About St. Willebrord · Green Bay, Wisconsin
St. Willebrord Parish (affectionately known as "St. Willys") is a historic Roman Catholic parish in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin, founded in 1864 by Dutch immigrants and now one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Green Bay. Guided by the motto "Open Doors, Open Hearts," the parish is staffed by the Norbertine Fathers (Order of Praemostratensians) and serves a richly diverse, bilingual community with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish. The parish is also famously remembered as the church where legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi faithfully attended daily Mass for ten years during his tenure in Green Bay, and it is a stop on the Packers Heritage Trail.
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- St. Willibrord (Apostle of the Frisians, patron of the Netherlands)
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew G. Cribben, O. Praem. (Norbertine)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Willebrord is a small, diverse, Christ-centered community where newcomers are welcomed with the parish motto "Open Doors, Open Hearts." Members can worship in both English and Spanish, raise their children in a robust bilingual Faith Formation program (ages 4 through 11th grade), celebrate the Sacraments, and serve neighbors in need through ministries like the parish Food Pantry. Its historic downtown church is also a living landmark of Green Bay heritage — Vince Lombardi's home parish — making it a parish where Gospel life, immigrant tradition, and civic memory meet.
Mass times at St. Willebrord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 6:50 – 7:10 AM and 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Wednesday & Friday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Saturday: 6:50 – 7:10 AM
- Sunday (before Spanish Mass): 11:00 – 11:25 AM and 5:00 – 5:25 PM
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Willebrord Parish — 'St. Willys' to locals — describes itself with the motto 'Open Doors, Open Hearts.' In his welcome letter, the pastor emphasizes that the parish is one of the oldest in the Diocese of Green Bay and that, while its members come from many countries and speak multiple languages, the community intentionally works to build 'one community of faith' centered on the Eucharist and the Gospel. Hospitality to the homeless, the hungry, the poor, and the needy is a stated priority.
- Parish motto: 'Open Doors, Open Hearts'
- Affectionate nickname: 'St. Willys'
- Mission statement: 'Proclaiming the Word of God and service to all persons is the heart of the mission of St. Willebrord Parish.'
- Spanish-language mission statement also published in every bulletin
History of St. Willebrord
The Dutch Catholic families who founded St. Willebrord had previously worshipped at St. John's and then St. Mary's. In 1864 forty-seven of those families purchased a small building at Doty and Adams Streets and installed the Reverend William Verboort as first pastor. The original church was expanded in 1869 and replaced by the present Early Gothic Revival structure in 1891, designed by architect Adolphus Druiding. The Norbertine Fathers (Order of Premonstratensians) of St. Norbert Abbey assumed pastoral care of the parish in 1932 and continue to staff it today.
- 1864 — Parish organized by 47 Dutch immigrant families
- 1869 — Original church expanded
- 1891 — Cornerstone of present church laid June 14, 1891
- 1932 — Norbertine Fathers assume pastoral control
St. Willibrord & the Patron
The parish is dedicated to St. Willibrord (c. 658 – 739), the Anglo-Saxon missionary who became the Apostle of the Frisians and patron saint of the Netherlands. The parish's spelling 'Willebrord' (with an 'e') is a famous typo: stonemasons carving the saint's name into the original church mistakenly added the 'e,' and the misspelling was retained. His feast day is November 7.
- Patron: St. Willibrord
- Feast day: November 7
- Spelling origin: stonemason's mistake
Architecture & Building
The 1891 church is a brick, steel-framed Early Gothic Revival structure designed by Adolphus Druiding and is a recognized historic property in Brown County. The rectory at 209 S. Adams Street has been joined to the church by a modern addition, creating the parish campus parishioners use today.
- Architect: Adolphus Druiding
- Style: Early Gothic Revival
- Wall material: Brick
- Structural system: Steel frame
- Cornerstone laid June 14, 1891
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Willebrord is staffed by Norbertine priests and a multilingual lay team. The current pastor is the Reverend Andrew G. Cribben, O. Praem. (Fr. Andy), and the associate pastor is Fr. Jack MacCarthy. Lay staff handle faith formation, music, business operations, and communications in both English and Spanish.
