St. John Neumann Parish
Office Hours
Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00am-1:00pm
2400 W. State Road 59 - Waukesha WI 53189-6323
P: 262-922-9285
Save the Date: St. John Neumann Parish Festival- June 14-16
Our History
St. John Neumann Congregation was canonically established in March, 1981 in response to a petition to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee from St. Mary Parish to relieve overcrowding. Reverend Michael Neuberger was appointed the first pastor on July 1, 1981, and offered the first Mass on September 13, 1981 in the gym of Rose Glen School. For the next six years, the new congregation established a special spirit with the understanding that the people are the church - not the building. The congregation was formally dedicated by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland on November 29, 1981. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee purchased 24 acres of land at the present church site in January 1982, but slow growth within the area postponed the ability to build. Meanwhile, the faith community grew strong at its temporary Rose Glen School home.
In 1986, approval was received from the Archdiocese to proceed with building on the property. Construction continued through the summer of 1987, and was completed in September. The first Mass in the church was held on the sixth anniversary of the first Mass at Rose Glen, on November 29, 1987. In June 1993, Reverend Neuberger, received a new assignment. Reverend Thomas Demse was assigned as the second pastor and served through January 1997. Reverend Dennis Budka served as the first Associate Pastor from 1994 through June of 2000, when he was reassigned to minister in Fond du Lac. The third pastor, Reverend. Glen Graczyk, was installed by Bishop Richard Sklba on July 6, 1997 and retired from active ministry in July 2003. Reverend Donald Zerkel came out of retirement to serve as interim pastor until Reverend James Loehr was assigned as pastor on June 22, 2004, and served until his retirement on June 20th, 2010. Reverend John P. Schreiter served as pastor June 27, 2010 through June 8, 2012. Reverend Curt Frederick began ministry as pastor on June 10, 2012. On July 1, 2017, the Catholic Community of Waukesha was formed clustering the four catholic parishes under a single pastoral team led by Reverend Howard Haase as pastor. He served Reverend Patrick Heppe, was appointed on June 16, 2019, and our current pastor is Fr. Matthew Widder.
THE EAGAN CHAPEL STORY
During the last three years at Rose Glen, the parish was blessed with a visitor from the Marquette High School staff, Reverend John Eagan, SJ. who served as the first help out priest. Though only a weekend visitor, he soon became “one of the family”. In late 1986, illness caused him to miss more and more of these visits, and early in 1987, he was diagnosed with advanced cancer. In a move which characterized his love of life and nature, he chose to live naturally — including one last bike excursion -- over prolonged treatment. He went home to the Lord on Palm Sunday, 1987. The chapel is named in his honor.
OUR PATRON SAINT
St. John Neumann Congregation is named after the first American male saint, John Neumann, CSSR, the fourth bishop of Philadelphia (1811-1860). He was born in Prachaitz, Bohemia. After completing seminary studies in 1835, his ordination was delayed because his native Diocese of Budweis was sufficiently staffed with priests. He decided to become a missionary in the United States, and was finally ordained by the Diocese of New York after serving four years near Buffalo, NY. After being consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852, he established over 80 churches and 140 schools. Bishop Neumann, while small of stature and humble in manner, possessed superb organizational ability and knowledge of six languages. He was beatified in 1963 and canonized in June 1977.
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