HISTORY OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC CHURCH (Version 2)

         HISTORY OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC CHURCH

     Before 1907 the Catholics who lived in Dartford and on the surrounding farms who wanted to attend Mass would have to travel to one of the surrounding towns in order to do so.  St. Patrick in Ripon, St. John the Baptist in Princeton or St. Stanislaus in Berlin were the Catholic churches most often attended by those able to travel that far.  Traveling to church by horse and buggy consumed almost all of Sunday, making Catholics wish for a church closer to home.

     In 1907, the same year that the name of the Village of Dartford was changed to the Village of Green Lake, Pleasant Point Hotel, located on the north shore of Green Lake, was owned by brothers, George and James Ross.  They were agreeable business men wishing to accommodate their guests, many of whom came by train and stayed for the summer.  (While George and James were not Catholic, one of their wives was, and understood the desire of their Catholic guests to attend Mass.)

     In the spring of 1907 George Ross talked to Fr. Thomas J. Cosgrove, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Ripon and suggested to him the idea of conducting Catholic services during the summer months for the guests at his hotel.  As many of the Catholic Dartford residents had attended Mass in Ripon at St. Patrick Church, and had their children baptized there, or had received other sacraments administered there, Fr. Thomas Cosgrove, the pastor of St. Patrick Parish, was already acquainted with them.  With the offer of a suitable place to hold Masses, he readily agreed to offer some there.

     The first Holy Mass celebrated in this area was said in July, 1907, in the home of Dennis McCarthy.  Fr. Cosgrove continued to hold Masses each Sunday in July and August in one of the cottages on the lake shore, most of them at the Dennis McCarthy cottage, but also in the homes of Thomas Collins, George O'Callaghan, Mary O'Callaghan, Matthew DeMoss and John Broder.  Fr. Cosgrove encouraged the families at Green Lake to build a church and a building fund was started.  $824.42 was raised that summer.

     At the end of the summer, in September, 1907, a meeting of Catholic men was held at Pleasant Point Hotel.  Present were Dennis McCarthy, Thomas A. Collins, George O'Callaghan, John O'Callaghan, Matthew DeMoss, Joseph DeMoss, John Broder, John Hoffmann, and Thomas Keenan.  They wished to establish a permanent church in Green Lake.  As a preliminary step they voted to purchase a plot of land and authorized Thomas Keenan to do the purchasing.  Two lots on the corner of Lake and Ruth streets were bought from Wilkie Walker for $600.  The next year Joseph Klein of Chicago (who was a son-in-law of Dennis McCarthy and a generous man who came to Green Lake every summer) bought an adjoining lot on Ruth Street and donated it to the church.

     During the winter months of 1907-08 no services were held at Green Lake.  The following summer Masses were celebrated in various homes and cottages, including the Dennis McCarthy cottage, the pavilion on top of the boathouse of Geo. O'Callaghan, and the home of Thomas Collins.  In the fall and early winter of 1908 Fr. Cosgrove conducted services in a vacant house on Illinois Avenue later owned by Matthew DeMoss.

     Meanwhile work had been started on building the new church.  On Sunday, Aug. 23, 1908, the corner stone for it was laid by the Most Reverend Sebastian G. Messmer, Archbishop of Milwaukee.  (At this time Green Lake was in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.)  Archbishop Messmer was assisted in the ceremony by Rev. F. J. Fliss, Rev. Eugene McCarthy, Rev. John Zeller and Rev. Thomas Cosgrove.  The church was built by a local carpenter, Charles Butler, at a cost of $2,800.  It was located approximately where the steeple now stands in the Garden of Prayer, and looked across Lake Street to Dartford Bay.  (The present development between Lake Street and the bay had not yet obscured the water.)  The church was ready for services by the end of the year.

     The first official meeting of the parish was held Oct. 27, 1908, at the home of John Broder.  It was called to order by Fr. Cosgrove for the purpose of incorporating the congregation.  Summer residents were included.  Thomas Collins was elected secretary and Matthew DeMoss treasurer.  The articles of incorporation were signed Nov. 6, 1908, by Sebastian G. Messmer, M. A. DeMoss, and Thomas A. Collins.  Their signatures were witnessed by E. J. McCarthy, B. Grandt, and Thomas Keenan.

     Formal dedication services of the newly built church were conducted by Fr. Cosgrove, authorized for that purpose by Archbishop Messmer, on Sunday, January 10, 1909.  The new church was dedicated to God under the patronage of the Immaculate Virgin Mary with the specific title of "Our Lady of the Lake."

     Beginning in January, 1909, Our Lady of the Lake Parish was a mission dependent on St. Patrick Parish.  Regular services were held by Fr. Thomas Cosgrove, who came from Ripon each Sunday for that purpose.  Thomas Collins and Matthew DeMoss were named the first trustees, directors and officers for a two year term.      Fr. Cosgrove was transferred to Fond du Lac in the fall of 1910, and Fr. James Condon became pastor of St. Patrick's in Ripon with Our Lady of the Lake as a mission.  In 1912 Fr. Condon was succeeded by Fr. Michael Norton who also took charge of Our Lady of the Lake as a mission.

     Fr. Norton was an ardent sportsman encouraging boys to play baseball.  He knew Gabby Harnett of the Chicago Cubs and took the boys to some of the games.  He was a great story-teller, and when invited to dinner, he entertained the family with his humorous stories, mostly about priests and the Irish.

     Fr. Norton resigned St. Patrick's in 1921 and took up residence in Green Lake, thereby making Our Lady of the Lake an independent church.

     Thomas Keenan was a little man who lived on the Depot Road (now North Lawson Drive).  His wife was ill and confined to her house, but he walked to church every Sunday.  He taught catechism and bible history, usually at church on Saturdays. In winter times during extreme snow and cold, parents were expected to hear the catechism lessons.  Those children who could brave the weather walked to the Keenan home for their catechism lesson.

     Money was raised by raffles and card parties held in the winter in private homes.  They were attended by whole families.  Furniture would be pushed aside, men brought in tables and chairs, babies were put down on beds and women made sandwiches, cake and coffee.  A fee of 25 cents was charged and first, second and booby prizes were given.  Smear, Five Hundred and Euchre were played.  Card parties were held in the homes of Jess West, Louis Brisky, Herman Busse, Clara Busse, Anton Formiller, Mike Jankowski and John Broder.

     In the summer months the men were busy in the fields but there would be afternoon card parties for women only, given by summer residents.  Quilts, watches, or whatever was donated, would be raffled.  Those having summer card parties included Mrs. George O'Callaghan, Mrs. Thomas Collins, Mrs. John Schaack, Mrs. Vincent Duncan and Mrs. David Ahern.  

     Many people walked to church unless the weather was very, very bad.  Then they went by horse and buggy in the summer, or horse and cutter in the winter.  A wide shallow shed open on the south was built on the Ruth Street lot to shelter the horses during Mass.  Owners of horses brought their own horse blankets, straw bedding, and hay for the horses to munch on during mass.  In winter some who walked or drove horses to church from the highway 23 west area crossed Dartford Bay on the ice.

     In winter the church was heated with two wood stoves.  One was set up on the left side near the front of the church--the other on the left side near the back.  During the service one of the men would put more wood in the stove, and no one complained of this slight interruption.  In summer the stoves were removed.

     In June, 1923, Fr. Norton resigned his pastorate, leaving Our Lady of the Lake parish without the services of a priest.  For a short while some Servite priests came from their monastery near Milwaukee to celebrate mass in Our Lady of the Lake church.  The O'Callaghans or some other family would invite them to dinner.  But the distance they had to come made it difficult.  At this crisis Patrick J. Kelly went to Milwaukee to discuss the situation with Archbishop Messmer, who was inclined to leave Green Lake without a pastor because he had no diocesan priest to send.  Mr. Kelly suggested that the Capuchin Fathers at Mt. Calvary might consent to take temporary charge of the parish.  The Archbishop approved and gave Mr. Kelly a letter to Fr. Corbinian, superior at Mt. Calvary.  Arrangements were satisfactorily completed and in July, 1923, Fr. Andrew Neufeld, O.F.M.,Cap. was appointed to take regular charge of Our Lady of the Lake Church.

     Upon assuming pastorship of Our Lady of the Lake, Fr. Andrew called attention to various needs of the church.  Supported by the trustees he lost no time beginning to renovate and improve the facilities.  The exterior of the building was painted a medium to light gray with white trim; a new metal cross decorated with bright gold-leaf was placed on the spire; and the wooden shingled roof was covered with a moss-green stain.  The interior of the church was also refurbished.  The side walls were painted in three neutral shades of cream, ecru and tan, artistically blended into each other, giving them a Tiffany effect.  The ceiling received a coat of delicate cream color.  Some angel faces peered down upon the congregation.

