St. Michael

About St. Michael Parish

St. Michael Catholic Church is a small, rural Roman Catholic parish serving the village of Hewitt, Wood County, Wisconsin. It belongs to the Diocese of La Crosse (Marshfield Deanery) and is operated as a Tri-Parish together with Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Auburndale and St. Kilian in Blenker — sharing one pastor and one bulletin. Worship is offered on Saturday evenings and Wednesday mornings, with Reconciliation available before the Vigil Mass or by appointment. The parish supports faith formation for children, a women's organization, a choir, a cemetery, and the annual Brat Fry fundraiser during Hewitt Garage Sale Days.

Parish History

Catholic life in Hewitt began in 1885 when families who had been traveling to St. John's in Marshfield grew numerous enough to support a local mission; Mass was first offered in an old store building fitted up as a chapel. In 1888 Rev. Constantine Nau became the first resident pastor and a rectory was built the following year. Father Nau was transferred to Mosinee in 1889 and Rev. Aug. Birsner continued serving from Marshfield until 1891, when Rev. W. Daniels arrived and immediately built the first church, dedicated that October. The church was enlarged within a few years, and in 1898 a combined school and Sisters' residence was erected; the Sisters of Notre Dame of Milwaukee staffed it with about 120 pupils. After 13 years Father Daniels was promoted to Marathon City in 1904, followed by Rev. Albert Dorrenbach (1904–1907) and Rev. Adolph Miller (1907–1920), who resigned due to ill health. Rev. F. Forster became pastor in 1920, a new rectory was completed in 1922, and a new, larger church was being planned. By 1923 the parish counted roughly 130 families.

• 1885 – Hewitt becomes a mission of St. John's, Marshfield; Mass in an old store building
• 1888 – Rev. Constantine Nau named first resident pastor
• 1889 – First rectory built; Father Nau transferred to Mosinee
• 1891 – Rev. W. Daniels appointed; first church dedicated in October
• 1898 – Combined school and Sisters' residence built (Sisters of Notre Dame of Milwaukee)
• 1904 – Rev. Albert Dorrenbach succeeds Father Daniels
• 1907 – Rev. Adolph Miller takes over; serves 13 years
• 1920 – Rev. F. Forster becomes pastor
• 1922 – New rectory completed
• 2024 – Rev. Angisamy Irudayaraj appointed Parochial Administrator of the Tri-Parish (July 2)

Clergy & Parish Staff

Since July 2, 2024, Rev. Angisamy Irudayaraj — known to parishioners as 'Father Angi' — has served as Parochial Administrator of the Tri-Parish (St. Michael–Hewitt, Nativity of the BVM–Auburndale, St. Kilian–Blenker), with residence at the Auburndale rectory. He is a priest of the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli (India), sent with the permission of his own bishop. The parish office is staffed by Amy Sue Vruwink.

• Rev. Angisamy Irudayaraj (Father Angi) — Parochial Administrator; rectory 715-652-2728
• Amy Sue Vruwink — parish office
• Office hours: Mon/Tue/Thu 8:00 am–4:00 pm; Wed/Fri 8:00 am–12:00 pm

Religious Education (CCD)

Faith formation for parish children is coordinated by Lora Ledden (715-897-2882). The program culminates each spring in a Graduation Mass — in 2025 celebrated on May 18 — recognizing the year's catechists, students, and families. A volunteer Religious Education Committee supports the program.

• Coordinator of Religious Education — Lora Ledden, 715-897-2882
• Annual Graduation Mass
• Volunteer Religious Education Committee

Parish Choir & Music

St. Michael's parish choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. New members are invited to grab a missal and come to the front of church before Mass, or to contact choir director Colleen Stini with questions.

• Choir Director — Colleen Stini
• Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Ushers serve on a rotating monthly schedule

Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW)

The St. Michael's PCCW brings the women of the parish together for fellowship, service, and fundraising. Meetings begin with a 9:30 am business meeting (or right after daily Mass) and are followed by lunch; members pitch in for parish events such as the annual pre-Lenten food event.

• Monthly meetings with lunch and fellowship
• Supports parish fundraisers and outreach

St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery

The parish maintains St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery on Main Street in Hewitt, adjacent to the church. It contains more than 900 memorials and is catalogued on Find a Grave (Cemetery ID 730578). A Cemetery Committee of parishioners helps care for the grounds and is elected at the parish's June elections.

• Location: 11100 Main Street, Hewitt, WI 54441
• Coordinates: 44.64747, -90.09845
• Find a Grave Cemetery ID 730578 — 911 memorials, 97% photographed
• Cemetery Committee elected each June

Community Events & Outreach

St. Michael's keeps a visible presence in the wider Hewitt community. The biggest annual fundraiser is the Brat Fry held during Hewitt Garage Sale Days (May 15–17 in 2025), with carry-out available by calling 715-498-6097. The parish also participates in the Tri-Parish Prayer Tree (requests to [email protected]), the Diocesan Annual Appeal (2024–25 parish goal: $15,180), and the Wisconsin State Council Knights of Columbus charity raffle.

• Annual Brat Fry during Hewitt Garage Sale Days
• Tri-Parish Prayer Tree — [email protected]
• Diocesan Annual Appeal
• Knights of Columbus charity raffle

Getting Involved

Parishioners are encouraged to consider a short two-year term on the Pastoral Council — only four evening meetings a year — as a manageable way to support Father Angi and the parish. Elections are held each June for the Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Religious Education Committee, and Cemetery Committee. Anyone interested in serving, or in joining the choir, the PCCW, or CCD, is invited to contact the parish office.

• Pastoral Council — 2-year terms, four evening meetings a year
• Finance, Religious Education, and Cemetery Committees — June elections
• Choir, PCCW, and CCD welcome new members

Tri-Parish Connection

St. Michael shares a pastor, bulletin, and central office with two neighboring parishes: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Auburndale) and St. Kilian (Blenker). Together the three communities cover Mass every day of the week and run a unified Tri-Parish website at www.saintsmmk.com and a Facebook page at facebook.com/saintsmmk.

• Tri-Parish Website — www.saintsmmk.com
• Tri-Parish Facebook — facebook.com/saintsmmk
• Parish App — text 'App' to 88202 (MyParish App)
• Parish Email — [email protected]