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Welcome to the Mother Parish of Eau Claire! Formed in 1858 as the
"St. Peter Mission" on North Barstow Street. The Parish of Saint Patrick
was renamed in 1865. Sacred Heart Parish (German) was formed from
St. Pat's in 1875. In 1882 Fr. John G. Collins completed a new $31,000
church/school at Oxford & Fulton Streets despite complaints about the
remote uninhabited "wilderness" on this side of the river.
Fire destroyed the church on Oct 7, 1884. High water delayed the
firemen until a steam ferry transported the engine. James T. Campbell,
a young man of the parish, rescued the Blessed Sacrament from the
church. Later, on June 30, 1895 he celebrated his First Mass as the
parish's first priest-son. The present church was rebuilt by fall of 1885.
The legendary priest, Fr. A.B.C. Dunne ("Convert Maker of the West")
was pastor from 1889 to 1927. His popular Lenten lectures filled the
church to capacity with Catholics and Protestants alike. Legend has it
William Jennings Bryan remarked that if he'd talked like Fr. Dunne, he'd
have been President of the United States! Fr. Dunne invited Sr.
Anatolia, OSB (who knew General Custer), and three other Benedictine
sisters (including his sister, Sr. Theodore) from St Joseph MN to run the
school in 1892. A new school was erected in 1906, a convent in 1909
and rectory in 1914.
Fr. Dunne's assistant, Fr. Casper E. Dowd, succeeded him as pastor
from 1927-1946. He introduced a four year high school in 1931, the
predecessor of Regis High School built in 1953 by then parish assistant
& principal, Fr. John J. Paul ( former Bishop). Under Fr. Bernard
McGarty, the present renovation was completed 1976 by the Conrad
Schmitt Studio winning many architectural awards. Of special interest
are the Stations of the Cross by Munich artist, Martin Feuerstein, and
the delicate stained glass windows by the Emil Frei Glass Co. The
sonorous 20 rank Kimball organ (1920's?) was rebuilt in 1983 by the
Gustav Fabry Co of Chicago. Buildings reflect faith; our parish has
given the Church over 30 priestly and 55 religious vocations.
On January 1, 1999, after 124 years, Saint Patrick and Sacred Heart
Parishes were united. If the "past is prologue", we have a bright future
together.
We'd love to have you worship with us. As one parishioner puts it: "As
long as you're at St. Patrick's, you're Irish!"
For all that has been….THANKS; for all that will be…..YES!"
Dag Hammarskjold
"St. Peter Mission" on North Barstow Street. The Parish of Saint Patrick
was renamed in 1865. Sacred Heart Parish (German) was formed from
St. Pat's in 1875. In 1882 Fr. John G. Collins completed a new $31,000
church/school at Oxford & Fulton Streets despite complaints about the
remote uninhabited "wilderness" on this side of the river.
Fire destroyed the church on Oct 7, 1884. High water delayed the
firemen until a steam ferry transported the engine. James T. Campbell,
a young man of the parish, rescued the Blessed Sacrament from the
church. Later, on June 30, 1895 he celebrated his First Mass as the
parish's first priest-son. The present church was rebuilt by fall of 1885.
The legendary priest, Fr. A.B.C. Dunne ("Convert Maker of the West")
was pastor from 1889 to 1927. His popular Lenten lectures filled the
church to capacity with Catholics and Protestants alike. Legend has it
William Jennings Bryan remarked that if he'd talked like Fr. Dunne, he'd
have been President of the United States! Fr. Dunne invited Sr.
Anatolia, OSB (who knew General Custer), and three other Benedictine
sisters (including his sister, Sr. Theodore) from St Joseph MN to run the
school in 1892. A new school was erected in 1906, a convent in 1909
and rectory in 1914.
Fr. Dunne's assistant, Fr. Casper E. Dowd, succeeded him as pastor
from 1927-1946. He introduced a four year high school in 1931, the
predecessor of Regis High School built in 1953 by then parish assistant
& principal, Fr. John J. Paul ( former Bishop). Under Fr. Bernard
McGarty, the present renovation was completed 1976 by the Conrad
Schmitt Studio winning many architectural awards. Of special interest
are the Stations of the Cross by Munich artist, Martin Feuerstein, and
the delicate stained glass windows by the Emil Frei Glass Co. The
sonorous 20 rank Kimball organ (1920's?) was rebuilt in 1983 by the
Gustav Fabry Co of Chicago. Buildings reflect faith; our parish has
given the Church over 30 priestly and 55 religious vocations.
On January 1, 1999, after 124 years, Saint Patrick and Sacred Heart
Parishes were united. If the "past is prologue", we have a bright future
together.
We'd love to have you worship with us. As one parishioner puts it: "As
long as you're at St. Patrick's, you're Irish!"
For all that has been….THANKS; for all that will be…..YES!"
Dag Hammarskjold
