About St. Matthew · Campbellsport, Wisconsin
St. Matthew Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 406 E. Main Street in Campbellsport, Wisconsin, within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The parish serves the village of Campbellsport and the surrounding Fond du Lac County farmland from three worship sites: the main St. Matthew Church in town, St. Martin Chapel on Minnie Lane, and St. Kilian Chapel on County Road W. In addition to weekend and weekday Mass, the parish operates St. Matthew Catholic School, a Religious Education program for grades 1–8, a Sunday School for preschool and kindergarten children, and a Youth Ministry program. The congregation traces its roots to the Catholic community established in the New Cassel / Campbellsport area around 1864, with the parish's centennial commemorated in 1964.
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Mark R. Jones
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Matthew offers the rhythm of a tight-knit country parish with the resources of a full Catholic school, an active Religious Education program, and three worship sites. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, weekday Masses are offered on Tuesday and Thursday, and Reconciliation is scheduled Saturday afternoons. Families can send children to St. Matthew Catholic School (preschool through grade 8, with a daycare option), enroll them in the parish Religious Education program that uses the RCL Benziger 'Blest Are We' curriculum, or bring four- and five-year-olds to the twice-monthly Sunday School held during the 9am Mass from October through March. A Youth Minister coordinates ministry for older students, and the parish is home to a Praise Choir for the Saturday vigil — a congregation that clearly values faith formation across every age and stage.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (Reconciliation at St. Matthew Church)
Parish History
St. Matthew Parish traces its origins to the Catholic community organized around 1864 in New Cassel (now Campbellsport), on the west bank of the Milwaukee River. The first Mass was celebrated in the Bannon home, and in 1861 original trustees signed a contract to build a church. After about a decade of being served by priests from neighboring parishes, Rev. Anthony Michels was appointed the first resident pastor in 1874 — the same year three German Sisters arrived to found a Franciscan teaching community and open St. Matthew School. Successive pastors expanded the church and school buildings, with the present church completed in 1905 under Father Bernard 'July' Julie at a cost of about $25,000. The parish celebrated its centennial in 1964 and grew steadily through the mid-twentieth century under Fathers Schwamb, Biwer, Schmitt, and Kemmer, who added the gym-school (1956), Sisters' home (1961), and second school addition (1968), and absorbed the schoolchildren of mission parishes St. Kilian and St. Martin in 1972.
- Catholic congregation established c. 1864 in New Cassel
- First resident pastor: Rev. Anthony Michels (1874)
- Three German Franciscan Sisters opened St. Matthew School in 1874
- Present church built in 1905 under Father Bernard 'July' Julie (1900–1935)
- Centennial of the congregation commemorated in 1964
- St. Kilian and St. Martin missions incorporated into the parish school in 1972
Worship Sites
St. Matthew Parish is served from three worship sites in the Campbellsport area. St. Matthew Church is the main parish church on East Main Street, with weekend, daily, and school Masses. St. Martin Chapel on Minnie Lane hosts a 7:30 AM Mass on the 2nd Sunday of each month, and St. Kilian Chapel on County Road W hosts a 7:30 AM Mass on the 4th Sunday of each month — a rotation that keeps the two former mission parishes alive as Sunday worship places for surrounding rural families.
- St. Matthew Church — 406 E. Main Street, Campbellsport, WI 53010
- St. Martin Chapel — N1271 Minnie Lane, Campbellsport, WI 53010 (Mass 2nd Sunday, 7:30 AM)
- St. Kilian Chapel — N189 County Road W, Campbellsport, WI 53010 (Mass 4th Sunday, 7:30 AM)
St. Matthew Catholic School
St. Matthew Catholic School has been in continuous operation since 1874, when it was opened by three German Franciscan Sisters. Today the school educates children preschool through Grade 8 with a mission to educate the whole child through respect, responsibility, and service in living the Gospel message. Its philosophy emphasizes that every child needs activities for success at his or her own level, a positive self-image, guidance in social behavior, structure and safe nurturing environments, and a family-centered community striving toward academic excellence. The school is supported in part by the parish's Guardian Angel Fund, which invites donations of any size to help families afford a Catholic education.