     New furnishings were also added: two side altars built to harmonize with the original main altar; an organ loft built in back of the church over the main entrance; a set of Stations of the Cross statues with a polished wood Celtic cross behind each; a sanctuary lamp of onyx and gold; a confessional of quartered oak; a statue of St. Anthony; and a Pieta.  Two electric light fixtures were installed in the sanctuary, one over the door on the right leading in from the outside, and one over the door on the left leading into the sacristy.  A pipeless furnace was installed on a concrete slab in a dirt cellar underneath the church floor.  This heat source replaced the two mammoth wood stoves that had previously heated the church in winter occupying space in the auditorium of the church.  Last but not least, a five hundred pound bell was placed in the church tower to call the faithful to services.

     As this work was completed the parish wanted to celebrate with a Solemn High Mass at Christmas 1924.  Such a Mass would have been easy in a large city parish but in Green Lake it was a problem.  The church had no choir and no organist; it lacked the required vestments and there was only one priest.  Fr. Andrew resolved to find a way; Mt. Calvary must come to his assistance.  Fr. Corbinian, superior at Mt. Calvary, agreed to send two extra priests and the necessary vestments, and some college students consented to play and sing the mass.

     The next problem was to get the priests, vestments and students to Green Lake which was forty miles away from Mt. Calvary.  Also there was no rectory attached to the church.  Fr. Andrew had been staying with the Patrick J. Kelly family, but it would have been unreasonable to expect the Kellys to put up the additional priests and students during the night preceding Christmas Day.  But Mr. Kelly came to the rescue by offering his large touring car.  Christmas morning was ideal--a bright sunny morning and not too cold.  At six o'clock the touring car left Green Lake, and returned with the Mt. Calvary party safe at the door of the church by a quarter of an hour before ten, the scheduled time of Mass.

     Promptly at ten the new church bell pealed forth to announce the beginning of the Mass.  The church was filled with parishioners and their guests.  The altars were decked with candles and flowers;  the body of the church with Christmas greens.  The organ and choir sent forth the joyful strains of a Christmas hymn, and the first Solemn High Mass said in Our Lady of the Lake church began.  Fr. Andrew was the celebrant, assisted by Fr. Corbinian as deacon and Fr. Maurice Maurer as subdeacon.  After the gospel, Fr. Andrew expressed his gratification on the occasion and introduced Father Corbinian as the preacher of the day.  The sermon was an enthusiastic commendation of the work accomplished and a forceful interpretation of the mystery of the feast.  At the end of Mass, benediction was given, then the entire congregation joined in chanting the hymn, "Holy God We Praise Thy Name."

     The improvements accomplished in the church were made possible by the generosity of the parishioners and various members of the summer people, both catholic and non-catholic.  During 1924 and 1925 a series of card parties netted around $2,000.

     Fr. Andrew was a history professor and a strict disciplinarian.  He insisted on having a choir.  The choir practised once a week, struggled with Latin words, and sang at one of the Sunday masses.  Choir members' names included Busse, Brisky, Dolske, Bartol, Egbert and Broder.  Sometimes summer visitors who heard the choir realized it needed help.  Anyone who cared to could come up to the choir loft to help the singing.

     Fr. Andrew not only improved the tangible assets of the church but he also worked for the spiritual improvement of the parishioners. He celebrated two Masses each Sunday and Holy Day and conducted another service each week, in the afternoons in winter and in the evenings in summer.  During Lent a series of sermons were preached during the afternoon service.  Special devotions were held in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first Fridays of the summer months, and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May.  Christian doctrine was given to the younger children in catechism classes; and to the older children and adults in an advanced course including bible study.

     On Sept. 21, 1927, Fr. Andrew celebrated his silver jubilee of ordination to the priesthood.  As a gift to him a scholarship for poor students aspiring to the priesthood was given to St. Lawrence College at Mt. Calvary.

     In the fall of 1928 Fr. Andrew gave a series of popular lectures on fundamental questions of religion and a second series in 1929 to which the public was invited.  The lectures were followed by a religious inquiry class held on Saturday evenings.  On March 5, 1933 he delivered a public lecture at Thrasher's Opera House in the village on "Catholics and People of Other Belief."

     In preparation for the Silver Jubilee of Our Lady of the Lake Parish the interior of the church was newly decorated in the spring of 1933.  Ornate borders were painted in cream, ecru and gold around the opening arch of the apse, over the side altars, around each ceiling section, around the windows and over the wainscots.  Other art work was added.  In the peak above the arch to the apse was painted an eye in a triangle, surrounded by a circular border.  This was the traditional "Eye of God" Who knows all things.  On the sloping ceiling were painted six designs consisting of decorative crosses overlaid by a circle containing an emblem of some Christian belief.  The one on the left ceiling nearest the altar depicted the ten commandments on the two tablets given to Moses.  The one on the right nearest the altar was a pelican, a bird once believed to feed its young with its own blood--the symbol of Christ who nourishes us with His blood.  The second emblem on the right was of a fountain gushing forth many streams of water, the symbol of the many graces God pours forth upon us.  This expense of redecorating was the only indebtedness of the parish at the time of the Silver Jubilee.

     On Sunday, Aug. 6, 1933 the parish observed its Silver Jubilee with a 10:00 o'clock Pontifical High Mass celebrated by His excellency Most Reverend Joseph Francis Rummel, D. D., Bishop of Omaha.  Singenberger's mass in honor of St. Rita was rendered by the church choir with Mrs. Margaret Blommer at the organ.

     Fr. Andrew served as pastor of Our Lady of the Lake until 1937.  Beginning in 1937 a series of other Capuchin priests administered to the needs of the parish.  They came from Fond du Lac to Green Lake by train on Friday or Saturday night and would go back by train Sunday night or very early Monday morning--ready to teach that week.  In summer they stayed at the Patrick Kelly home (which later became Heidel House, but now is no longer in existence).  Very often the Kelly chauffeur would take them back to Mt. Calvary, driving a black and white Dusenburg with the chauffeur sitting outside up front.  The priest would often visit parishioners on Saturday afternoon, being driven around by the Kelly chauffeur.  In winter the priest would stay in the home of John Broder or at Gurdy's Hotel.

     For almost 21 years (1923-1944) the Capuchins came on week ends and holy days to take care of the religious needs of Our Lady of the Lake parish.  Fr. Andrew served for 14 of those years.  He was later sent to the Capuchin home for aged and sick priests in Milwaukee.  Another well liked Capuchin was Fr. Albert McParland.  He was a tall, quiet, red-haired man with the opposite temperament of Fr. Andrew.  The Capuchin Fathers in charge of Our Lady of the Lake Church merited the gratitude and appreciation of all the parishioners during all these years of spiritual care.

     In February, 1944, Our Lady of the Lake was placed under the care of Fr. Julian Bieniewski with his assistant Fr. Alphonse Popek, who were pastors at St. Michael parish in Berlin.  They gathered the vital statistics of the parish and transcribed them into a permanent church record. 

     In February of 1945 the parish was placed under the care of Fr. Anthony Czaja, pastor of St. James, Neshkoro.

     On March 23, 1945, Fr. Stephan Szczerbiak was appointed by Archbishop Moses E. Kiley of Milwaukee as a resident pastor of Our Lady of the Lake.  Fr. Stephan E. Szczerbiak was born in Milwaukee, December 26, 1898.  He began his religious training at St. Vincent's High School from which he graduated in 1917.  He entered the military forces December 10, 1917, and served as a chaplain in World War I, receiving his discharge December 24, 1918.  He later enrolled at Orchard Lake Seminary, Detroit, Michigan, and was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis parish Milwaukee; was chaplain of the George Washinton post of the American Legion, Milwaukee; and chaplain of St. Joseph's Hospital, Beaver Dam.

     When he came to take care of the parish, there was no rectory.  Neither was there any suitable living place that could be rented or otherwise secured.  The best available living quarters was a part of the house belonging to Mrs. Rosa Miller, who had closed off and retained several rooms for her own use.  The house had no plumbing or other conveniences.  Sometimes Fr. Steve would drive to Princeton where the pastor of St. John the Baptist would hospitably let him bathe or shower.  Later an apartment above a garage on the Oakwood property was rented for Fr. Steve's use, which was a more adequate place but far from luxuriant.  Magdalene Shikoski and Mary Fenske took care of his housekeeping needs.  He had been a chef before being called to the priesthood, and there were some bachelors in Green Lake who could testify to his great culinary talent.

     The Diocese of Madison was canonically erected March 12, 1946.  Our Lady of the Lake Parish was one of those parishes that, along with its current pastor, was transferred from the Milwaukee Archdiocese to the newly formed Madison Diocese.  Archbishop Moses E. Kiley of Milwaukee issued a statement, "Because of this growth the Holy See has considered it advisable to establish a new diocese of Madison . . . As a result the Bishop of Madison (William P. O'Connor) will be able to give closer attention to the religious needs of the people living in that territory."

     Fr. Steve began to improve the spiritual and temporal conditions of the parish.  Under his direction new vestments, linens and other sacred articles were acquired.  Magdalene Shikoski became sacristan, replacing the sisters Mary and Katherine Dunn who had taken care of the vestments and washed the altar linens.  Magdalene was aided by Mary Fenske.  Katherine Jankowski mended worn linens, made purificators from the good parts of worn altar cloths and hemmed new linens.  Wide elaborate lace in good condition would sometimes be taken from worn cloths and sewed on newer ones.

