Take a good look at St. Mary’s Parish-Appleton’s original Catholic outpost. Picture yourself standing here in 1859, when the air tingled with excitement and a little bit of holy nervousness. Irish Catholic families, tired but hopeful, gathered together to build their first-ever place of worship in the wilds of Wisconsin. By 1860, they finished the church-a modest wooden building, dedicated to Mary under the brave title “St. Mary of the Seven Dolors.” That’s old-school Catholic for “Mary of the Seven Sorrows,” in case you’re counting along at home-seven sorrows, one whole lot of faith.
You’re also standing near the resting place of one of America’s most controversial senators-Joseph McCarthy. He’s buried right here in the parish cemetery. Wonder if anyone tries to debate politics with him now? And if you’ve ever heard of John Tracy, local Wisconsin legend and State Assemblyman, he and his family spent many Sundays right here, singing hymns and probably hoping the sermons wouldn’t run long.
So next time you walk past, imagine a bustling crowd in their Sunday best, bells ringing in the crisp Wisconsin air, and maybe some whispered prayers for good weather-or at the very least, for the sermon to finish before lunch.
