About St. Paul · Bloomer, Wisconsin
St. Paul's Catholic Parish in Bloomer, Wisconsin, traces its roots to 1874 and has served the community for over 150 years. The parish began with a simple frame structure and grew into a brick church by 1902, which remains the current building. The parish also operates a Catholic school, founded in 1890, that has evolved through expansions and renovations, including a major 2000 update. The parish continues to offer faith formation, sacraments, and community ministries rooted in its long-standing tradition.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- St. Paul
- Rector
- Father Victor Feltes
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse
Why belong here
Join a parish with deep roots in Bloomer, where faith and education have been nurtured for over 150 years. Experience a welcoming community that values tradition, service, and spiritual growth through ministries, sacraments, and a vibrant Catholic school. Families are encouraged to participate in faith formation, school life, and parish activities that build strong, compassionate, and respectful individuals.
History of St. Paul's
St. Paul's Catholic Parish has a long history in Bloomer, Wisconsin. The church started as a frame and roof in 1874 built on land donated by Sylvester Van Loon in what was then called Vanville, later officially Bloomer. It wasn't until 1879 that a floor was installed allowing for regular masses to begin with priests from neighboring parishes. In 1884, the first resident priest, Father Edward Hanses arrived. By 1902, the congregation had grown so large that the wood frame church could no longer hold everyone, so a new brick building was commissioned at a total cost of $23,600.75. It was celebrated with a parade down main street. This is the building we still have to this day. St. Paul's first school was built in 1890 but classes were taught by Father Hanses in the church itself prior to this. The first school had two classrooms and a chapel and was located on the same spot as the current school. The children were taught almost exclusively in German during these early years. During winter, boys spent recess hauling wood in to heat the school. The teaching staff was mixture of Sisters and lay teachers even as early as 1904 and continued this way until fairly recently when Sisters were no longer sent to teach. As the students grew in number, a new school was eventually needed. In 1903, a new four classroom school was built followed by an expansion to eight classrooms in 1920 which also included a library, office, lunchroom, kitchen, and bathrooms on each floor. The school was the considered the finest in the Diocese at the time costing $56,123.32. A renovation was done in 1938 getting the school much closer to what we see today. The gym, current library, and offices were added in 2000.