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. Joseph's Church, Grafton, Wis.

St. Joseph's congregation at Grafton, Ozaukee County, was first organized on November 7, 1849. From that time until 1860, it was attended at different intervals by the resident pastors of surrounding parishes and other priests who in their journeyings passed through that neighborhood. In the year 1860, however, the Rev. William STORR was appointed first resident pastor of St. Joseph's, and as such remained until the latter part of 1865. He then resigned, and on May 31 of the year following the Rev. Father SCHRAUDENBACH assumed the pastorate. During the interval preceding this date, the departure of Father STORR, the congregation was attended by neighboring priests, although the names of such, or their location at that time, is not a matter of record. Father SCHRAUDENBACH continued at Grafton until September 9, 1866, and was succeeded on the 3d of the month following by the Rev. Father STRICKNER, who remained until January 27, 1868. The pastorate was then vacant until June 25, when the Rev. Father DURST was appointed. He, however, left on October 11, his successor, the Rev. J.N.F. MOES, taking up his residence at Grafton on December 1. He left again July 7, 1869. It was during this year that the second church was erected at the mission of St. Francis Xavier, the building occupying an area of 35 x 70 feet. From September 16, 1870, to December 26, 1873, the Rev. Father GSTACH was pastor of St. Joseph's, his successor for a short period being the Rev. Father MARSHALL. From 1873 until 1876 the Rev. S. WOELFL was pastor, and from 1876 to 1880 the Rev. B. H. KORFHAGE. Then, from 1881 to 1886, the Rev. Andrew AMBAUEN maintained the charge, being followed by the Rev. Phillip VOGG, who resided at Grafton from May 11, 1887, to July 5, 1895. Then the present pastor, the Rev. Ign. PRONOLD, assumed the pastorate. For two weeks preceding the arrival of Father PRONOLD, the duties were assumed by the Rev. Father DREES, who, however, owing to failing health, was compelled to discontinue the work. The present congregation of St. Joseph's consists of about sixty families. There is a parochial school connected with this parish, which is conducted by a lay teacher, and has a regular attendance of thirty-five pupils.

The church of St. Francis Xavier, which is attended as a mission by the pastor of St. Joseph's, was visited occasionally by different priests over a half century ago. The first of these, however, of whom record is made, is the Rev. M. HEISS, who held services at that place, at stated periods, from October 14, 1844, to June 13, 1845. The work was then continued by the Rev. Father OBERMUELLER and Dr. SALZMANN, the latter visiting there from march 27, 1847, until 1849. From June 7, 1849, until August 15, 1850, the Rev. Jos. SADLER attended St. Francis. On August 19, 1850, the Rev. P. FABIAN was appointed as first resident pastor of this congregation, and remained as such until December 4, 1851, when the Rev. Leo MANN succeeded to the pastorate. He remained until November 21 of the following year, and was then followed by the Rev. Conrad BECK, who stayed until May 20, 1853. On June 19, of that year, Father FABIAN again assumed the duties, in which he continued until May 27, 1855, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Father BERMADINGER, who remained until March 21, 1856. The Rev. Seb. SEIF was then pastor from May 26, 1856, to September 20, 1857; the Rev. Father SAILER from September 26, 1857, to August 28, 1859; the Rev. S. WEIKMANN, from October 2, 1859, to August 28, 1860; Father FABIAN from 1860 to 1865, and then again the Rev. W. STORR, who, it will be remembered, was the first priest appointed to the pastorate at Grafton. The first church of St. Francis Xavier was built at that mission in the year 1848. The second and present one was erected twenty years later, at which time the congregation consisted of twenty-eight families. For some reason, not given, possibly, however, owing to the gradual changes wrought by time in almost every community, this congregation is now comprised of only twelve families.

The Rev. Ign. PRONOLD completed his studies for the priesthood at the Seminary of St. Francis, near Milwaukee, in June, 1892, and on the 24th day of which month he was ordained. He was then appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church, Milwaukee, at which he remained for three years, when he was transferred to Grafton, by the Rev. A. SCHINNER at that time administrator of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.