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The History of St. Paul Church
In that same month Mrs. Charles Pein, Mrs. Peter Vanden Brand, Mrs. Herman Janssen and Mrs. Paul Smith met with the Rt. Rev. Paul P. Rhode in Green Bay to obtain the necessary permission of establishing a new parish.
Fr. Henry Halinde celebrated the first Baptism December 30th, 1923, the first marriage February 26th, 1927. The parishioners worked hard and long to finance the many needs which continually came up. Friends from the entire area were also generous with their labor and finances. St. Paul's will be ever indebted to Combined Locks Paper Co. for their generous aid and support through these difficult years. The Holy Name and Altar Societies were organized and raised money for the church bell, parsonage, furniture and fixtures.
Father De Wild was referred to as a financial wizard and promised to have the $2,000.00 debt repaid in a year. He did this and continued to find the resources to take care of other expenses that accumulated. The first church was remodeled from the partly burned out school. Until it was in readiness the first Mass was read in what is now Ryan's Bar. On Christmas Eve 1923 Mass was celebrated for the first time at St. Paul's. Rev. Henry Halinde, a native of Germany was appointed first Pastor.
In 1929 Anna Vanden Wymelenberg, who was Father De Wild's housekeeper, organized a Girl's Choir and became organist, choir director and church director as well. In September 1936 "Anna Van", as she became affectionately known, organized a Boy's Choir. On February 1st, 1942 a meeting was held and a building fund was started for a new church. The fund grew to a substantial sum in the ensuing years before the building of the new church was begun. In September 1945 two teaching nuns form St. Mary's in Kaukauna started a religious education program for the children.They were aided by Fr. De Wild. Nine years later the first three lay teachers took over the Saturday morning religion classes. By 1961 four more teachers were added.
On April 15th, 1962 a vote was taken to build a new church, rectory and hall. Ground breaking ceremonies took place on Palm Sunday 1963. The old rectory was converted to a convent for the Sisters of Bay Settlement who began that very year to conduct religion education classes for the children. These classes were held in the church basement of the parsonage. A house and garage was built for Fr. De Wild on property adjoining the old rectory. An extreme need for a catechetical center was soon felt because of crowded conditions. Construction began in October of 1967 and one year later the center was dedicated. In 1968 the Sole Singers had their beginning at St. Paul's under the direction of Rev. Thomas Downs.
The Story of St. Paul Parish continues to be written. We invite you to join us on our journey of faith and discovery. |
St Paul Catholic Church Office/Rectory: 920-788-4553 |
When the village of Combined Locks was incorporated in November of 1923, it already had a public school, a post office and a railway station. However, it had no church and the Catholic families who attended Mass at Kimberly, Little Chute and Kaukauna were becoming more anxious in securing a priest of their own and celebrating Mass in their own village.
The Bishop was favorably impressed and the new parish was organized in two short weeks under the name of St. Henry. Later the name was changed to St. Paul in honor of Paul Smith who contributed so much time, labor and financial aid to the project.
On January 4th, 1926 Rev. John De Wild arrived at St. Paul's to replace Rev. Halinde.
After twenty years of Educational and Pastoral ministry, the Sisters of St. Francis, Bay Settlement, left the parish. Our religious education program is managed and taught by our laity.
Father De Wild retired in January of 1962. His nephew Rev. E. B. Timmers received his assignment as pastor of St. Paul's.
On August 30th, 1970, Father Timmers announced his transfer. Our church family was greatly disturbed by the loss of our leader. Rev. Robert Vandenberg, native of the valley, replaced Fr. Timmers and helped heal this loss.