According to the History of Wood County, Wisconsin , the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was organized as a mission by Father August Van Sever, pastor of St.. Philomena's Parish in Rudolph, in 1900. A church was built by the people of Nekoosa in that year. Father Van Sever offered Mass here till the summer of 1901.

First Resident Pastor

On July 28, 1901, Father Joseph Feldman was appointed by Bishop James Schwebach as the first resident pastor of the newly formed parish, having at that time about 80 families. Father Feldman was born in Germany in 1872, where he attended school before coming to the U. S. in 1895. He attended St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1901, where he remained to the time of his death on December 28, 1927.

The construction of the parish house was started in May of 1902, and the next year the original church was enlarge, having been built on what is now the corner of Prospect Avenue and Seventh Street, and the rectory having been built on the adjoining property south of the church.

By 1908, the fast-growing parish of 125 families realized the urgent need of a Catholic grade school. Additional property was bought on the corner of Seventh Street and Vilas Avenue. On this lot in May, 1908, the first parochial school---a four-room brick building---was started, and it was completed by November l, of the same year. Two of the rooms were used for classes, and the other two rooms were used for the residence of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Milwaukee, who were assigned as teachers for the eight grades.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Court 1458, Catholic Order of Foresters, was organized for the men on Dec. 14, l908.

By 1913, a home was rented for the sisters' residence in order to make available more classrooms for the increased number of school children. The record of 1923 indicated a school enrollment of 140 children and about 189 families as members of the parish.

Mission Assigned

All Saints' Parish, Babcock, was assigned as a mission of Nekoosa in 1901, and was attended by Father Feldman until January, 1908, when Babcock was annexed to Pittsville. Then for 18 months prior to 1910, Father Feldman had services is a public building Port Edwards, which he discontinued after the completion of the interurban street car line between Wisconsin Rapids and Nekoosa.

During the year 1921, two more lots were purchased for the stated prices of $500 and $350, respectively. One of these was used for a sisters' home.

Out of Debt

The parish debt at the end of 1922 was $6650, and the parish had grown to approximately 150 families. By means of special collections and the work of the Ladies' Aid and of the Altar Society, for the first time in its history the Sacred Heart Parish was out of debt by the end of the year 1928.

Father Joseph Feldman died on December 26, 1927, the result of a fall as he was taking Holy Communion to a parishioner. The parish was without a resident pastor then for three months. Weekday Mass was offered by some of the neighboring priests, and on Sundays the Sacred Heart Missionary Fathers of Sparta came for services, particularly Father A. M. Schorn, M.S.C.

Father Feldman was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Nekoosa, and a fitting monument in his memory was purchased by the people of the parish for $606.25.

In February of 1928, Father Theodore Fraling was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. The sisters' home was moved from Prospect Avenue to Vilas Avenue, and was there remodeled and an addition was built to provide more rooms for the teachers.

The sisters' home was moved also to make a new location for the new church that was being planned. Already in 1929, $3000 was collected for the construction of a new church.

During the year 1930, a house and lot on the corner of Prospect Avenue and Sixth Street was bought for $6500 in order to provide extra room for construction of the new church. This home was used as a parish-owned residence for the janitor.

The new church fund continued to increase by another $4590.06 in 1930. In this same year of 1930, two months were spent in the obtaining of materials and in the digging of the basement for the new church, done entirely by the men of the parish under the direction of Father Fraling. Some of the materials were from the demolition of the dance hall located at the confluence of Moccasin Creek and the Wisconsin River.

The St. Theresa Court 676, the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters, was organized on March 8, 1931.

New Church

Early in 193l, the general contract for the building of the church was let to the P . J. Pappenfus Construction Company for the bid of $19,000. Father Fraling himself was the active supervisor of the entire construction, thereby keeping the over-all cost to a very minimum. The basement was dug by hand and with a horse and scoop. And yet the total cost of the completed building was $34,630.86.

To this amount must be added the installation of the Communion rail, stations, the main altar and side altars, the art glass windows, new statues, and the interior decorations. In the following year of 1933, the new organ was installed at a cost of $2,792.50. The Verlinden eight rank pipe organ has recently been appraised at $90,000. New pews were obtained in 1936 for a cost of $2,450. The over-all cost of the new church and its contents amounted to $44,912.36.

The total debt of the parish at the end of the year 1935 was merely $1,200. The Catholic Foresters (men) contributed $400 for the main altar; and the Women Foresters contributed $375 for the side altars; and the Ladies' Aid and Altar Society earned more than $1500 for the windows and Communion railing.

School Overcrowded

In the latter part of August, 1936, Father Fraling left Nekoosa and his successor was Father Louis J. Brudermanns.

