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History of St. Matthias Parish

St. Matthias Parish had its beginnings in about 1845 when the Catholic community in this area was known as Holy Cross. These German Catholics were first served by itinerant priests and then by Fr. Mathias Steiger who traveled ten miles from St. Francis to minister to the people. In 1850 Bishop John Martin Henni announced the formal establishment of the parish and appointed Fr. J.A. Stein as pastor. The parish was then called St. Matthias. Although no records indicate the reason for the change in the congregation’s name, it is believed to be named St. Matthias in tribute to Fr. Steiger. Fr. Stein chose a site on the Beloit Road known locally as Whiskey Corners on which to establish the church. Three farming families donated an acre each for the new parish.

The first church building was dedicated on June 22, 1851. The second parish church was dedicated on November 28, 1883, and served the parish until it was razed in 1965 to make way for our present church. Our current church was dedicated in May 21, 1967.

Even from the beginnings of the parish, a school was established, first meeting in the barn of one parishioner and the home of another. Shortly after the first church’s dedication, arrangements were made to move the school to a different building. Lay teachers were first responsible for the school. It was served by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi from 1891-1905. The School Sisters of St. Francis have taught in our school since 1905.

A period of significant growth occurred during Fr. John Krieg’s pastorate. Fr. Krieg was our longest serving pastor, having ministered at the parish from 1934-1965. When he arrived at the parish there were 640 parishioners and 140 children in the school. In comparison, in 1965 there were 8,500 members and over 1,200 students. All buildings currently on our parish grounds, with the exception of the church, were built during Fr. Krieg’s time.

Today we are a parish of approximately 7,300 individuals from almost 3,200 households. Approximately 530 children attend the parish school and 550 children attend our religious education programs. We are a community that is truly “Ever Grateful, Ever Growing”, thankful for the many blessings of the past 150 years and committed to bringing the presence of Christ into this corner of Milwaukee for generations to come.