- Address: 23 Mill Street, PO Box 639, Campbellsport, WI 53010
- Phone: (920) 533-4103
- Website: https://www.stmattsschoolcampbellsport.com/
- Principal: Joan Schlaefer
- Daycare Director: Jan Ramskugler
- Curriculum focus: respect, responsibility, service; academic, emotional, and spiritual growth
- Guardian Angel Fund for tuition assistance
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
St. Matthew's Religious Education program partners with parents to help educate children in the Catholic faith. Grades 1–5 meet as a parish program, and Grades 6–8 continue with additional optional youth ministry opportunities and special topic nights built into the regular Religious Ed calendar. Students in both programs use the RCL Benziger 'Blest Are We' Religious Education Program, which integrates Christian Service, Catholic moral teaching and Respect for Life, Catholic traditions, Prayer and Sacraments, Scripture, and fundamental Catholic Truths. A separate Sunday School welcomes preschool and kindergarten children (ages 4–5) twice a month during the 9:00 AM Mass from October through March for a $25 fee. A Youth Minister coordinates ministry for older students.
- Grades 1–5 Religious Education
- Grades 6–8 Religious Education with optional youth ministry nights
- Sunday School for ages 4–5 (twice monthly at 9am Mass, Oct–Mar; $25)
- Curriculum: RCL Benziger 'Blest Are We'
- Director of Religious Education: Anna Kraus
- Youth Minister: Dawn Doll (920-477-3551)
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at St. Matthew includes a Saturday 4 PM Praise Choir that rehearses on most Monday evenings and welcomes new members. The parish's pastoral statement affirms a community that believes in a loving God who invites all into a relationship offering eternal life with the Holy Trinity.
- Saturday 4pm Praise Choir
- Rehearsals: most Monday evenings
- Contact: Ann Schlaefer, 920-533-8869
Parish Staff & Office
St. Matthew Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Mark R. Jones and supported by a parish office team and school staff. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM (closed Friday). The parish office is located in the Parish Center at 419 Mill Street.
- Pastor: Rev. Mark R. Jones — 920-533-4441
- Office Manager: Monica Lettow
- Director of Religious Education: Anna Kraus
- Youth Minister: Dawn Doll — 920-477-3551
- Building Maintenance: Harry Beck
- Parish Office — 419 Mill Street, Campbellsport, WI 53010
- Office Hours — Mon–Thu 9 AM–3 PM (closed Friday)
- Parish Office Email: [email protected]
Getting Involved
Beyond Mass attendance, St. Matthew offers many ways to participate: enrolling children in the parish school or Religious Education program, joining the Praise Choir, helping with Sunday School, supporting the Guardian Angel Fund for tuition assistance, or serving on the Parish Council. The parish also maintains a Home and School Association that connects families with the school.
- Enroll in St. Matthew Catholic School or Religious Education
- Join the Saturday 4pm Praise Choir
- Volunteer for Sunday School (ages 4–5)
- Donate to the Guardian Angel Fund
- Parish Council and Home and School Association
Visiting & Contact
St. Matthew welcomes visitors and newcomers at any of its three worship sites. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM, and can be reached by phone at (920) 533-4441 or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address for the parish is PO Box 740, Campbellsport, WI 53010.
- Parish office phone: (920) 533-4441
- Parish office fax: (920) 533-5280
- Parish office email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: PO Box 740, Campbellsport, WI 53010
- Website: http://www.stmatthewofcsport.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony Michels1874–
First resident pastor of St. Matthew; welcomed three German Sisters in 1874 to found the Franciscan teaching community and open the parish school.
- Father John Bertram1879–
Enlarged the church and built a new school.
- Father Francis Heller1894–1899
Served St. Matthew's parish.
- Father Joseph Proelich
Short tenure before Father Bernard July.
- Father Bernard 'July' Julie1900–1935
Built the present church (completed 1905), new rectory, Sisters' home, and renovated the school.
- Father Peter Schwamb1951–
New school completed in 1956 (gym + four classrooms); new Sisters' Home completed in 1961.
- Father Anthony Biwer1955–
Faithful shepherd during whose tenure Fathers Roland Glass, William Farrell, and Salvator Schlaefer OFM Cap. were ordained.
- Father Carl Wahlen
First full-time assistant priest.
- Father Warren Schmitt1963–
Redecorated the church; built second addition to the school in 1968.
- Father Victor Kemmer1970–
Administrator and Pastor; oversaw founding of Parish Council in 1971, building improvements, and Pre-school Religion Program.
- Rev. Mark R. Jones
Current pastor.