     Fr. Steve arranged to bring the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who were assigned to St. Stanislaus School in Berlin, to come to Our Lady of the Lake and hold catechism classes every Saturday in the church.

     During Fr. Steve's pastorate a choir flourished under the direction of Conrad L. Naparalla.  St. Mary's Altar Society purchased another organ for the church.  This organ was larger than the previous one and did not fit across the choir loft as did the older and smaller one.  It was placed lengthwise with the loft and against the back wall.  This necessitated the organist to sit with his back to the altar.  A mirror was placed on the organ and angled so that the organist could view the sanctuary to watch the actions and signals of the priest.

     It was while he was living at the Oakwood apartment that Fr. Steve was instrumental in saving some Peter's Pence money.  It was on the Sunday in which all the parishes in the diocese collected Peter's Pence.  Late that afternoon the Green Lake County Sheriff called Fr. Steve to warn him about reports coming in from other priests.  A young man would come with a hard luck story.  The priest would do what he could to help, but after the man was gone the Peter's Pence collection would be gone too.  This happened in one church in Fond du Lac and in at least one other church.

     Not long after this call a young man came knocking on Fr. Steve's door.  He had a hard luck story.  Father invited him in, listened to him, and fixed a supper for him.  While they were eating the man asked such questions as how did the Peter's Pence collection go?  Were the people generous this year?  How did the amount received compare with what was collected last year?  Wasn't Father afraid to keep all that money in his home?  Fr. Steve answered that he would never bring that amount of money home with him.  As soon as he could after the last Mass he took it to the bank and put it in the night deposit box.

     Fr. Steve then urged more food on the fellow, saying he should eat now while he had the chance to get his fill.  He then stated that he had to go down to take care of the furnace.  Fr. Steve then went downstairs, rattled the furnace, quickly got the license plate number and description of the car the fellow drove, rattled the furnace some more and went back upstairs.  The man left.  Father gave the sheriff the information.  That evening the man was apprehended in Wautoma just after he left with their Peter's Pence collection in his possession.  While some of the money had been spent, most of it was recovered and returned to the churches from which it had been taken.  The story goes that Fr. Steve had not gone to the bank, but had dumped Peter's Pence out on his bedroom dresser which stood near the doorway to the kitchen.  There was no door, only a curtain in the doorway.  The  man had been within a few feet of it, but evidently had not looked past the curtain.

     The trustees, Delbert Formiller and Daniel Jankowski, worked with Fr. Steve to build a rectory on the Ruth Street lot that had been donated by Joseph Klein.  The shed on this lot which had been used as a shelter for the horses, was torn down.  The bungalow style rectory consisted of a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, a pastor's section of two bedrooms and a bath, and a housekeeper's section of a kitchen, a bedroom and a bath.  The largest bedroom was painted lavender, the favorite color of Fr. Steve's mother.

     The full basement built under the house was planned to be used as a parish hall.  It contained an outside entrance so that it was available to the parishioners without them traipsing through the pastor's living quarters to reach it.  It was used for catechism classes and church meetings.  Convenient rest rooms were included.  A kitchen sink was installed beyond the open stairway.  With the youth of the parish in mind, Fr. Steve had equipped the basement with table tennis, a dart board, and other games for them to play.  At the time of his death he was in the process of furnighing additional recreational facilities for the young.  He had also started the nucleus of a parish library.

     Sometime during the year of 1950 Fr. Steve began ailing with a heart condition.  Fr. August A. Binna, Cleveland, Ohio, a retired priest, came to live with Fr. Steve and assisted him with all church functions and activities.  When Fr. Steve came to Greem Lake in March of 1945, Our Lady of the Lake parish had 34 families.  Through his effort and diligent work the parish had grown to over ninety families.

     Fr. Steve had lived in very restrictive quarters for five years.  In January, 1951, he moved into the new rectory which was not completed until March, at a cost of about $17,000.  Fr. Steve did not enjoy his new home for long.  He passed to his heavenly home on April 21, 1951.  Death was attributed to a heart attack.  His body lay in state at Our Lady of the Lake church from 5:00 pm Tuesday until 10:30 am Wednesday.  During the all night vigil rosaries were said with guards of honor stationed at either end of the casket at the entrance to the sanctuary.  On Wednesday a 10:30 Solemn requiem High Mass was sung.  The Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Kinney, Chancellor of the Madison Diocese was the celebrant with the Rev. fred Bruckwicki, Berlin, preaching the sermon.  The Rev. John Piette, Portage, dean, was among those present for the funeral services.  Following church services the Green Lake post of the American Legion conducted military rites.  Burial was in the family lot in st. Adalbert's cemetery beside his mother and father.

     Fr. Roger Idzikowski succeeded Fr. Steve in April, 1951.  He continued many of the improvements started by Fr. Steve.  The Sister of Notre Dame continued catechism classes for the grade school children which were now held in the rectory basement.  A strong Chi Rho Club was developed to give religious education to the high school students.  Altar boys were trained.  Fr. Roger placed a mirror on the sill of the window left of the altar.  In it he could see the organist--and the altar boys, some of whom were surprised how much the priest knew of their actions behind his back.  A chapter of The Holy Name Society was organized.  A discussion club was formed where adults studied religious tenets.  Magdalene Shikoski with the aid of Mary Fenske and Katherine Jankowski continued as sacristan.  Helen Fuller brought and arranged fresh flowers.  On a day before Easter those available--men and women--came to clean the church including the statues, stations of the cross, and every nook and corner that could be reached.

     The quartered oak confessional, which contained a single  penitent section, stood in the back of the church.  Sometimes upon entering the church during scheduled times of confession, it had been hard to determine if the priest was in "the box" and if so, whether he was hearing a confession.  Fr. Roger solved this problem with his big foot.  Upon coming into church a penitent could look to see if Father's foot was sticking out beneath the curtain of the confessional.  If it was, Father was in and available for confession.  If not, Father was either not in, or he was hearing another's confession.

     Before the rectory was built, St. Mary's Altar Society had met each month during the winter in private homes.  They had sponsored card parties also held in different private homes for the purpose of raising money.  Admission was charged (usually 25 cents); the refreshments and prizes were donated.  Chances were sold for items donated, very often for embroidered pillowcases or other fancy work.  This practice had declined, but now with the availability of the new rectory basement Church Hall, card parties became popular again.  Helen Fuller and Frances Dugenske were enthusiastic supporters and workers for them.  A kitchen stove was installed in the basement for serving lunches and later a refrigerator was acquired.  The new Church Hall began to be used also for other activities; The Holy Name Society meetings, discussion club gatherings, bake sales, turkey raffles, funeral dinners, etc.

     Fr. Roger encouraged children's parties.  The Christmas parties became well known and well attended by children and even parents.  Magdalene Shikoski made coffee.  Milk was donated and cocoa made for the children.  Cookies were donated.  Each child came with a 25 cent "exchange" gift his mother had wrapped and labeled with his own name.  Many children not belonging to the parish showed up, each carrying a present for himself and a plate of cookies to share.  Santa Claus came and each child received a bag of "goodies."  Many who passed from grade school to high school felt too old to go to a children's party, but did not want to miss the fun.  They volunteered to help with the younger children in order to  remain a part of the festivities.  Halloween parties were also well attended.  Many parents, (mothers and fathers), of the children came to the parties.

     In order to better organize and keep church records and to have a more pleasant place for parishioners to consult with Fr. Roger, a windowed, porch-like office was added to the front of the rectory.  A roll top desk and swivel chair was added.

     Also during Fr. Roger's pastorate a much needed parking lot was constructed east of the rectory and a building fund was started for the purpose of erecting a new church for the growing Catholic population.  He was instrumental in the church acquiring an artistic 16th century wood cut of the Blessed Virgin.

     On June 2, 1956, Bishop Wm. P. O'Connor transferred Fr. Roger to the parishes of Markesan and Kinston; and on June 8 he transferred Fr. Francis S. Karwata from St. John the Baptist Parish in Princeton to Our Lady of the Lake Parish.  Having been in a larger parish Fr. Karwata was used to more elaborate touches to the liturgical services than had been observed in Our Lady of the Lake Parish.  Fr. Roger had encouraged boys to become Mass servers.  They were being trained by Margaret Carew in the proper Latin pronunciations and in the correct liturgical actions, but she considered them far from being properly trained.  When Fr. Karwata announced he needed so many altar boys for this Mass, so many for that Mass and so many for an evening service, consternation set in.  Where would all these altar boys come from?  Those boys who were still in training, were suddenly told to serve.

     Many new liturgical articles were acquired through the generosity of parishioners and friends.  Clara Mashock kept house for Fr. Karwata.  Magdalene Shikoski continued to serve as sacristan as she had since Fr. Steve's pastorate.  Katherine Jankowski and Mary Fenske continued to wash and care for surplices and linens other than altar linens.

     Fr. Karwata conducted a Catholic census, visiting all the parish homes and blessing them.  The parish began publishing the church bulletin on Palm Sunday, 1957 for the convenience of the parishioners. 

