Pioneer St. James Catholic Church
of Menomonee Falls
Congregation began in Irish settlement between old Lannon Springs and Templeton about 1841. First mass was said in James Brogan’s log cabin.
Original church built of local stone and dedicated, 1848, by parishioners and Fr. James Colton, first resident pastor. Church enlarged and tower built in 1886. From 1907 to 1933 most parish groups organized. Church steeple destroyed by lightning fire Aug. 1921 and not restored.
Centennial of church celebrated, 1948, with Archbishop Moses E. Kiley.
From 1954 to 1961: new buildings included school, convent, and church to hold 600.
Historical Chapel restored in 1971.
The convent, & barracks were torn down and a new church was built in 1998-‘99
Marker is on Wisconsin Route 74 ¼ mile south of County Route V, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
