History of St. Mary Help of Christians, Briggsville
Picturesque St. Mary Help of Christians is situated in a peaceful setting overlooking Lake Mason, a popular fishing lake in the small village of Briggsville.
In 1851, St. Mary was established by a Green Bay priest to serve a large number of Irish immigrants who had settled in the area.
Pioneers attended Mass in private homes until Mr. Briggs donated two large lake lots for the church in Briggs' Mill. The first priest to serve the people was Rev. Godhart, a Frenchman who came twice during the autumn of 1851. About six years later, Rev. Doyle built the first church.
On a windy Memorial Day, 1924, referred to as "the blackest day" in parish history, the church burned to the ground. The present brick church was erected on the site of the first structure and completed by 1926. Today the congregation has grown to 132 family units.
|
|