     Fr. Karwata wanted to make two small additions to the church in order to expand the sacristy and the outside entryway to the sanctuary.  They would have greatly relieved congestion and provided storage for the vestments and other liturgical articles.  However the Wisconsin State Industrial Commission required too many other costly compliances if any additions were made, and the plan had to abandoned.

     Fr. Karwata did see the church and rectory painted.  It was at this time that the wooden shingles of the steeple, which had acquired a weathered gray, were painted white.  The church steeple which rose up above the tops of the near-by trees could be seen from the surrounding countryside and from the boats on the lakes.  This change of its color changed the looks of a well-known land mark.

     In June, 1958, Fr. Karwata celebrated his fortieth year in the priesthood.  The trustees of the church were John Van Rhyn and Francis Ptacek.  Auditors were Conrad L. Naparalla, Larry Hasselman and Edward A. Breivogel.

     The Golden Jubilee of Our Lady of the Lake was held Sunday, August 24, 1958, with The Most Rev. Wm. P. O'Connor, Bishop of Madison presiding and preaching the sermon at the eleven o'clock Solemn Jubilee Mass.  Serving as chaplains to the bishop were the Very Rev. Ferdinand A. Brukwicki, pastor of St. Stanislaus, Berlin, and Fr. Charles D. E. Monroe, pastor of St. Joseph, Berlin.  Msgr. Jerome J. Hastrich, vicar general of the Diocese was master of ceremonies to the bishop.  Officers of the Mass were the Very Rev. Roland Dusick, O.F.M.,Cap., St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, celebrant; Fr. Roger Idzikowski, former pastor, deacon; Fr. Hubert Woyak, pastor of St. Mark, Red Granite, subdeacon.  Fr. Thomas P. Sosinski, administrator, St. James, Neshkoro, was master of ceremonies.  Thirty-five priests were in attendance.  The parish choir under the direction of Conrad L. Naparalla, organist, sang.  Choir members included Helen Fuller, Alfred Mildebrandt, Arthur Egbert, Ann Fuller, Marcella Brightman, Florence Toman, Janet Mildebrandt, Mary Fenske, Angie Mildebrandt and Harriette Egbert.  Altar boys were Gerald Ptacek, David Priske, Steve Priske, Jerry Polus, Thomas Helgeson, James Brightman, Robert Shikoski and Richard Shikoski.

     A one o'clock dinner was served to more than 300 persons in the Green Lake High School where tables were set up in the gymnasium.  Fr. Karwata was toastmaster.  Speakers were Bishop O'Connor, Very Rev. Dusick, Charles K. Gnewuch (summer resident), George R. O'Callaghan (summer resident), Herman Busse (with his wife the only living charter members of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Congregation present) and Francis Ptacek (treasurer of the church board of trustees.)  In his message Bishop O'Connor urged the parishioners to build a new church large enough to seat and serve the summer people, as well as the growing Catholic population.  He had already given his permission to purchase property for expansion and a building fund had been started.

     Between 1923 and the 1958 Golden Jubilee, Our Lady of the Lake parish recorded 221 baptisms, 185 first communions, 79 marriages, 220 confirmations, 105 converts and 32 deaths.  At the beginning of 1958 the parish had 95 families registered and 70 children taking catechism instructions.

     Pope John XXIII had been pope for merely ninety days when on January 25, 1959, he made the first announcement of his plan to convoke the Church's Twenty-first Ecumenical Council, the first since Vatican I of 1869-70.  Immediately many innovative ideas were experimented with.  One of them was observed in Our Lady of the Lake parish at Easter time, 1959, when Fr. Karwata celebrated a midnight Mass.  Holy Saturday vigil liturgy was held 11:30 pm.  The altar was bare.  Lighting was by candle light only.  The organ was mute.  Clappers and a cappella voices signaled the entrance.  At midnight after the vigil service, Fr. Karwata covered the altar with a long white linen cloth.  The altar boys brought lilies from the sacristy and banked the altar with them.  The lights suddenly shone brightly, and the organ and choir burst forth with the joyful news that Christ had risen.  The mood change was very impressive.  Magdalene, who as a woman was not allowed in the sanctuary during services, could not herself straighten the altar cloth or arrange the flowers.  She had worried much about those males arranging the altar, but had to admit her fears were unfounded.  She did however straighten them herself before the next service.

     On October 4, 1959, Fr. Karwata began his eternal life.  He had suffered greatly from cancer.

     On January 12, 1960, Fr. Carl J. Wagner was assigned to Our Lady of the Lake.  Through the years the congregation had changed not only in size but had also changed in character.  The percentage of Irish parishioners had declined while the percentage of Polish members had increased.  Fr. Wagner was the first pastor since the coming of Fr. Szczerbiak who did not hear confessions in the Polish language.  Any Polish immigrant, who had learned and professed his religion in Polish, had to learn the English names of his virtues and vices.  At least one parishioner began going to confession at St. John the Baptist church in Princeton in order to continue receiving the sacrament in his mother tongue.  Gradually the strong ethnicity of the parishioners faded away as they conformed to local customs and membership became more universal.

     In 1960 Sunday masses in winter held in the original church were scheduled for 8:00 am High Mass and 10:00 am Low Mass.  During the summer when summer visitors swelled the congregations, two masses in the little church were not enough to accomodate them all.  Special permission was granted by the Bishop to hold four masses scheduled for 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 and 11:00 am.  Weekday masses were at 7:30 am.  On First Fridays there was distribution of Holy Communion at 7:00 am and a High Mass at 8:00 am.  Confessions were heard on Saturdays, Thursdays before First Fridays and the days before Holy Days at 4:00 to 5:00 pm amd 7:00 to 8:00 pm.  Baptisms were on Sunday by appointment.  Marriage arrangements were to be made with the pastor at least six weeks before the date of Marriage.

     A second collection was established to collect money for the building fund.  Ember days were days of fast and abstinence with meat once a day Wednesdays and Saturdays and none on Fridays.  Ember days were observed four times a year at the beginning of each season.  The Sunday Visitor was available in the rear of the church for five cents a copy.

     Agnes Krantz was Fr. Wagner's housekeeper.  She also became sacristan taking care of the linens and vestments.  She became a very active worker in the Altar Sodality, doing a lot of sewing for money-making events, making vestments, and putting together many rosaries for the missions.  Early in 1962 she was instrumental in starting a sewing circle for parish women who met regularly to sew for the parish and for the Diocesan mission, the Peter Claver House at Madison.  The circle met in the old church between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.  Volunteers were welcome all day or any part of the day.

     The building of a new church began in earnest, with Fr. Wagner as general contractor, carpenter and mason.  He believed that the congregation should work together to build its own church, and parishioners had the opportunity to contribute their time and skills as well as money.  It was built on the parking lot east of the rectory.  Ralph Sanger, a contractor from Edgerton; Jim Schuppner of Marling Millwork (who later bought the Giese Lumber Yard in Princeton); and George Prondzinske from Janesville, worked with Father Wagner to complete the church.  Three tons of re-enforcing rods holds the cement floor.  Wilbur Ellenbecker and George Prondzinski who worked for Mr. Ellenbecker helped with the nine trusses which were put up in one day.  An 8-inch concrete ceiling in the furnace rooms made them fire-proof.  48,000 bricks were used in the exterior walls.

     The Tau Cross-shaped church was designed by Prudens Trust of Evansville, Wisconsin.  The main altar was set in a large sanctuary located at the top center of the tau along the west wall.  The left arm of the tau contained an outside entrance from Ruth Street, a short hallway, the rest rooms, a furnace room to heat the south side of the church, and a very large sacristy with generous storage for vestments and liturgical articles.  The right arm of the tau contained a choir room which was open to the sanctuary, a work room with storage and counter for flower arranging etc., a furnace room for the north side of the church, and several exit doors.  The quartered oak confessional was located in the right arm near the main body of the church.

     The wall construction of the church consisted of cement blocks tied to bricks on the outer side.  The inner cement block wall was not finished except for sealing and painting.  They were painted what Fr. Wagner called "Madonna Blue" which was a rather pale blue.  The windows as ordered were amber colored.

     Soon after Father Wagner came, the parish acquired Mrs. Marshall's Jam Kitchen, popularly known as "The Pickle Factory" because of its use in the 1940s.  Fr. Wagner used it to store building materials and tools.  When the new windows for the church came they were stored in the Pickle Factory flat and stacked one upon another.  An accident broke some of the amber glass which was impossible to be matched, resulting in a slight difference in the glass color of the windows.

     While the church was being built, the Pickle Factory kitchen was used during a summer bazaar and picnic.  Tables were set up on the cement subfloor of the church being built.  There was no roof, but the trusses were in place and a canvas was spread over them for protection in case of rain.  Catechism classes were held in the Pickle Factory, and the library books were taken there from the rectory basement.  More books were added, many donated from private libraries.  Dorothy Gnewuch contributed many.