On Oct. 19, 1936, on the occasion of his visit to the parish to administer the sacrament of Confirmation, the Most Rev. William R. Griffin, Auxiliary Bishop of La Crosse, advised the pastor, Father Brudermanns and the trustees to remedy the conditions of Sacred Heart School.

The school, built in 1908, had become overcrowded. It was not heated properly nor ventilated properly, and it was in need of extensive repairs.

On Feb. 28, 1937, it was decided to proceed with the construction of a new six-room school.

Carl Billmeyer of Wisconsin Rapids was engaged to draw up preliminary plans. His Excellency, The Most Rev. Alexander J. McGavick, Bishop of La Crosse approved the plans on May 18, 1937, and authorized the congregation the proceed. The complete plans and specifications were approved by the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin on June 11, 1937. The advertising for bids followed.

Bids Let

On June 17, 1937, Father Edmund Cramer was appointed pastor to succeed Father Brudermanns who was transferred to Adams-Friendship, St. Joseph's Parish.

On opening the bids on Monday, July 12, 1937, the low bids on the building were found to total $41,997; and the contracts were let as follows: A. F. Billmeyer and Son for the General Construction, $31,055; Eron Plumbing and Heating for the plumbing contract, $3,733; and Kretsch Brothers Inc., for the electrical wiring, $1,050.

On July 19, 1937, the work of demolishing the old school was begun by the men of the parish. Two weeks later, on Aug. 2, the contractors began the work of constructing the new school on the same site.

The basement of the church was fitted out to contain four classrooms to conduct school until the new school would be completed. The labor of demolishing the old school, as well as fitting the church basement for school purposes, was entirely donated by the members of the parish and others working in the evening hours. By December 28, 1937, the new school building was completed; and when all items were included, the cost of the new school amounted to $46,406.48.

On Jan. 2, 1938, the new schoolrooms were blessed by the pastor, Father Cramer; and on Jan. 4, classes were first held.

The day for the blessing of the cornerstone and for the solemn dedication was set for May 15, 1938. The cornerstone was preserved from the old school and a A1937@ was inscribed on the opposite side of the A1908@ to serve as the new one.

His Excellency, Bishop McGavick, in the presence of a large number of priests and lay people, blessed the cornerstone and solemnly dedicated the school to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of May 15.

The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi of Milwaukee continued in charge of the school.

Father Cramer worked diligently to lessen the debt of the parish, which by the end of 1941 had been reduced to $32,200, paying off an average of more than $3,000, plus approximately $1,500 in interest per year. He also arranged for many minor repairs to the rectory during his five years as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. On March 12, 1942, he was transferred from Nekoosa to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Marshfield.

In 1940, St. Alexander's Parish was started in Port Edwards, taking from Sacred Heart Parish of Nekoosa a great number of parishioners.

Christian Mother's Society

The Christian Mother's Society was organized on September 24, 1936, under the spiritual direction of Father Brudermanns.

The Holy Name Society was organized under the leadership of Father Cramer in 1939.

Father Herbert J. Hoffman came to Nekoosa on March 12, 1942, succeeding Father Cramer. His death did not permit him to become very active, and yet he did accomplish many projects for the greater welfare of Sacred Heart Parish. He arranged for the remodeling of the kitchen in the rectory, and other necessary repairs at a cost of approximately $1,265, along with the lowering of the parish debt to $25,000 by the end of the year 1943, when he was transferred to St. Patrick's Parish in Halder.

During his stay here, Father Hoffman was assisted by Father Alfred Stemper, M. S.C., of Sparta Scared Heart Fathers from Aug. 30, 1942 to Feb. 5, 1943; and after that by Father Peter J. Leketas, until June 21, 1943.

Father Alvin J. Daul came to Nekoosa on Dec. l, 1943, succeeding Father Hoffman. Father Daul immediately set out to refinance the parish school debt of $25,600 by obtaining lower interest rates, thereby saving the parish approximately $280 per year, or a total of $1,400 over the period of five years. Each year the debt was lowered till the final note of $8,000 was paid in 1948.

A new addition was added to the sister's home in 1945 and the church and three parish residences were insulated. In 1947 the interior of the church was redecorated and aisles were covered with rubber tile. New furnishings in the church were obtained, such as a key-safe tabernacle, baptismal font, prie-dieu, and a sedelia in the sanctuary, at a total cost of $7,700.

Hot Lunch Program

Father Francis Mulligan was appointed in Aug. 27, 1950 as successor to Father Daul, who was transferred to St. Mary's Parish in Wausau. The church basement hall was fitted out in first class condition and named Fraling Hall in memory of Father Fraling. New equipment and cabinets were installed in the Fraling Hall kitchen for the beginning of government-sponsored hot lunch program, in the summer of 1951 for the benefit of the school children. Asphalt tile flooring was installed throughout the hall and a stage was built and furnished with curtains. In 1952 the school rooms were painted and the interior of the rectory was painted, and other minor repairs of the property were done.

