About St. Thomas · Montfort, Wisconsin
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is a historic rural Catholic community in Montfort, Iowa County, Wisconsin. Founded in 1925 and built largely through donated labor, the church was dedicated on November 11, 1925. It originally belonged to the Diocese of La Crosse until the Diocese of Madison was erected in 1946. Today St. Thomas is one of four worship sites that form St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish, alongside communities in Highland, Dodgeville, and Mineral Point.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Tafadzwa Kushamba
- Diocese
- Diocese of Madison
Why belong here
St. Thomas offers a close-knit, small-town Catholic faith community rooted in over a century of local history and agricultural life, now connected to the broader resources and ministries of St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish.
History
The history of St. Thomas begins around 1915 with a petition of signatures from people wishing to have a Catholic Church in the Montfort area. In 1919 a committee led a pledge drive, with Father Doyle of Highland offering support and sponsoring organizational meetings. Parishioners raised money in many ways until land could be purchased, Murphy Construction was contracted, and the cornerstone was laid in 1925. The church, completed with a second-hand altar, was named "St. Thomas Parish" after the Apostle and was dedicated on November 11, 1925, by Msgr. Kraemer, assisted by Father Doyle; a chicken dinner followed for over 700 people. Father James Mlsna, newly ordained, was assigned as the first pastor and stayed with Father Doyle in Highland until a house was rented; the rectory was not built until 1935. After completion, Sunday Mass alternated at 8 am and 10 am between St. Thomas and St. John, Castle Rock, with Saturday evening confessions; weekday Masses were held in the rectory because the church was only heated on weekends. St. Thomas belonged to the La Crosse Diocese until January 15, 1946, when the Diocese of Madison was formed. In 2000 St. Thomas was linked with Ss. Anthony and Philip in Highland, and on July 1, 2023, St. Joseph in Dodgeville and Ss. Mary and Paul in Mineral Point were also linked with Montfort and Highland to become St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish. In recent decades the church building has been updated with handicapped accessibility, air conditioning, painting, basement remodeling, new bathrooms, storage, ceiling, lighting, carpeting, and kitchen appliances.
Contact
- 104 E. Park St., Montfort, WI 53569 (church)
- 106 E. Park St., Montfort, WI 53569 (parish office)
- 608-930-3392