     The new Church was built and furnished (building, altars, communion rail, confessiona and pews) for $64,496.59.  Donors were sought for candle-sticks, monstrance and a chalice.  A new Baldwin electronic organ was purchased for $2,045.00.  Statues, including the Stations of the Cross, were repainted and brought from the old church into the new one.  The Celtic crosses placed behind the Stations were also brought over, but the ornamental shelves on which these statues rested were not.  Instead the Station figures were held on the north and south walls of the new church by metal hangers fashioned by Mike Marshall, the Princeton blacksmith.  The statues of the Blessed Virgin and of St. Joseph were installed above the side altars of the new church.  The Sacred Heart and St. Therese statues were placed on shelves built on the rear (east) wall, one on either side of a very large amber, blue and red window.  Unfortunately the statues of St. Anthony and the Infant of Prague which graced the old church was broken while being transferred.

     Fr. Wagner donated the crucifix which hung over the main altar.  Its corpus was carved by a German D. P. (displaced person).

     The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961, permission having been granted by the Bishop to hold Masses before the formal dedication.

     On June 4, 1961, a double celebration was held.  Fr. Wagner, who had been ordained June 6, 1936, at St. Francis Seminary, celebrated his Silver Jubilee at a 10:00 Mass.  In the afternoon Bishop William P. O'Connor blessed and dedicated the new church to God with a Solemn Blessing at 4:00 pm followed by the Dedication mass.  Holy Communion was distributed at the Dedication mass which was followed by a dinner served at the Green Lake High School for the clergy and those guests who had received an invitation.  The seating capacity of the new church was four times that of the older one.  A larger capacity was needed because at that time (before the Vatican II Council) there were no Saturday evening anticipation Masses and priests were allowed to celebrate only two Masses on Sunday, unless they had been given special permission by the bishop to offer more.

     With the coming of Fr. Wagner and the building of the new church, the rectory basement had begun to hold more and more tools and building supplies.  Its use as a Parish Hall became limited.  During January and February of 1961 the Altar Society held its Dessert Luncheon & Card Parties at the Green Lake Village Hall.  Olsha, Smear and 500 were played.  The two card parties in February netted a profit of $206.16.  The Altar Society had reverted to holding their meetings in private homes again.  

     After masses began to be held in the newly built church, Father Wagner built cupboards in the old church where the altar rail had been, making a kitchen where the previous sanctuary had been.  A kitchen stove was installed.  Fr. Wagner wished to add a kitchen sink with running water, but again the Wisconsin State Industrial Commission requirements proved to be prohibitive.  Water for the kitchen was available only from an outside hydrant.  Any hot water had to be carried from the rectory.  The old church became the Parish Hall where catechism, dinners, meetings, socials etc. were held.  The rectory basement, which had be used as a parish hall, reverted back to becoming a part of the private quarters of the pastor.

     A new parking lot was made in the lot across Ruth Street from the new church.  Willis Brightman donated the bulldozing and Edward Mirr furnished the gravel to cover it.

     Fr. Wagner enrolled the members of Our Lady of the Lake Altar Society in the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin.  The society was placed under the patronage of St. Therese of Lisieux and became known as St. Therese Altar Sodality.  A schedule was set up for all the women of the parish for them to take turns sleaning the new church.  A different committee each week was responsible for its care.  A schedule was also set up for parents of CCD students to get the School Sisters of Notre Dame from St. Stanislaus convent in Berlin and take them back each Saturday.

     Each July after the masses on the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Christopher Fr. Wagner blessed all cars that were driven in front of the rectory and paused for this sacramental, a custom he continued through the years.

     Bishop O'Connor retired in 1967.  On Feb. 22, 1967 Most Rev. Cletus F. O'Donnell J.C.D. was named the second Bishop of Madison.  A parish council was formed according to the request of Bishop O'Donnell.  The first members were Mrs. H. Hudzinski, Howard Dahlke, Mary Jane (Mrs. Daniel) Breivogel, Conrad Naparalla, Joe Van Rhyn, and Norman Priske.  Officers elected were Joseph VanRhyn, President; Howard Dahlke, Vice President; and Mary Jane Breivogel, Secretary.

     On Sunday, June 6, 1971, Fr. Wagner celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass in honor of his 35 years in the priesthood.  The choir sang the Mass in Latin.  Mrs. Carleen Zaja of Milwaukee, Fr. Wagner's niece, who had been his "bride" at his ordination, was present.  The altar boys were Tom, Tim and Ronald Polcyn.  At the Offertory Fr. Wagner was presented with 35 roses and a hand-made rosary.  On Wednesday evening, June 9, a reception and open house was held in the Church Hall (old church) in his honor.  Refreshments were served by the Altar Sodality.  Fr. Wagner was presented with a purse in appreciation for his years of service in Green Lake.

     In November, 1971, A Gulbransen organ was purchased to replace the Baldwin.

     In June, 1976, Fr. Wagner celebrated his fortieth anniversary in the priesthood with a gathering at Bel Air.  In June, 1978, after serving Our Lady of the Lake parish for over eighteen years, Fr. Wagner retired, moving to his home in Princeton.  On August 8, 1986, he suffered a stroke and was taken to St. Comillus Health Center in Milwaukee.  In January, 1987, he passed to his eternal reward.

     Fr. Lawrence Clark was assigned the pastorate.

     Shortly after Fr. Clark came he explored the condition of the parish buildings, talking it over with the Parish Council.  The members of the council were Rick Burk, James Hajicek, Dolores Walker, Bernard Larson, Terry Kohlman and Barbara Paul.  The council appointed a building committee to work with it to determine the parish's needs and wishes.  The members of this committee were Francis Ptacek, Marvin Sonntag, Mary Jane Breivogel, Monnine McConnell and Tom McNeily.  In July 1979, they consulted Fr. John Buscemi, a priest of the diocese qualified to help determine how to embellish and renovate the physical plant in order to best meet the needs of the parish.

     Bishop O'Connor retired in 1967.  On February 22, 1967, Most Rev. Cletus F. O'Donnel J.C.D. was named the second Bishop of Madison.  A parish council was formed according to the request of Bishop O'Donnell.  The first members were Mrs. H. Hudzinski, Howard Dahlke, Mary Jane (Mrs. Daniel) Breivogel, Conrad Naparalla, Joe Van Rhyn, and Norman Priske.  Officers elected were Joseph Van Rhyn, Presiden; Howard Dahlke, Vice President; and Mary Jane Breivogel, Secretary.

     The concrete block/brick walls of the church had no insulation.  Moreover the walls held the heat in summer and the cold in winter making it very expensive to heat or air condition.  Many thought that the church interior was not as inspiring as it should be, and that covering the exposed roof trusses, insulating, finishing the concrete block walls and carpeting the asbestos tile floors would make the church more comfortable, aesthetic and uplifting.  There was also the belief that rearranging the seating to bring the congregation closer to the altar and in view of each other would establish a greater family feeling and intimate fellowship.

     Another desire was for facilities to hold religious education classes, parish organization meetings and social gatherings.  The old church which had been used as a parish hall was not very satisfactory for that purpose as it was dingy, had very poor lighting, no running water and badly needed refurbishing.  If it was remodeled at all it would have to be brought up to state building code, and that would have been costly.  There was no doubt that the parish was in great need of a parish hall with kitchen facilities and available rest rooms for all church functions, socials as well as religious classes.

     Fr. Wagner had acquired money in an "Improvement Fund" which he had hoped to use for building a free-standing bell tower.  He wanted to built it half-way between the south wall of the church and the sidewalk, and west of the walk leading to the then main entrance, (the entrance now bricked up where the Blessed Sacrament resides in its chapel.)  He had expected to hang in it the bell from the old church.  The money in this bell tower fund became the nucleus for the funding of the remodeling of the "new" church.  An August, 1979 raffle yielded a profit of $1,573 bringing the Improvement Fund total to $41,500.  By February 3, 1980 the fund reached $49,500.

     The building Committee determined 1) that the "Pickle Factory" in its dilapidated condition should be removed, 2) that the present church building could be expanded by adding either length or width but not within the planned budget nor was it necessary to meet the present needs, and 3) the old church could be restored but again not within the budget, and if restored would mean the continual expense of maintaining two buildings.

     The possibility of incorporating the stained glass windows from the old church in the newly remodeled church was rejected because of the interest shown by many to restore the beloved old church.

     In September, 1979, the Building Committee met with Robert Kraft and Larry Aaron, engineer and architect from AEI, Architects Engineers Inc., of Madison.  Parish needs, nature of remodeling, space needed for parish activities, and a workable budget were discussed.  The Parish Council voted to retain this firm to draw remodeling plans for the newer church.

     In January, 1980, the priest's sacristy was readied for daily mass.  The thermostats were adjusted so that only the sacristy and rest rooms were warm.  The main body of the church were kept at a much lower temperature in order to save fuel.

