Saint Lawrence Parish History
Our parish's rich cultural history began in 1899, when 33 Polish families decided that their spiritual needs would be served by a parish of their own, using their mother language. On December 31, 1899, these families collected $925.00 to purchase land for their church. In 1900, they purchased an additional eight lots for $800.00.
On March 14, 1900, Articles of Incorporation were issued. Work on church construction began in August 1903 and it was dedicated on October 15, 1904. Parish members placed the parish under Saint Lawrence's patronage, naming it after the patron saint of its oldest parishioner, Lawrence Kleppin.
In September 1904, Saint Lawrence opened its first school, staffed by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi from Milwaukee. Initial enrollment was about 100 students. In August 1910, Felician Sisters took over teaching duties, remaining at Saint Lawrence until 1971.
On May 18, 1914, Saint Lawrence Church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the same location (on the west side of 10th Avenue), but planned so it would convert easily into a school. In June 1931, due to a growing parish community and overcrowded school rooms, construction began on a new church, located across the street at the corner of 10th Avenue North and Fremont Street. Parishioners dedicated the new church at its present location on June 12, 1932.
In April 1950, church members decided to build a new rectory (current location) and remodel the former into a Sisters' home. After the nuns left, their home was converted into a domestic abuse shelter known as the Family Center.
The school lost its three remaining Felician sister in 1971 and the school continued with lay teachers. Work on the new school began in May 1974. It was dedicated June 1, 1975 and the old school was demolished. Saint Lawrence School became part of Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools consolidated system in 1999. Currently, Saint Lawrence Early Childhood Center offers child care, and preschool as part of Assumption Catholic Schools, and is a host site for Wisconsin Rapids' public school 4K program.
Church renovations were done in 1998 and 2003.
Our parish's rich cultural history began in 1899, when 33 Polish families decided that their spiritual needs would be served by a parish of their own, using their mother language. On December 31, 1899, these families collected $925.00 to purchase land for their church. In 1900, they purchased an additional eight lots for $800.00.
On March 14, 1900, Articles of Incorporation were issued. Work on church construction began in August 1903 and it was dedicated on October 15, 1904. Parish members placed the parish under Saint Lawrence's patronage, naming it after the patron saint of its oldest parishioner, Lawrence Kleppin.
In September 1904, Saint Lawrence opened its first school, staffed by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi from Milwaukee. Initial enrollment was about 100 students. In August 1910, Felician Sisters took over teaching duties, remaining at Saint Lawrence until 1971.
On May 18, 1914, Saint Lawrence Church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the same location (on the west side of 10th Avenue), but planned so it would convert easily into a school. In June 1931, due to a growing parish community and overcrowded school rooms, construction began on a new church, located across the street at the corner of 10th Avenue North and Fremont Street. Parishioners dedicated the new church at its present location on June 12, 1932.
In April 1950, church members decided to build a new rectory (current location) and remodel the former into a Sisters' home. After the nuns left, their home was converted into a domestic abuse shelter known as the Family Center.
The school lost its three remaining Felician sister in 1971 and the school continued with lay teachers. Work on the new school began in May 1974. It was dedicated June 1, 1975 and the old school was demolished. Saint Lawrence School became part of Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools consolidated system in 1999. Currently, Saint Lawrence Early Childhood Center offers child care, and preschool as part of Assumption Catholic Schools, and is a host site for Wisconsin Rapids' public school 4K program.
Church renovations were done in 1998 and 2003.