- Rev. Andrew G. Cribben, O. Praem. — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Jack MacCarthy — Associate Pastor ([email protected])
- Cruz Delia Hernandez-Daul — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Abril Hernandez Tello — Coordinator of Faith Formation & Young Adults ([email protected])
- Alma Vázquez — Spanish Faith Formation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Ashley Muñoz — Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor ([email protected])
- Pamela Quick — Music Director ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a year-round Faith Formation program for children from age 4 through 11th grade, offered in both English and Spanish. Spanish classes meet Fridays 5:00–6:30 PM and Saturdays 9:00–10:30 AM, with separate registration in April and modest sliding fees per family. The program prepares children for First Eucharist, Confirmation, and ongoing sacramental life; parents of children receiving sacraments attend monthly meetings.
- English Faith Formation — Coordinator: Abril Hernandez Tello
- Spanish Faith Formation — Coordinator: Alma Vázquez
- Ages 4 through Grade 11
- Spanish class times: Fri 5:00–6:30 PM, Sat 9:00–10:30 AM
- Registration begins in April; English registration begins June 1
- 49 catechists and 24 classrooms serve the Spanish program
- Sacrament of First Eucharist celebrated Memorial Day weekend
Young Adults Ministry
Coordinated together with English Faith Formation by Abril Hernandez Tello, the parish maintains an active Young Adults ministry for parishioners in their post-college years, offering fellowship and faith formation tailored to that stage of life.
- Coordinator: Abril Hernandez Tello
Sacramental Preparation
St. Willebrord prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptism is celebrated on the first and third Saturdays of each month (outside Lent and Advent) and is scheduled at least two months in advance. First Eucharist is prepared through the Faith Formation program and celebrated Memorial Day weekend. Confirmation is conferred in the spring of 11th grade. OCIA (the English-language RCIA process) prepares adults for full reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Marriage requires at least six months of preparation with Fr. Andy. Quinceañera blessings and the traditional Three-Year Presentation (Presentación de 3 Años) are also celebrated with appropriate notice.
- Baptism: 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, 2+ months advance
- First Eucharist: after Faith Formation, Memorial Day weekend
- Confirmation: spring of 11th grade
- Marriage: minimum 6 months preparation with Fr. Andy
- OCIA: adults received at Easter Vigil
- Quinceañera: minimum 6 months advance reservation
- Presentación de 3 Años: contact parish office
Outreach & Community Service
Outreach is central to the parish's identity and is named explicitly in the mission statement. The parish runs a Food Pantry that students contribute to during Faith Formation classes, and the bulletin regularly lists partner agencies such as Casa Alba (Hispanic resources), Catholic Charities, and the Love Life Ministry, which parishioners are encouraged to support.
- Parish Food Pantry
- Casa Alba (Hispanic resources) — 920-445-0104, 314 S. Madison
- Catholic Charities — 920-272-8234
- Love Life Ministry — 505 Clinton
Music & Liturgy
Music for the parish's bilingual liturgical life is directed by Music Director Pamela Quick, supporting both English and Spanish Masses throughout the week.
- Music Director: Pamela Quick ([email protected])
Vince Lombardi & the Packers Heritage Trail
St. Willebrord is indelibly linked to Green Bay Packers history. Vince Lombardi, who arrived in Green Bay in 1959 to coach the Packers, attended daily 8:00 AM Mass at the parish for all ten years of his tenure in the city — parking in the back lot and entering through a side door. Father David Rondou, pastor for 19 years, was often on hand to greet him. Visiting players staying at the Hotel Northland walked to Sunday Mass here before game days. The Packers Heritage Trail Foundation placed a historical marker at the corner of Adams and Doty Streets in 2012 (Stop #10 on the City Walk), and the church remains a popular pilgrimage site for football fans.
- Stop #10 on the Packers Heritage Trail City Walk
- Historical marker placed 2012 by the Packers Heritage Trail Foundation
- Vince Lombardi's home parish 1959–1968 (approx.)
- Father David Rondou — pastor for 19 years, overlapped with Lombardi era
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Verboort1864–
First pastor of the parish, when 47 Dutch families formed the congregation.
- Father David Rondou
Pastor for 19 years, overlapping Vince Lombardi's tenure as Packers coach; former athletic director at St. Norbert College (1930–1934).