     In March the term of office for Parish Council members, Dolores Walker and Bernard Larson, were completed.  They were replaced by Mary Ellen Roth and David Jankowski.  The building committee members were Rick Burk, Jim Jajicek, Barb Paul, Terry Kohlman, Mary Ellen Roth, David Jankowski, Mary Jane Breivogel, Moninne McConnell, Tom McNeily, Francis Ptacek and Marvin Sonntag.    On Monday, April 21, 1980, Marvin Sonntag and Terry Kohlman went with Fr. Clark to Madison to talk with Bishop O'Donnell and the Diocesan Building Committee to talk about the renewal or remodeling project.

     About the middle of June a brochure was mailed to all parish members.  It depicted the progress to date of the remodeling committee.  In July the question was put to the parish for a vote.  "DO YOU FAVOR REMODELING PROGRAM AS OUTLINED IN BROCHURE? Yes or No?

     When the parish members indicated a desire for the remodeling, a Pledge-Week was initiated starting August 24 with Terry Kohlman and Marvin Sonntag giving inspiring talks at all the masses that Sunday.  August 24 was also the date of the Annual Raffle and a Pig Roast Savory Dinner with applesauce, scalloped potatoes, cole slaw, rolls, etc. from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the American Legion Hall.

     In September it was announced that 75% of parish members had returned their pledge cards.  The raffle tickets netted $1,920 and the Pig Roast $838.  Of the aimed goal of $110,000 less than $1,900 had not been paid or pledged.  It was pointed out that exact costs were as yet unknown, but the $110,000 was not expected to purchase any furnishings or develop the Pickle Factory area into a parking lot.

     By the end of September the architect was given the go-ahead on drawing final plans.  The were expected to be complete in December with remodeling starting in January.  In October it was announced that the pledge drive had gone over the top.  Many summer and winter friends had also contributed to the remodeling fund.

     On Monday, November 3, Terry Kohlman, Marvin Sonntag, the architect Mark Kraft and Fr. Clark met with the Diocesan Building Committee.  Our Lady of the Lake Congregation received the "green light" to remodel plus the guarantee that, when and if needed, the parish could borrow up to $30,000 for five years from the diocese at 5% with no penalty for early payment.

     On Tuesday, January 20, 1981, in an open meeting with the architect present, remodeling bids were opened.  Also that same evening the members of the Parish Council and the Building Committee met.  Present at the evening meeting were Building Committee members David Jankowski, terry Kohlman, Barbara Paul, Marvin Sonntag, Francis Ptacek, Bernard Larson and Moninne McConnell.  Also present were Jack Kotloski, Jerry Kautzer, Tim Paul and Paul Torzalla.  All but a few things were finalized.  Terry Kohlman, Chairman of the Building Committee, later reported that bids were awarded: General Construction - Ceman Construction Company, Berlin; Electrical - Rogers Electric, Ripon; Plumbing - Village Plumbing, Green Lake; and Heating - Condon Heating, Ripon.  Other companies who also supplied services to the remodeling were: Wisconsin Power and Light; Gegare Tile, Green Bay; Galaxy Lighting, Fond du Lac; Uncle Bob's Music Center, Milwaukee; Electronic Supply, Fond du Lac; Egbert Excavating, Green Lake; Michael Benkoski - Painter; Green Lake Lumber; and Steward's Hardware, Green Lake.

     By the first of February parishioners were cautioned that the pews were no longer bolted down.  Clean-up volunteer crews were organized to come Saturday afternoons to clean the church for week-end masses.  The work of remodeling began in earnest.

     New Parish Council members were installed in April, 1981.  Jennifer McKelvie and Richard Chier replaced James Hajicek and Rick Burk whose terms were up.

     The previous sanctuary was cut off from the body of the church by a windowed partition, the altar was moved from the west end to the north side of the church with a wood paneled backdrop, a backdrop which covered two of the original windows of the church.  The Stations of the Cross statues were affixed to the north wall using the metal hangers, but their Celtic crosses were not replaced with them.  Pews were arranged in a modified semicircle around it, reducing the seating capacity of the church.  The open trusses were enclosed with wood matching the paneling.  The cement block walls were insulated and finished with dry-wall painted an off-white.  The floor was carpeted.  The sanctuary, sacristy, choir room and workroom were remodeled into a parish family room, reconciliation room and sacristy.  A kitchen alcove was furnished with cupboards, a sink and an industrial sized stove.

     During the disturbing mess of remodeling, alternative locations for church functions were found.  The Parish Council of Catholic Women met at the Oakwood; their traditional Christmas time pot luck dinner was held in the public high school.  Religious education classes were held in the homes of the teachers; some committee meetings were held in the home of its chairman.  Clean-up crews were organized to gather Saturday afternoons to tidy up the church for mass.  The funeral of one parishioner was held in St. Patrick's church, another funeral was held in St. Wenceslaus church, both in Ripon.  The PCCW Mother/Daughter pot luck dinner scheduled for early May, 1981, was postponed because the family room couldn't be cleaned up from remodeling in time.

     The new Hall and Family Room was first used by the PCCW for a Mother/Daughter Pot Luck Supper on Monday evening, May 18th.  The electric stove could not as yet be used, though the one in the rectory was available to those serving.  The only thing that could be plugged into the temporary electric service was a coffee pot.  On the 19th the Parish Council and Building Committee met in the new hall.  A bake sale and plant sale was held the next weekend.

     In August, 1981, Lucille Mockus, chairman of the "Kitchen-ette Finishing Committee," was given permission to proceed with installing a double ten-inch stainless steel sink and a gas stove with a double oven and grill.

     The high cost of heating the rectory was also brought up at this meeting.  Fr. Clark was authorized to get bids on proposals to have a more efficient method of heating--possible change from oil to gas and insulate the attic.              

     The Family Room was planned as an all-purpose area which would have curtain walls to allow it to be divided into class rooms and to partition the kitchen facilities off from the main room.  The slanted ceiling in this area was dropped to a uniform height.  Unfortunately this false ceiling could not support curtain walls.  Eventually orange-colored free-standing screens were substituted to separate different religious education classes being held in the Hall at the same time.

     A long, narrow storage area addition was attached to the west end of the church.  It was used for storage of chairs and tables not in use, for extra kitchen supplies, etc.  A refrigerator and a separate freezer were also kept in it.

     Father Clark encouraged greater lay participation in liturgical celebrations, catechetical instructions and social events.  St. Therese Altar Sodality had long been associated with the Council of Catholic Women and to reflect that affiliation became known as the Parish Council of Catholic Women.

     Some of the staunch supporters and workers for the church remodeling soon received their eternal reward.  The funeral of Mary Jane Breivogel an avid supporter of the project was held June 2, 1981.  The funeral of Paul J. Ceman, general contractor, was held July 10 at St. Stanislaus Church in Berlin.  The funeral of Charles Caestecker who had given the church its air-conditioner and $5,000 toward the remodeling was held July 13 in Chicago.

     Fr. Clark began his eternal life on Sept. 29, 1981, having succumbed to a sudden heart attack.  He had done much to encourage a spirit of dialogue and cooperation within the parish and between Our Lady of the Lake Parish Family and other Christian parishes in the community.

     On November 1, 1981, Bishop O'Donnell assigned Fr. Leo A. Joyce to Our Lady of the Lake parish.  Fr. Leo immediately set about to affirm the people of the parish in their own ministries of service, to inspire a better spirit among them, to work closely with the parish council, and to set short and long term plans.  Fr. Clark had not seen all the improvements he helped plan be completed.  It was up to Fr. Leo to "jump into the middle of the stream."  Finishing touches on the kitchenette and receiving the room dividers were some of the things calling for his attention.  Decisions were made after discussing and brain-storming with parishioners and professionals.

     The Parish Council had a long and fruitful meeting on December 13, 1981.  Four committees were finally established: Education; Liturgy; Building and Maintenance; and Social.  Council members contacted parish members to serve on these committees.  The Building Committee remained active until their work on the renovation project was completed.

     Beginning the first Sunday in 1982 only one collection was taken at all masses.  From the time Fr. Wagner had started to establish a building fund in 1960 until January 1982, two collections had been taken up at all weekend masses, the first during the offertory and the second after communion.  Fr. Leo stated that the reason for the single collection was not that the parish did not need the money, but a double collection seemed to halt the spirit of worship because of the time it took.

     On May 9, 1982, council members Nancy Hill and Jerry Kautzer replaced Terry Kohlman and Barb Paul.  David Jankowski was elected new Parish Council president, Richard Chier vice-president, and Jennifer McKelvie secretary.  Mary Ellen Roth was the old secretary.

     On June 3 Jennifer McKelvie became the new trustee replacing Terry Kohlman.  On July 14, the council voted to make Jennifer the new Finance Secretary replacing LuAnn Mirr who had become the new PCCW president.

     On June 13, 1982, Fr. Leo celebrated his Silver Jubilee, his 25th year in the priesthood.  He celebrated a mass of Thanksgiving at 2:00 pm with a reception held on the church grounds following the liturgy.  Picnic tables were borrowed; the parish ladies preparing the food.

