About Stella Maris · Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Stella Maris Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Northern Door County, Wisconsin, founded in 2005 by uniting six historic Catholic worship sites in the Door peninsula: St. John the Baptist in Egg Harbor, St. Mary of the Lake in Baileys Harbor, St. Michael the Archangel in Jacksonport, St. Paul the Apostle in Fish Creek, St. Rosalia in Sister Bay, and a mission on Washington Island. The parish takes its name from Stella Maris, meaning 'Star of the Sea,' a traditional title of the Virgin Mary, and is guided by her patronage. It belongs to the Diocese of Green Bay and serves the Catholic community of Northern Door County through weekend Masses at five worship sites plus a Sunday Mass on Washington Island, faith formation for all ages, and a broad outreach ministry.
- Established
- 2005
- Patron
- Mary under the title Stella Maris (Star of the Sea)
- Rector
- Father Thomas Farrell
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
Stella Maris Parish offers a rare combination of historic small-town churches, a regional Catholic community, and year-round spiritual life across Northern Door County. Visitors and parishioners can attend daily Mass at rotating sites — Jacksonport, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, or Sister Bay — and Sunday Mass at one of five worship sites plus a Sunday Mass on Washington Island. The parish invests heavily in faith formation for all ages (OCIA/RCIA, an elementary program using 'Alive in Christ,' a Confirmation program using 'Chosen,' and a Families of Faith parent group), a Faith Community Nurse, vibrant music ministry, Christian Service & Responsibility outreach (including a food pantry and the ecumenical Conversation Partners program for immigrant English-language learners), and the historic stone churches that have anchored their communities since the 1870s.
Mass times at Stella Maris
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st Thursday of the month, 5:00–6:00 pm at the Baileys Harbor site (St. Mary of the Lake), and by appointment
- Sacrament of Reconciliation also available by appointment through the parish office
Adoration times
- (Eucharistic Adoration listed under Additional Worship on the parish website — see the parish calendar for the current schedule)
History of Stella Maris Parish
Stella Maris Parish was formed in 2005 by the unification of six Northern Door County Catholic worship sites: St. John the Baptist in Egg Harbor, St. Mary of the Lake in Baileys Harbor, St. Michael the Archangel in Jacksonport, St. Paul the Apostle in Fish Creek, St. Rosalia in Sister Bay, and the Washington Island mission. The name 'Stella Maris' (Star of the Sea) was chosen after parishioners Bev Njaa and Jean Casey placed it on the ballot, honoring the mosaic over the front entrance of St. Mary of the Lake in Baileys Harbor. The parish's mission statement is 'Stella Maris Parish, guided by our patron, lives and shares the mission of Jesus Christ,' and the parish prayer was written by Father David Ruby. In May 2010 the joint Pastoral and Finance Councils reaffirmed the goal of building Stella Maris as a vibrant parish serving five ministry sites and the Washington Island mission.
- Formed 2005 by merging six Northern Door County Catholic sites
- Patron: Mary, Stella Maris (Star of the Sea)
- Mission statement adopted and parish prayer written by Father David Ruby
- 20th anniversary celebrated in 2025 with the publication 'Celebrate — Stella Maris Parish'
St. John the Baptist Church — Egg Harbor (the founding site)
The Egg Harbor congregation was organized in 1876 by Father Engelbert Blum of Sturgeon Bay as the mission of St. John of the Desert, serving French-Canadian settlers. The first log church was built in 1878 on land donated by William and Margaret Carmody, followed by a larger frame church in 1884. In 1901 Charles and Delia LaRouche donated land on the present site, and the cornerstone of the present stone church was laid in 1909. The church was dedicated on October 5, 1910, with Bishop Fox of the Green Bay Diocese presiding. The first resident priest arrived in 1918, when the matching rectory was built. The congregation was formally named St. John the Baptist on December 6, 1908. The 100th Dedication Anniversary was celebrated on October 24, 2010 with Bishop Ricken and Father David Ruby.
- Mission organized 1876 by Father Engelbert Blum as St. John of the Desert
- First log church built 1878; larger frame church 1884
- Stone church: cornerstone 1909, dedicated October 5, 1910
- Parish formally named St. John the Baptist on December 6, 1908
- First resident priest arrived 1918; matching rectory built the same year
Architecture of St. John the Baptist Church
St. John the Baptist Church at 7708 State Highway 42 is an Early Gothic Revival house of worship designed by architect William E. Reynolds and built in 1909. It is constructed of locally quarried stone with structural framing of quarried stone blocks and infill of split boulders; the walls use colorful split-fieldstone cobbles trimmed with contrasting rock-faced limestone — the famous pink and gray 'hard heads' gathered from local farmers' fields. The front-gabled façade has corbiestep (crowstep) gables and a squat central tower with a rose window, pointed-arch bell cote, and simple cross. The side elevations feature window bays with gabled parapets and trios of narrow lancets lighting the nave. The Wisconsin Historical Society describes it as 'an exceptional example of Gothic architecture applied to a small-town church.' Renovation work includes a 1968/1969 rectory renovation, a 1973/1974 church renovation, and a 1991/1992 new altar.
