Pastoral Leader: Deacon Paul Zenefski
Our Church History
The parish was first served by the Crosier Fathers. Fr. Edward Francis Daems, a Crosier priest from Belgium is credited as the parish founder.
In 1877, Alex Franc donated three acres of land for the first church. The name of the church was given by Bishop Francis Xavier Krautbauer, the second Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay. In 1908 the wooden structure was torn down. Norbertine Fr. Jerome Gloudemans led the design and construction of the current church.
The Norbertines began ministry in Brussels in 1893 until 1986. The Rt. Rev Bernard Pennings, O. Praem. Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, West DePere, WI blessed the cornerstone of St. Francis Xavier Church on Sunday June 27, 1909. Bishop Joseph Fox of Green Bay dedicated the new worship space on November 23, 1909.
In 1920, the year the parish was incorporated in the Diocese of Green Bay, the rectory was built. In 1936, Fr. Gloudemans led the construction of the grotto in the cemetary next to the church. The grotto was built in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Diocese of Green Bay appointed diocesan priests from 1986 to 1993.
St. Francis Xavier, Brussels, and Our Lady of the Snows, Namur, merged as one parish in 1993. Thus, the name of the parish changed to: St. Francis and St. Mary Parish and based itself at the St. Francis Xavier Church site.
In 1994, Capuchin Fr. Pius Cotter was appointed pastor until 2013. During that time, updates included repairing and restoring twenty leaded stained glass church windows in the course of three years 1997-2000. Also, remodeling of the entrance in 2005, installing air conditioning in 2006, and refurbishing the pews and kneelers in 2007-2008. The church celebrated its Centennial on June 27, 2009. Finally in 2010, a new sanctuary altar and tabernacle were installed in the center of the sanctuary.
Our Mission Statement
• To invite and welcome all to join our faith-filled community.
• To offer opportunities for growth in relationships with God, others and self, through worship, education, evangelization, and service.
• To be responsible stewards ensuring these opportunities are available to future generations.
