The following historical descriptions are transcribed from the book, The Catholic Church in Wisconsin, published by the Catholic Historical Publishing Company, T.J. Sullivan, October 9, 1896.

Ozaukee County Churches

St. Francis Borgia's Church, Cedarburg, Wis.

The first Catholic church in Cedarburg was built of logs, fully fifty-three years ago. The location was about two miles distant from where the city now stands, and there the missionary fathers made occasional visits from the larger and more thoroughly established parishes. In 1852 the old log church was replaced by a frame building which was in constant use until 1870. During these years the pastors attending this congregation were the Rev. Fathers MORRISSEY, 1844; MONAGHAN, 1846; PRENDERGRAST, 1849; COLTON, BRADLEY, 1851; TIERNEY, 1853; DOHERTY, 1854; MANHONEY, HARMON and McMAHON. The present church, St. Francis Borgia, was built by the Rev. Hugh McMAHON, now of Oconomowoc. The church is a fine stone edifice, situated at the head of Main Street, city of Cedarburg, and in the best possible location. Father McMAHON was succeeded by the Rev. John KINSELLA, who died at Franklin some years later. Following Father KINSELLA came Revs. McFARLAND, now of Byron, P.H. DURNIN of St. Rose's Milwaukee, M. WRYNN of Clyman, and F.C. RYAN of St. Mathew's Milwaukee. There are about six hundred members in the congregation.



Father J.W. O'KEEFE, the present pastor, was born in the town of Westport, near Madison, DaneCounty. He entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, in 1882, where he made his full course, being ordained to the priesthood June 21, 1891, by the Most Rev. F.X. KATZER. he was then appointed to the assistant pastorate at St. Joseph's Church, Fond du Lac, where he remained for a few months. His next appointment was as pastor of the Holy Assumption Church at Franklin, where he assumed the duties February 19, 1892. Remaining there until December 15, 1895, he was then appointed to his present pastorate at Cedarburg. Father O'KEEFE also attends St. Mary's Church at Jackson, as a mission.

The little mission of the Immaculate Conception at Jackson, Washington County, is attended every other week by the Rev. J.W. O"KEEFE, pastor of St. Francis Borgia's at Cedarburg. The people comprising this congregation are nearly all of Irish nationality.