Father John Velutis, a displaced priest and a seminary teacher from Lithuanian, came in April, 1952 to help at Port Edwards and Nekoosa, and remained here till February 25, 1953, thereby providing the opportunity of three Masses at both Port Edwards and Nekoosa on Sundays and holy days.

The Parent-Teachers' Club was organized in September 1950 for the purpose of supplying necessary teaching equipment and properties for the school.

On Dec. 12, 1952, Father Lavern H. Timmerman, was appointed to succeed Father Mulligan, who was transferred to St. Mary's Parish in Tomah. Since Father Velutis left Nekoosa, the young priest-teachers of Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse came each Sunday to provide a third Mass at Nekoosa and at Port Edwards from March 1, 1953 until June 7, 1953, when Father James O'Connell was appointed as part-time assistant as well as head master of Assumption High School. On July 1, 1954, Father Myron Meinen, newly ordained, was appointed to take over the duties of Father O'Connell as the part-time assistant, when Father O'Connell as appointed as administrator of St. Alexander's Parish in Port Edwards.

In 1957 Father Charles Brady brought his Irish wit and wisdom to the scene. In 1961 under his leadership an addition to the school of two rooms and a library. The enrollment of the Sacred Heart School was 288 pupils in 1962.

The church basement was paneled and a tile ceiling was installed in 1971, during Father Angelo Comoretto's tenure as pastor. Also, at this time, the stoker furnace was removed from the church basement and was replaced with a gas furnace.

In conjunction with the 75th Jubilee Year, and under Father Donald Wilger's guidance, the church was again extensively redecorated in 1974. In addition to being completely carpeted, the interior painted, the pews refinished, and the atmosphere completely revitalized, the sanctuary was refurbished with appropriate furniture. The tabernacle was placed on the side altar, and the risen Christ installed.

In 1979 the new rectory was constructed. The rectory included rooms for the housekeeper, a consultation room, a meeting room, and an office for the Director of Religious Education. In 1975, and for the following eight years Sacred Heart has the service of four deacons. The first was Rev. Mr. Francis Mancl, the Father Larry Dunklee, Ray Kaluzny, and Joe Konopacky.

In 1988 the Sacred Heart Foundation was created to receive gifts and bequests for the benefit of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Many improvements have been made possible by the Foundation which included in part: a computer lab for the school, air conditioning in the church, a new boiler in the school and a new roof. The principle investment is never spent but keeps on working with the interest for Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart School.

Under the leadership of Bishop F.W. Freking and more particularly under Bishop John Paul, parish councils took on an added importance and underwent new organizing. With the emphasis on Consultation in the Parish and Deanery Bishop Paul led Sacred Heart and all other local Catholic Parishes to focus on four areas of church activities. These are: Family Life, Justice and Peace, Liturgy, and Education. Under the Pastorate of Father Dennis Stanchik, the parish council grew. In a 1990 parish mission statement it states, "We the people of Sacred Heart Parish are grateful to share in the life of the Risen Lord. ...we join with other peoples in Worship, Teaching, and Service. To do this effectively, we must always concern ourselves with every member of our Parish Community: from the newly born to the eldest member."

Since 1991 Father John Swing has been Pastor at Sacred Heart. In November of 1996 the pastorate of St. Alexander's was also added. In July of 1997 Sister Catherine Kaiser was appointed Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart/St. Alexander's.

In the year 2000 Sacred Heart has a membership of 730 family with 1783 individuals. Sacred Heart School consolidated with other local Catholic schools last year so students now attend Assumption Middle School and Assumption High School. Sacred Heart has an enrollment of 78 students, K-4 to 6th grade. The religious education program has an enrollment of 250 students.

As part of the Centennial celebration in September of this year, the Sacred Heart Adult Choir produced a recording which in now out in CD and cassette tape.

Ministries include visits to the County Jail, bringing the Eucharist to Riverview Hospital patients, and outreach to the homebound. The Sacred Heart Parish Council of Catholic Women prepares a meal for families and friends at the time of a funeral. The newly formed chapter of the Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart and St. Alexander's now has 70 members.

The following are the members of the Sacred Heart Parish who have been ordained to the priesthood or who have entered the religious life; Father Carl A. Wohlmuth, ordained Feb. 2, 1943, a son of Mrs. Elizabeth Bartlett.

Sister Mary Carlene Schenk, Sister Mary Philomena Poullie, Sister Irene Marie Poullie, Sister Mary Faith Danno, Sister Mary Benet Pazurek, Sister Ann William Wekwejt, and Sister Mary Michaclyn Gavre, all of whom are members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Milwaukee.