Grade 5 Catholic school located on the parish campus at 540 Second Street, Menasha. It is part of the five-campus St. Mary Catholic Schools (SMCS) system serving the Fox Valley, which also includes St. Gabriel Elementary and St. Margaret Mary Elementary in Neenah, and St. Mary Catholic Middle School and High School on Zephyr Drive in the Village of Fox Crossing. The system is described as 'a community that stands apart … known for academic excellence, athletic achievement and a vibrant Catholic faith,' and is Cognia-accredited.
- St. Mary Elementary — 540 Second Street, Menasha, WI 54952
- School Office: (920) 725-5351
- SMCS President: Dan McKenna
- Principal (per Diocesan Directory): Anna Cihlar; Associate Principal Crystal Blahnik
- Part of St. Mary Catholic Schools (Neenah/Menasha) — Pre-K3 through Grade 12
Visiting & Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers, visitors, returning Catholics, and the simply curious are warmly welcomed at St. Mary. Deacon Don Schultz, the Parish Life Coordinator, is available to answer questions about the Catholic faith and the parish. A New Member Registration Form is available on the parish website, and visitors are encouraged to attend any Mass — and 'be sure to greet us when you do.'
- Contact: Deacon Don Schultz — (920) 725-7714 ext. 416 — [email protected]
- New Member Registration Form available on the parish website
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm
Restoration Project
Through approximately October 2024, the parish undertook a major Restoration Project of the historic German Gothic church building. During the project, regular Masses were relocated to neighboring St. John the Baptist (516 De Pere Street) while St. Mary's building was being restored. Visitors during that period were directed to attend Mass at the sister parish.
- Regular Masses relocated to St. John the Baptist during the project
- Sister-parish Mass times coordinated through the linked-parish office
Building, Grounds & Accessibility
The parish plant has been carefully maintained and updated across generations. Major building works include a complete interior renovation, repair of the organ, clock tower, bells, and stained-glass windows, an outside wheelchair ramp, a 1995 parking lot, and a 1998 connecting link between church and school that added an activity center, kitchen, cafeteria, and restrooms.
- Outside wheelchair ramp
- On-site parking lot (added 1995)
- 1998 church-to-school link with activity center, kitchen, cafeteria, restrooms
- Historic organ, clock tower, bells and stained glass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F. Uhlemeyer1867 – (first resident pastor)
First resident pastor of the parish dedicated in spring 1867.
- Rev. Father Seubertserved by 1883
Rebuilt the parish after the Ash Wednesday 1883 fire; raised $14,000 in three days and dedicated the present German Gothic church in November 1883.
- Rev. Herman Rogier, S.D.S.
Salvatorian priest who had temporary charge of St. Mary until a definite pastor was appointed.
- Rev. N. Hensfrom November of his transfer year – 1905
Given Rev. V.C. Hugo as an assistant due to the arduous pastoral duties.
- Rev. Peter Schmitz1905 – September 1914
Succeeded Fr. Hens; died in office September 1914.
- Rev. John Hummel (Msgr. Hummel)1914 – retired 1948
Long-tenured pastor before retirement in 1948.
- Rev. Joseph Becker (Msgr. Becker)assistant from June 26, 1928; Parish Administrator 1948; Pastor Nov. 5, 1950 – died Oct. 15, 1985
Began as a young assistant in 1928; served as band director, teacher, principal, administrator and finally pastor. Devoted nearly his entire priestly career to St. Mary.
- Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers1971 – 2003
Religious order administered the parish for 32 years.
- Diocesan priests (post-2003)2003 onward
After the Blessed Sacrament Fathers left in 2003, the parish was linked with St. John the Baptist (and initially St. Patrick) and administered by diocesan priests.
- Rev. Paul J. Paider
Pastor of both St. Mary and St. John the Baptist parishes (linked).