About Stella Maris · Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
Stella Maris Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Green Bay serving Wisconsin's Northern Door County. With worship sites in Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Jacksonport, Sister Bay, and Washington Island, the parish welcomes both year-round residents and the large seasonal community that returns each summer. The parish name comes from the 'Stella Maris' (Star of the Sea) mosaic over the entrance of the historic St. Mary of the Lake Church in Baileys Harbor, and its mission statement reads: 'Stella Maris Parish, guided by our patron, lives and shares the mission of Jesus Christ.'
- Established
- 2005
- Patron
- Our Lady, Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)
- Rector
- Father Jerry Pastors
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
Stella Maris Parish offers a rare opportunity to worship across six historic and beautiful church sites spread through Northern Door County, each with its own character and patron saint — from the lakeside harbor of St. Mary of the Lake in Baileys Harbor to the dramatic Door Peninsula churches in Sister Bay, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, and Jacksonport, plus an ecumenical worship site on Washington Island. The parish combines the warmth of a tight-knit community with a robust schedule of ministries — faith formation for youth and adults, a vibrant music ministry, catechists, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, ushers, and art & environment care. Seasonal visitors and year-round residents alike are welcomed with seasonal Mass schedules that expand during the summer months to serve the returning Door County community.
Mass times at Stella Maris
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes prior to all Weekend Masses
Adoration times
- Wednesday morning following Mass in Egg Harbor
Welcome & Parish Overview
Stella Maris Parish is a Roman Catholic faith community of the Diocese of Green Bay serving the Catholic community of Wisconsin's Northern Door County. The parish operates worship sites in Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Jacksonport, Sister Bay, and Washington Island, and seasonally adjusts Mass times to accommodate both residents and the large summer population of returning visitors. Each worship site is described by the parish as 'traditionally and historically beautiful in its own way,' with seating capacities ranging from the larger Sister Bay and Fish Creek churches down to the more intimate Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Jacksonport, and Washington Island sites.
History of Stella Maris Parish
In 2005, six historic Northern Door County Catholic congregations were united into one parish under the name 'Stella Maris.' The individual congregations traced back as far as 1874, when St. Mary of the Lake Church was built in Baileys Harbor as the first Catholic church in Northern Door County. Subsequent churches were built in Egg Harbor (1878), Jacksonport (1882), Sister Bay (1910), and Fish Creek (1921); Washington Island Catholics worship at an ecumenical Lutheran site as part of the same parish.
The Stella Maris Mosaic & Name
The parish takes its name from the mosaic placed above the front entrance of St. Mary of the Lake Church in Baileys Harbor in the latter 1950s. Artist Johann Minton of the Oakbrook-Esser Studios of Milwaukee created the work using thousands of small Orsoni tiles imported from Italy, to specifications from Father James Noonan, O.M.I. (pastor 1956–1969) and donor Harry Ridings. Mary is depicted with outstretched hands welcoming a fleet of ships into the quiet harbor of her protection. Father Eugene Tremblay, O.M.I. later documented that the three maritime flags on the larger vessel's mast spell O.M.I. — a tribute to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate religious order.
The Stella Maris Painting
A second artistic thread in the parish's naming story is the Stella Maris painting commissioned in 1923 by Chicago Archbishop Mundelein from artist Frederic Victor Poole. The commission was never honored, but the painting eventually came to St. Rosalia Church in Sister Bay through the generosity of Florence Colburn Wilterding, a friend of parishioner Jean Casey. Rev. Stoeckel had it first placed in the Mary Chapel and later moved to the back wall of the main sanctuary so more parishioners could see it.
Parish Mission & Prayer
The parish mission statement reads: 'Stella Maris Parish, guided by our patron, lives and shares the mission of Jesus Christ.' A Stella Maris Parish Prayer was composed by Father David Ruby to give voice to the community's identity as Our Lady, Star of the Sea — a guiding light of faith for all.
Worship Sites of the Parish
The parish operates six worship sites across Northern Door County. Sister Bay and Fish Creek are the largest by seating capacity, followed by Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Jacksonport, and Washington Island. Each site carries its own patron and history: St. Mary of the Lake (Baileys Harbor), St. John the Baptist (Egg Harbor), St. Michael the Archangel (Jacksonport), St. Rosalia (Sister Bay), St. Paul the Apostle (Fish Creek), and the ecumenical site on Washington Island.
