St. Mary of the Oaks
On the brow of a hill, one-half mile east overlooking Indian Lake, rests a tiny stone chapel. The structure was built in 1857 by John Endres in fulfillment of a religious vow he made in return for protecting the lives of his family during a diphtheria epidemic.
Aided by his son Peter, Endres hauled several tons of stone to the hilltop with an ox team.
The building has been much venerated by local families for several generations. Family names identified with care of the chapel are Endres, Ballweg, and Marx.
The chapel was formally dedicated by Archbishop Messmer in 1926.
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Wisconsin Route 19 and Matz Road, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