     In June the practice of serving coffee and rolls or donuts between Sunday masses during the summer was started.  Fr. Leo fostered these friendly exchanges between parish members and friends.  He also encouraged the Social Committee in the sponsoring such events as their Tingle and Mingle Party with Mike Breister and his musical talents, Easter Egg Hunt, St. Nick's Brunch, bike trip to Mitchell's Glen, Camping weekend at Mirror Lake State Park, Brewers vs Yankees ballgame, servers outing at Devil's Lake, Halloween Hoot & Stomp Square Dance, card parties, chucker golf, hay ride with caroling, trip to Great America, swim at ABA and other entertainments.

     Fr. Leo wished to promote a religious education program that would inspire his parishioners.  In 1983 he began a once a month "Total Parish Religious Education", a program for everyone in the parish family over and above special instructions for children preparing for Eucharist, Penance and Confirmation.  He felt that the Vatican II teachings were not being accepted because they were not being taught to the adults, the primary educators of the children.  Bringing the renewal to the children not working because the children were not receiving support from their parents who were still ignorant of them.  This total parish religious education program was devised by presenting the monthly topic in church on the first Sunday of the month with discussions of that topic on the Monday following at 3:00 pm with a similar discussion that evening at 7:30.  Film strips were used an Bible readings recomended. 

     The July 25, 1982, church bulletin began to be printed in Milwaukee by Liturgical Publications, Inc.  Any bulletin insertions had to be handed in to the rectory no later than Monday evening.  The front page cover of the new bulletin was designed by Lynn Voss.  It featured a drawing of the Italian marble statue of Mary, patroness of Our Lady of the Lake, as it stood on a platform in the fountain built approximately where the three flag poles now stand.  The drawing shows the four jets of water spraying up out of the water.  After this statue of Mary was moved from the front of the church to the Garden of Prayer the depicted water jets were no longer appropriate.  The May 4, 1986 parish bulletin first featured Lynn's design in an oval shape without the water jets.  This remodeled design has continued to beued on Our Lady of the Lake bulletins, programs, etc.  The statue is a memorial to the Dunn family who were one of the early and devout members of the parish.  Michael, Mary and Katherine were sisters and a brother living in a house on Lake Street on a lot which is now a part of Bay View Hotel.  Mary and Katie served as sacristans when the Capuchin fathers ministered to Our Lady of the Lake parish.  None of the three had married, and when Katie became the last survivor she willed the home and household goods to the Altar Society.  The property was sold at auction and the money used to buy the beautiful white statue of Mary.

     The most difficult decision confronting Fr. Leo was what to do with the old church.  On Monday evening, July 19, 1982, Fr. John Buscemi met with Our Lady of the Lake parishioners to discuss the option of incorporating things of sentimental and spiritual value from the old church into the present church building.  He was "a very talented young priest from our Diocesan Building Committee."  Three options were given to the parishioners.  Two were eliminated.  The remaining and final option was to preserve by incorporating all items from the old church which had either sentimental or historical value into the newer church.  This plan included eventual disposition of the old church.  Wainscotting from the original church was used in the rectory basement when it wasd renovated as a meeting room.

     During the first year of Fr. Leo's pastorate much had been accomplished.  A "thank you" that appeared in a December, 1982, bulletin stating "Everyone has helped our parish not only to be a better place to worship but a place to come together as one and really enjoy one another's company.  We think we've made it.  We truly are a 'Parish Family.'"  Committee chairmen were: Social--Larry Behlen; Building and Maintenence--Mark Kramer; Building and Remodeling--Terry Kohlman; Religious Education Coordinator--Nancy Hill; Liturgy--Greg Matysik; Finance--David Jankowski; and Parish Council of Catholic Women--LuAnn Mirr.  Jennifer McKelvie was the Financial Secretary and Lois Larson was Parish Secretary.  Mike Breister had begun his many years as organist.

     During the winter of 1982-83 Al Klaver carefully and artfully moved and installed seven of the stained glass windows in the newer church.  They were smaller and in more delicate condition than the newer church's original amber ones, which were left intact.  Plywood panels were installed over the windows from the inside.  The stained glass ones were set into openings which had been cut into these panels to receive the windows.  The installation of these windows created the feeling of once again being in a church-like atmosphere.  Later the amber colored windows were removed and replaced with thermopane.  This let the true brilliant colors of the stained glass shine through untinged by the yellow filtered light.

     The rectory needed not only a more efficient heating system, but also extensive work to make it again attractive inside and out.  The attic was insulated.  The doors were weatherstripped.  New siding was applied to the rectory by David Alvin in the summer of 1982.  Other rectory remodeling was done by Al Klaver, David Alvin and Gary Gneiser.  The fireplace between the living and dining rooms, which was smokey but did nothing to warm the house, was removed.  In its place a lannon stone platform was built and a Franklin stove installed, and new drapes were hung.  This opened up the rooms making them more attractive.  The door from the kitchen to the housekeeper's hall was closed off making the kitchen less cut-up and more efficient.  A doorway was cut between the housekeeper's bedroom and the hallway to the other bedrooms.  The previous hallway from the kitchen to this bedroom became a long closet.  The smallest bedroom, the one nearest the dining room was made into a private counseling room with office facilities.  By mid November, 1982, beams had been installed in the dining-living area and painting in this area had been completed.  The porch-like office that had been built during Fr. Roger's pastorate was furnished with chairs and settee where visitors could be received.

     The rectory basement also received a rejuvenation.  It was susceptible to flooding and had received considerable water damage.  It no longer contained kitchen facilities.  New wiring was installed.  Kitchenette-laundry facilities and a storage-workshop area were added and closed off from the main area.  An office was enclosed where the parish secretary and the coordinator of religious education could work and keep their records.  The main area was refurbished to provide a warm and inviting meeting room that could be used as a chapel for daily masses during the winter months.  This remodeling of the rectory was done as funds for it became available and was not completed until the summer of 1983.  The rectory basement once more became a pleasant place for meetings, religious education classes, and contained a small parish family library.  It was used for parish council meetings, committee meetings and by the high school youth group fro cards, games, fun, etc.

     The Pickle Factory had become an old dilapidated building.  Jack Kotloski secured it by boarding up the broken windows.  In November, 1982, David Jankowski was asked to look into the progress of the demolition of the factory building, and to see about putting up a snow fence on the north side to protect the children on the Peace Lutheran School play ground.  By mid December Robert Minskey had removed the concrete slabs and groomed the grounds.  It had been graveled and in that state had been available for parking time for the 1983 Diamond Jubilee.  Later it was developed into a better parking lot for the growing parish.

     In the summer of 1983 Our Lady of the Lake church celebrated its Diamond Jubilee celebration with the theme "Take Root and Grow."  Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3, all masses (5;50, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00) were celebrated in Latin, the language used in 1908 when the parish was formed, "We Remember Our Past."  On Friday, July 8, an open house was held.  It included tours of the church, the remodeled rectory, displays with pictures, and architect's drawings of plans for the church's proposed east entrance and the utilization of the remaining stained glass windows.  Music reminiscences, and fellowship abounded; the Gospel Tones of Brandon began playing at 8:00 pm.  A reception and refreshments were held in the parish hall.

     On Sunday, July 10, the climax of the celebration was a solemn concelebrated mass at 11:00 am with Bishop George O. Wirz the principal celebrant.  Confirmation was also celebrated at this mass.  The masses that day were in English, "We Celebrate Our Present."  After this mass there was a big picnic with a pig roast.  there was also a white elephant and plant and craft sale in the basement of the rectory.

     The commemorative plates ordered for the occasion did not arrive in time for the celebration but became available in August  after masses.  They were available to parishioners and summer guests alike at $12.50.

     A good old fashioned parish picnic was held September 11, 1983, in Zobel Park on Highway 49 north of Green Lake.  A 12:30 pm outdoor mass was held followed by a picnic dinner, games for all and the drawing for raffle prizes.  The profit from the raffle was $3,630.73.

     The First Annual All Parish Meeting was held June 22, 1986, at 10:45 am at the end of the 10:00 o'clock mass.  The new updated constitution governing the parish council and the parish was adopted.  It stated that the parish council would be composed of nine members selected from the church membership at large plus the parish priest, the parish finance committee chairman and the president of the PCCW.  Fr. Leo gave a financial report and explained that much of the funds on hand would be needed to complete plans for the future.

     Fr. Leo concluded with the statement that while it is wonderful to be financially healthy, the spiritual health and growth of the parish is of greatest importance and that so far "we are alive and well and growing."

     Other all parish meetings had been held from time to time but not on a yearly schedule.

     In August, 1986, the new carillon church bells began to peal from Our Lady of the Lake church.  They were a gift from Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Shoemaker in memory of the Jankowski and Shoemaker families.  Mrs. Shoemaker (Helen) was the daughter of the long time parishioners Katherine and Michael Jankowski.  The bells were installed by Mike Breister, Ralph Bryant, Jon McConnell and Al Klaver and crew.  They pealed the Angelus at 8:00 am, 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm.

     In December, 1986, Al Klaver installed the credence table in the sanctuary and the missalette holder at the church entrances.  Also this December the news that Fr. Leo like crocheted snow flakes spread like wildfire and it seemed that everyone who could crochet (and some who could not) were making snow flakes for him.  At Christmas time the wall behind the altar was covered with them.