- St. Mary of the Lake — Baileys Harbor (1874)
- St. John the Baptist — Egg Harbor (1878)
- St. Michael the Archangel — Jacksonport (1882)
- St. Rosalia — Sister Bay (1910)
- St. Paul the Apostle — Fish Creek (1921)
- Washington Island ecumenical Catholic worship site
Devotions & Additional Worship
Beyond Sunday and weekday Masses, the parish sustains a steady rhythm of Marian and Eucharistic devotion: weekly Saturday Rosary, a First Saturday Mass with Rosary, a Wednesday-morning devotion in Egg Harbor following Mass, and the ecumenical Washington Island Mass.
- Rosary — Saturdays 8:30–9:30 AM in Baileys Harbor
- First Saturday Mass at 7:30 AM followed by Rosary at 8:00 AM in Baileys Harbor
- Wednesday morning devotion following Mass in Egg Harbor
- Washington Island Mass — 1:00 PM (Third Thursday)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Guided by its Education Commission, Stella Maris Parish offers faith formation opportunities for both youth and adults. The parish's stated goal is to provide a variety of formation opportunities for all members of the parish, rooted in the truth that spiritual growth is a necessary element in the lifelong faith journey.
Youth Faith Formation & Catechists
Catechists teach from 1st grade through Confirmation, working closely with the Coordinator and following a curriculum outlined by the Diocese. They share their faith with children through scripture, workbooks, service projects, and hands-on activities. Contact: Angela Packard at (920) 421-2195.
Adult Faith Formation
Adult faith formation opportunities complement the youth programs, supporting lifelong learning and faith sharing for all members of the Catholic community. The Education Commission works to form disciples who know Jesus through witnessing the gospel in prayer and daily life.
Ministry Opportunities & Stewardship
Stella Maris Parish is built on the stewardship commitment of ordinary parishioners who serve in a wide range of liturgical and pastoral roles. Trained lay ministers choose their preferred Mass times and sites; many of the parish's ministries coordinate through Mary Gomoll at (920) 562-4020.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Adult Altar Servers
- Youth Altar Servers (3rd grade and older, must have received First Communion)
- Readers / Lectors
- Music Ministry (Choir, Cantors, Instrumentalists)
- Ushers
- Sacristans
- Art and Environment
Music Ministry
Musicians, cantors, and singers help the congregation raise its voice in praise. Choirs are formed for special liturgies such as Christmas, the Triduum, Easter, First Communion, and Confirmation. Trained musicians and instrumentalists are always welcome to enrich parish liturgies. Contact the parish office at (920) 868-3281.
Art & Environment / Sacristans
The Art and Environment ministry tends to plants, fresh flowers, liturgical colors, and seasonal symbols of the church year. Sacristans prepare the worship space before Mass and ensure all liturgical roles are filled, also cleaning vessels and assisting at weddings and funerals.
Parish Staff
The parish staff supports liturgy, faith formation, administration, maintenance, and pastoral care across all six worship sites. Father Jerry Pastors serves as Pastor, supported by two Deacons and a team of coordinators for faith formation, weddings, funerals, finances, and worship-site administration.
- Father Jerry Pastors — Pastor
- Reverend Thomas Farrell — Business Manager / LoSec
- Deacon Tony Abts
- Deacon Mary Niedzwiecki
- Larry Leporte — Bookkeeper
- Angela Packard — Faith Formation / Funeral Coordinator
- Lorie Orthober — Wedding Coordinator
- Jan Malchow — Pastoral Associate
- Jim Charles — Maintenance Coordinator
- Diane Kahlscheuer — Worship and Administrative Coordinator for Washington Island
- Mary Gomoll — Ministry contact (Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Sacristans, Art & Environment)
- Laura Paider — Secretary / Receptionist / Bulletin Editor
Visiting & Contact
The parish office can be reached by phone Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM at (920) 868-3241. Visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass at any of the six worship sites and to experience the history and beauty of each Door County church.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Noonan, O.M.I.1956–1969
Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake, Baileys Harbor; commissioned the Stella Maris mosaic with donor Harry Ridings
- Father Eugene Tremblay, O.M.I.1969–1987
Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake; documented the meaning of the Stella Maris mosaic and its O.M.I. maritime flags
- Father Matt Simonar2000–
Diocesan priest appointed in 2000 to serve all Northern Door County parishes
- Father Jerry Pastors
Current pastor; welcomed the parish community in the parish's website message