About St. Matthias · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
St. Matthias Catholic Parish & School is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 9306 West Beloit Road on the southwestern side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Founded in 1850 by Bishop John Martin Henni and named in honor of the Apostle St. Matthias (as a tribute to the local itinerant priest Father Mathias Steiger), it is one of the older parishes in the archdiocese and is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary across 2025–2026. The parish operates an active parish school that has been served by the School Sisters of St. Francis since 1905, and its current striking mid-century modern church was dedicated in 1967. Under the leadership of Fr. Jerry Herda — also known as chaplain of the Milwaukee Brewers — the parish continues its mission to welcome all and to form disciples through prayer, formation, and service.
- Established
- 1850
- Patron
- St. Matthias the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Jerry Herda
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Matthias is a large, active parish with deep roots (founded 1850) and a clear mission to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ through prayer, formation, and service. Visitors and parishioners encounter a vibrant liturgical life supported by a full staff — including a dedicated Director of Music & Liturgy, faith formation for children, youth and adults, and an OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for those becoming Catholic — alongside a parish school served by the School Sisters of St. Francis since 1905. As it celebrates its 175th anniversary through 2025–2026, it offers a welcoming home for any Catholic seeking community on Milwaukee's southwest side.
Mass times at St. Matthias
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st & 3rd Saturdays at 8:30 am (per third-party listing)
- Annual 'Pray, Reconcile and Rejoice: 12 Hours of Reconciliation' (archdiocesan event — St. Matthias, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Spanish confessions 6 to 8 p.m.)
Our History
St. Matthias has been a Catholic presence on Milwaukee's southwest side since 1850. The community first gathered around 1845 as a German Catholic settlement called Holy Cross; Bishop John Martin Henni formally established the parish in 1850 and named it for the Apostle St. Matthias in honor of the itinerant priest Father Mathias Steiger. The original 32-by-50-foot church was dedicated in June 1851 on land donated by three farming families at a crossroads known as 'Whiskey Corners.' A second, brick Gothic Revival church was built in 1883 and served the parish for over 80 years before being demolished in the mid-1960s.
- Founded 1850 by Bishop John Martin Henni
- Named for St. Matthias the Apostle, honoring Fr. Mathias Steiger
- First church dedicated June 1851 at 'Whiskey Corners'
- Second (brick Gothic Revival) church built 1883
- Parish school established 1866
The Current Church (1966–1967)
Construction on today's church began in 1965, the cornerstone was laid in 1966, and the building was dedicated in May 1967. Designed by Darby-Bogner Associates, the structure is celebrated for its mid-century modern, diamond-shaped design and soaring gable roof. Its most celebrated feature is the Conrad Schmitt Studios installation of slab (faceted) glass set in epoxy — at the time considered one of the largest such installations in the world.
- Construction began 1965; cornerstone 1966; dedicated May 1967
- Architect: Darby-Bogner Associates
- Mid-century modern, diamond-shaped design with gable roof
- Conrad Schmitt Studios slab-glass installation
175th Anniversary (2025–2026)
Marking 175 years since its 1850 founding, St. Matthias is hosting commemorative events throughout 2025 and 2026. A signature celebration is the 175th Anniversary Parish Picnic on Sunday, August 30, 2026, featuring an Outdoor Mass at 10:00 am, food trucks, live music by the band Wire and Nail, a clown show, airbrush tattoos, a bourbon raffle, a beer tent, kids' games, and more.
- Parish Picnic: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Outdoor Mass at 10:00 am
- Food trucks, live music, kids' area, raffles and games
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Matthias is led by Fr. Jerry Herda, installed as pastor on January 15, 2023 by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki after serving as Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese since 2017. He is also the chaplain for the Milwaukee Brewers. A full pastoral and administrative team supports the parish's liturgical, formation, school, and operational needs.
- Fr. Jerry Herda — Pastor (installed Jan. 15, 2023)
- Peter Morello — Director of Religious Education / Director of Child Formation
- Brian Jens — Director of Youth & Adult Formation (lifelong parishioner, school alumnus)
- Sam Skogstad — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Tim Kasprzak — St. Matthias School Principal (school alumnus)
- Monica Cardenas — Director of Administrative Services
- Jodi Bowers — Administrative Assistant
- Kathy Shields — Parish Office / Liturgical Ministries / Cemetery Coordinator
- Maureen Ocasio — Financial Clerk
- Chris Wierzbinski — Head of Maintenance
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church enter the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA — formerly RCIA). The formation process includes instruction in Church teaching, prayer, faith-sharing, and rites such as the Rite of Welcome and the Rite of Election, culminating at the Easter Vigil with the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion. Fr. Jerry Herda oversees the process with Brian Jens (Director of Youth & Adult Formation), Peter Morello (Director of Religious Education), and Sam Skogstad (Director of Music & Liturgy).
- Catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized Christians)
- Rite of Welcome, Election, and Initiation
- Easter Vigil: Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children is directed by Peter Morello and is rooted in nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus. Youth and adult formation, directed by Brian Jens — a St. Matthias school alumnus who has served on the pastoral staff for ten years — emphasizes prayer, service, and spiritual formation across all ages.
- Director of Child Formation: Peter Morello
- Director of Youth & Adult Formation: Brian Jens
- Formation through prayer, service, and catechesis
Music & Liturgy
Sam Skogstad serves as Director of Music & Liturgy, leading the parish's worship life in collaboration with Fr. Jerry. A vocalist and pianist, he directs the adult choir, choristers, cantors, bell choir, and instrumentalists, and plans parish worship to support 'full, conscious, and active participation' in the Mass and sacraments.
- Adult Choir, Choristers, Cantors
- Bell Choir and Instrumentalists
- Liturgical planning for Mass and sacraments
St. Matthias School
A parish school has been part of St. Matthias since 1866, and the School Sisters of St. Francis have served the school continuously since 1905. The school is led today by Principal Tim Kasprzak, himself an alumnus of St. Matthias School, who brings years of experience as a Catholic school educator to a faith-filled environment that nurtures the whole child — mind, body, and spirit.
- Parish school established 1866
- School Sisters of St. Francis serving since 1905
- Principal: Tim Kasprzak
Liturgical Ministries & Cemetery
Kathy Shields coordinates the parish's liturgical ministries — including readers, ushers, and servers — and also manages cemetery services and parish office operations. Liturgical ministers play a vital role in the parish's worship life across weekday and weekend Masses.
- Readers, ushers, servers
- Cemetery services coordination
Visit & Contact
St. Matthias is located at 9306 West Beloit Road, Milwaukee, WI 53227, on the city's southwest side. The parish phone is 414-321-0893 and the general email is [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm.
- Address: 9306 W. Beloit Road, Milwaukee, WI 53227
- Phone: 414-321-0893
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mathias Steigerpre-1850
Itinerant priest who served the early German Catholic settlement and was honored when Bishop Henni named the new parish St. Matthias in 1850.
- Fr. Jerry Herda2023–present
Installed as pastor on January 15, 2023 by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki; previously Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee since 2017; also serves as chaplain for the Milwaukee Brewers.