     This remodeling included installing two more stained glass windows from the old church in the east wall of the newer church.  The two shorter stained glass windows from the sanctuary and the rose window from the front of the old church were used in the new entrance.  The statues of the Blessed Virgin and of St. Joseph that had graced the side altars before Fr. Clark's remodeling now found a pleasant place in the entry among Fr. Leo's potted trees and the baptistery, all reminiscent of the Holy Family and the importance of families to the church.

     The original main entrance of the second church (that is the eastern-most entrance on the south wall) was bricked up and made into a chapel.  The arched stained glass window from over the door of the first church was installed above where the tabernacle now rests.

     Fr. Leo loved flowers and was an enthusiastic gardener.  It was his ambition to create a garden where everyone could go to pray, meditate or just rest.  He inspired others and the idea of using the old church lot for a Garden of Prayer grew.  In the spring and summer of 1984 the steeple of the old church was lifted off the church and set down on the ground.  The church was dismantled and carried away.  Many hands--men, women and children--helped to clear the lot of wood, branches, trees and debris to prepare it for the development of the garden.  A brick base for the steeple to rest upon was built.  It included the 1908 corner stone that had been saved.  Don Smith and Sons and crew and Lloyd Smith moved the steeple the new foundation.

     The development of the Garden of Prayer was not accomplished in a year.  No pledge drive was made, but progress continued as the donations of time, talent, materials and money were given, not only in memory of the old church but in memory of many loved ones living here or in heaven.  It was to be a prayerful place to gather, to worship or simply to spend some time alone with God surrounded by the beauty of His glorious creation.

     A committee was formed to facilitate the development of a new entrance to the church as well as the development of the commemorative park on Saturday, April 27, 1985.  Decisions were made on retaining landscape architects for drafting of park plans and moving forward on church entrance plans.  By November the main contractor selected for the Prayer Garden was Gudmanson of Fond du Lac, with others tasks being done by local contractors.

     The church bell which originally was hung in 1924 was replaced in the steeple.  The bell is no longer rung because the supporting trusswork between the steeple and the old church tower is no longer there to bear the torque.  Near the steeple is a miniature statue of St. Fiacre, patron saint of gardens and taxicab drivers.

     The cornerstone of the original church was opened.  It contained two Indianhead pennies, a Liberty head nickel, a copy of the Green Lake County Reporter dated August 20, 1908, and the following information: "It was on Sunday, August 23, 1908, when Joseph Sarto ruled the Catholic Church as Supreme Pontiff under the title of Pius the tenth, when the most Rev. Sebastian Gebhard Messmer was Archbishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee and the Rev. Thomas J. Cosgrove was pastor of the church of Our Lady of the Lake at Green Lake.  It was when Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States of America and James O. Davison ruled as Governor of Wisconsin and Homer H. Janes was President of the Village Board of Green Lake, that the corner stone of Our Lady of the Lake was laid by the most Rev. Archbishop of Milwaukee assisted by the following priests: Rev. John P. Zilla of Elmhurst, Illinois; Rev. Francis J. Fiss of Berlin, Wisconsin and the Reverend Pastor."

     All of the above were once again placed in the cornerstone along with current information and coins and the cornerstone is now part of our memorial to the old church.

     A wall of Juniper trees forms a background to a chancel area which contains a stone altar.  Three wide curved steps lead up to the altar.

     The entrance to the garden is through a white trellis on Ruth Street.  A paved walk leads through the trellis to a circular walk around an octagonal fountain in the midst of which standse the white Italian marble statue of Mary, patroness of Our Lady of the Lake Parish.

     Michael Breister, church organist, carved and burned the Stations of the Cross on wood and mounted them on wooden poles.  Their rustic appearance blends easily into the rest of the garden.  Each is placed near one of the 14 electric lanterns in the garden.  The Garden was made for use by the entire community and its visitors.

     On Saturday, August 15, 1987, Feast of Mary's Assumption, the Garden of Prayer and the new entrance to the church were dedicated.  At five o'clock in the afternoon Fr. Leo cut the ribbon tied across the white trellis.  He blessed and dedicated the garden.  Mike Breister sang a solo; Marnie Wilson read her original poem written for the occasion.  Other participants were Tom Caestecker, J. Gibbons Zeratsky and Rev. Dwight Bastian, pastor of the Green Lake Federated Church.  A five-thirty Mass in the church was offered by Fr. Leo.  Rev. William Hower, dean of the Green Lake-Marquette Deanery, blessed and dedicated the new entrance.

     These improvements of the garden and entrance were possible by the very generous contributions of Tom Caestecker and many others by their donations of money, labor, trees, park benches, plants, paint and flowers.  The committee who guided the restoration and preservation of the steeple, stained glass windows and all items from the old church used in the renovations, who studied and approved all plans and designs for the Garden of Prayer and the new church entrance, was composed of Terry Kohlman Chairman, Michael Briester, Ralph Bryant, Tom Caestecker, Sharon Chier, Sylvia Froehlicher, David Jankowski, Fr. Leo Joyce. Albert Klaver, Bernard Larson, Monnine McConnell, Francis Ptacek, and Marvin Sonntag.

     The parish was growing.  More members meant more activities, more revenue, and more services needed.  The parish council decided to purchase a computer with the necessary hardware and software to keep membership and financial records.  The rectory basement had been used to count the weekly collections and keep records.  Because of the continuing problem of water seepage, the basement was judged to be too damp for a computer.  After much discussion it was decided to install the computer in the sacristy.  A folding table was kept there and used as a desk and counting table.

Through the years membership in Our Lady of the Lake had been gradually increasing.  The number of catechism children had also increased.  Because catechism instructions were drawing children from three different school districts it was hard to schedule classes except on Sunday mornings.  Space for them was scarce.  Several classes were held in the family Room at the same time, separated by movable screens.  Sound interference between the classes was great and very disruptive.  Fr. Leo felt and expressed his concern for the proper instruction of the children in their religion.

     Plans were made for a new addition to be added to provide the needed classrooms.  Expansion was made from the Family Room northward and included a large area open to the Family Room which could be enclosed with moveable walls to make four classrooms and a hallway.  The addition also included a complex of three offices and a large storage area.  To open the family Room to the addition it was necessary to eliminate the reconciliation room and sacristy that had been built during Fr. Clark's pastorate.  In order to replace them, an extra room was built for these purposes on the north side of the church proper, and a door was cut between it and the main part of the church.  The floor plan of the church was no longer the tau figure but a modified L shape.

     The computer couldn't stand the dust and commotion of building any more than it could stand the humidity of the basement.  Marcella Brightman owned a house on Walker Avenue which abutted church property.  It was not occupied, and she very graciously offered its use to the church.  The computer was installed there, as well as the copier and a counting table.  The kitchen cupboards were used for storage of supplies and records.

     The Learning Center addition was designed by Richard Kempinger, an architect from Oshkosh, and contracted to Dick Cardinal Construction Co. of Fond du Lac.  Subcontractors were Albert Klaver Construction Co., Frank Tomaszewski Plumbing and Heating, and Diann Semrow of Distinctively Diann.  The building committee under the chairmanship of William Boesch were: Tom Caestecker, Al Klaver, William Leupold, Terry Kohlman, Diann Semrow, Sharon Chier, Marcella Brightman, Barb Eddy, Rose Roberts, Jane Piernot, Michael Stagg, Shan Kramer, Mary Jo Smith and Mary Ellen Boesch.  This Learning Center could not have been built without the gifts of Tom Caestecker and many other who gave of their time, talent and treasure.

     A special feature of the Learning Center is the large crucifix hanging there.  This is the same crucifix that Fr. Wagner had commissioned and hung over the main altar of the church as it had been built in 1960.  When Fr. Wagner retired it remained above the altar.  When the church was remodeled in 1979 and the altar was moved to the north side of the church, the wall space behind the altar was not high enough to artistically receive the large crucifix.  As the ceiling of the new Family Room was lowered, the peak of the west wall was covered by the ceiling, and there was no longer space there for such a large crucifix.  At this point Fr. Wagner asked that the crucifix be returned to him.  He had retired to a home in Princeton, where he built a shelter of the proper dimensions to receive it.  He encouraged anyone who wanted to visit and pray before the crucifix to come and do so.

     Upon the death of Fr. Wagner, his possessions were sold at auction, but the crucifix was not included.  It had been bequeathed to a nephew.  Fr. Leo secured it from the nephew and it was brought back to Our Lady of the Church.  It was hung in the Family Room approximately where it had hung before, an opening having been made in the ceiling to accommodate it.  As soon as the Learning Center was completed the crucifix was hung there where it makes a lovely back drop for the lectern when meetings are held there.

     On Sunday, Sept. 24, 1989, the Caestecker Christian Learning Center was dedicated.  Bishop George Wirz celebrated the 11:00 am Eucharist and blessing of the Center.  Food and fellowship in the Learning Center followed.  In the afternoon the children of the parish under the direction of Cathy Ellenbecker and Lynne Conti presented an entertainment, The Gospel of Matthew by Kids.