- Architect: William E. Reynolds
- Style: Early Gothic Revival
- Wall material: Fieldstone with limestone trim
- Original construction cost: ~$2,000 (excluding altar and pews)
- Listed on Wisconsin Historical Society AHI #25989
The Five Worship Sites and Washington Island Mission
Stella Maris Parish is a multi-site parish. Its five door-county worship sites are St. Mary of the Lake in Baileys Harbor (the first Catholic church in Northern Door County, built 1874), St. John the Baptist in Egg Harbor (1878 log church, 1909 stone church), St. Michael the Archangel in Jacksonport (1882), St. Rosalia in Sister Bay (dedicated 1984), and St. Paul the Apostle in Fish Creek (1921). Catholics on Washington Island gather for Sunday Mass at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Each patron saint was chosen to represent a particular spiritual role in the parish family: Mary as Mother of the Church, John the Baptist as preparer, Michael the Archangel as protector, Rosalia as devotional inspirer, and Paul as messenger of the Word.
- St. Mary of the Lake — Baileys Harbor (1874)
- St. John the Baptist — Egg Harbor (1878/1909)
- St. Michael the Archangel — Jacksonport (1882)
- St. Rosalia — Sister Bay (1910/1984)
- St. Paul the Apostle — Fish Creek (1921)
- Washington Island Mass at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Stella Maris is designed for the whole family. Programs include OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking baptism or confirmation, Youth Faith Formation for Grades 1–8 using the 'Alive in Christ' textbook series, a Confirmation class for Grade 9 using the 'Chosen' video series, and the Families of Faith adult parent group that meets most Sundays after Mass at the Baileys Harbor site. The parish has invested in technology for faith formation, including new laptops and 32-inch flat-screen TVs for the classrooms. The Faith Formation Coordinator (Angela Packard; previously Linda Cummer) organizes the program.
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Grades 1–8: 'Alive in Christ' program
- Grades 9–10: 'Chosen' Confirmation program
- Families of Faith parent group
- Bible Study
Christian Service, Outreach, and Pastoral Care
Outreach is coordinated through the Christian Service & Responsibility (CSR) committee and includes the Stella Maris Food Pantry, the Mission Planning Committee, and the ecumenical Conversation Partners program that provides English-language practice for non-native English speakers in Door County. A Faith Community Nurse (Mary Fulwiler) provides pastoral health support. The parish also maintains a Pastoral Council chaired by Michelle Piatek and a Finance Council to support parish operations. Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick) is available through the parish office.
- Christian Service & Responsibility (CSR) committee
- Food Pantry
- Conversation Partners (ecumenical English-language mentoring)
- Faith Community Nurse (Mary Fulwiler)
- Pastoral and Finance Councils
- LoSEC (Local Safe Environment Coordinator) — Jim Slomski
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Father Thomas Farrell. Pastoral Associate Jan Malchow (formerly Becky Nash) supports parish ministry across the sites. Worship and Music Minister Kathy Sedan leads the music program. Faith Formation Coordinator Angela Packard oversees OCIA and youth programs. The Bookkeeper and Wedding Contact is Jim Slomski, who also serves as LoSEC (Local Safe Environment Coordinator). Lorie Orthaber serves as Receptionist/Secretary/Bulletin Editor. Pastoral Council Chair is Michelle Piatek and Secretary Trustee is Sharon Brabson. Father David Ruby, who previously served as pastor, wrote the parish prayer and presided at the 100th Dedication Anniversary in 2010.
- Pastor: Father Thomas Farrell
- Pastoral Associate: Jan Malchow
- Worship and Music Minister: Kathy Sedan
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Angela Packard
- Bookkeeper / Wedding Contact / LoSEC: Jim Slomski
- Faith Community Nurse: Mary Fulwiler
- Pastoral Council Chair: Michelle Piatek
- Secretary Trustee: Sharon Brabson
Visiting Stella Maris Parish
Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the parish's Masses. The parish office at 7710 State Highway 42 in Egg Harbor is open Monday–Friday 8:00 am–12:00 pm and 12:30–4:30 pm. The Egg Harbor worship site (St. John the Baptist Church) is set back about 65 feet from Highway 42 on the east side; the architecturally matched 1918 rectory sits immediately adjacent to the northwest. Parking is available on-site. The 'Stella Maris, Star of the Sea' mosaic over the front entrance of St. Mary of the Lake Church in Baileys Harbor is the artistic namesake of the entire parish.
- Parish office: 7710 State Highway 42, PO Box 49, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am–12:00 pm and 12:30–4:30 pm
- Phone: (920) 868-3241; fax (920) 868-1481
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Engelbert (E.) Blum of Sturgeon Bay1876-
Organized the original St. John of the Desert mission in Egg Harbor in 1876 and oversaw construction of the first log church in 1878.
- Father Nolin, O.M.I.circa 1901-1910
Pastor of Baileys Harbor who also oversaw the building of St. John the Baptist Church in Egg Harbor; cornerstone laid 1909, dedication October 5, 1910.
- First resident priest of Egg Harbor1918-
Arrived in 1918 when the matching rectory was built next to the church.
- Father David Rubyserved by 2014 (parish bulletin); through 100th Anniversary in October 2010
Pastor of Stella Maris Parish; wrote the parish prayer; presided at the 100th Dedication Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Church in 2010 with Bishop Ricken.
- Father Thomas Farrellcurrent (as of parish staff page)
Current pastor; led the parish's 20th anniversary celebration of unity in 2025.