SS Peter and Paul at 109 N. Olk St., Hortonville, WI 54944-0238 US - Welcome to Ss. Peter and Paul, located in Hortonville, WI

THE PAST IS PART OF US

Prior to October 7, 1897, Ss. Peter & Paul was attended as a mission by the resident pastor at New London. Before the year 1861 the Catholics residing in this vicinity were attended as a mission by pastors from Oshkosh and Appleton. In 1861, a frame church was erected (this building is still standing on the corner of Nash and Cedar St.) and from that time until 1870 the resident priest at New London made regular visits. From 1870-1879 the pastor from Greenville supplied the spiritual needs of approximately eighty families.

Our next church, which was located on the corner of Main & Olk St., was built in 1892 by Father Gasper who was stationed in New London. The new church was dedicated by Bishop Sebastian G. Messmaer of Green Bay on June 22, 1893. In 897 the parish was given its first resident priest, Father Joseph Hemmer, who built the first rectory in the spring of 1898. In 1928, a renovation and redecoration of the church was undertaken. Lighting fixtures were installed and other improvements and additions included the reconciliation room, carpeting, and front doors.

A school was built and dedicated in January 1905. The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, whose motherhouse is in Manitowoc, staffed the school until 1907. When they withdrew, a lay woman, Laura Klein, took over the management of the school until the Sisters of St Agnes of Fond du Lac took charge of students numbering between 50 and 70 in 1908. At this time the convent was attached to the school. By 1953 it was necessary for the new convent (currently the parish office) to be build thus allowing for larger space for an additional classroom. Additional land was purchased for a new eight room school and playground area in 1948, but groundbreaking didn’t occur until June 5, 1964. Construction work began immediately and was completed a year later on June 6, 1965, the day of dedication. After ninety-seven years of Catholic education at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, a decision was made in 2002 to create a partnership with St. Mary’s School in Greenville, where children from our parish now attend.

In 1989 a decision was made to raze the old rectory which was built in 1898. The cost of repair was the deciding factor. The parish built a new rectory on church property at 108 E. Cedar Street. The house was first occupied by Father Dennis Bergsbaken in the summer of 1991. A vote was taken and the decision was made to build a new church. A kick-off dinner was held on March 1, 1997, to begin the first phase of fundraising. After a few set backs, it was decided to build the church on the area located behind the school. Our beautiful new church was dedicated by Bishop David A. Zubik of the Diocese of Green Bay on June 6, 2004.

After 106 years of having a resident priest at Ss. Peter and Paul, Sister Mary Jo Kirt was assigned to our parish as Parish Director in November of 2003. Msgr. James Feely was appointed the parish’s sacramental minister. Father Jim continues to serve our parish, along with Greg Layton who was appointed parish director in May of 2008. Our parish currently serves 550 families.