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Who We AreMost Holy Rosary Parish is a rural parish in the township of Lima, WI, established in 1886 by Austrian immigrants. This cultural heritage is evident in many things, such things as our delicious poppy rolls that sell out each Fall Festival. People also come from miles around to partake of our famous Friday night Fish Fries (October-March), hosted by our dedicated Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW). The PCCW, which remains active today, began as the parish Altar Society, selling eggs to support our Catholic School in the early years of the parish.
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We are proud of our long tradition of quality, faith-filled education. When Holy Rosary consolidated with St. Mary's in Durand back in the 1990's, our schools also consolidated. We now proudly support the Lima campus of Assumption Catholic School, hosting grades K-3.
How We Got Here
Article by Lori Danzinger*
Holy Rosary Parish, Lima, was established by Austrian immigrants who arrived in America around 1871. They made their long and difficult journey to the area that is now the Lima township traveling by ship and railway, and with help from German speaking Catholics. The first groups had to walk to Lima from Durand or Red Cedar, carrying their luggage on their backs. By 1882 there were about 50 families living in the Lima area. They made the long journey by horse and wagon to attend Mass in Durand. The idea to have a church of their own which was closer to their homes was proposed.
Holy Rosary Parish Lima, Wisconsin was established by Austrian immigrants who heard stories of a better life in America. All that was needed was the will to work, common sense, and thrift. Our Austrian ancestors possessed all these qualities and arrived in America around 1871. They made their journey to the Lima area with the help from German speaking Catholics. It was a very difficult and long journey traveling by railway and ship, finally arriving in either Durand or the Red Cedar area.
The first groups had to walk to Lima carrying their luggage on their backs. By 1882 there were about 50 families in the Lima area. They would make the long journey by horse and wagon to attend Mass in Durand. The idea to have a church of their own that was closer to their homes was proposed. They were met with opposition at first but persisted. Around 1885 Bishop Kilian Flasch granted permission to the Lima people to build their church.
The church was dedicated in November 1886 by Rev. Joseph Baur of Durand who blessed the church and the bell. For several years Rev. Baur and later Rev. Charles Weikmann held Mass once a month and later twice a month. As the Lima congregation grew, they approached Bishop Schwebach with the request for their own pastor. Rev. Godfrey Noever arrived at Lima August 19, 1902.
In 1912 Father Caspar began his ministry at Lima. The building of the new rectory was in progress and he persuaded the people of Lima to also build a school. Sacred Heart School opened its doors the first week of September 1915. Sister M. Ambrose wrote about how “this place is always prospering.”
When Rev. Joseph Eisenmann came to Lima in March 1927 his first important mission was to enlarge the school building to include a high school. The Lima area was indeed growing and prospering. Even the old church was too small and a motion to start a new church building fund carried unanimously in 1931. The great depression hit and work on the new church was delayed until 1936. The new church was to be built on the site of the old church, so Mass was said in a school classroom. Bishop Griffin came to lay the cornerstone June 28, 1936 and the glad day of its complete dedication to God was May 17, 1937.
Rev. Nicholas Kreibich came to Lima in 1941. During this time a consolidation of schools took place, which meant more children were coming to Sacred Heart School Lima. Later, under the leadership of Rev. Charles Wolf, a new rectory was built and the old rectory was remodeled into a convent for the Sisters. A combined gymnasium-recreation center was completed which included a bowling alley. Lima basketball teams used the gym from 1951 until recently.
Music has always played an important part in the lives of the people of the Lima area. A new Schaefer organ was installed in the church in 1951 and cost about $10,000. In 1957 the High School band had risen to a class A band; winning many awards. Two records were produced by the group. Officially the famous Lima High School Band closed out its career by playing at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee after the High School closed in 1966. The ninth grade was dropped in 1967, the eighth in 1969 and the seventh in 1970. The Lima Polka Choir was formed in 1974 and their music adds so much to the celebration of Mass in many area churches to this day.
Rising costs of fuel oil and being faced with an aging and drafty school building caused the parish to look into building a new school or to close it entirely. Under the leadership of Father Richard Herrmann and Bishop Frederick Freking a new school was approved by the Diocese May 15, 1981. A new combination oil and wood burning furnace was installed and now heats the new school, gym, church and convent. Even today, many volunteers cut wood to keep the buildings heated, bringing back the pioneer spirit of our ancestors. Fall Festivals featuring Lima’s famous poppy seed rolls have also been an important source of income and camaraderie.
Due to a shortage of priests, under the leadership of Father Shuttleworth, St. Mary’s of Durand and Holy Rosary Lima began sharing a priest in July 1996. In July of 1999 Sacred Heart Parish of Mondovi joined; making us a tri-parish. So we have sort of come full circle once again sharing a priest just as our Austrian ancestors did back in 1882. Lima continues to be richly blessed in faith, love, and generosity. “ This place is always prospering.”
*This article was originally written for the book "Feeb My Lambs", which was compiled by the Diocese of La Crosse in celebration of 150 years as a diocese (1868-2018).
Holy Rosary Parish, Lima, was established by Austrian immigrants who arrived in America around 1871. They made their long and difficult journey to the area that is now the Lima township traveling by ship and railway, and with help from German speaking Catholics. The first groups had to walk to Lima from Durand or Red Cedar, carrying their luggage on their backs. By 1882 there were about 50 families living in the Lima area. They made the long journey by horse and wagon to attend Mass in Durand. The idea to have a church of their own which was closer to their homes was proposed.
Holy Rosary Parish Lima, Wisconsin was established by Austrian immigrants who heard stories of a better life in America. All that was needed was the will to work, common sense, and thrift. Our Austrian ancestors possessed all these qualities and arrived in America around 1871. They made their journey to the Lima area with the help from German speaking Catholics. It was a very difficult and long journey traveling by railway and ship, finally arriving in either Durand or the Red Cedar area.
The first groups had to walk to Lima carrying their luggage on their backs. By 1882 there were about 50 families in the Lima area. They would make the long journey by horse and wagon to attend Mass in Durand. The idea to have a church of their own that was closer to their homes was proposed. They were met with opposition at first but persisted. Around 1885 Bishop Kilian Flasch granted permission to the Lima people to build their church.
The church was dedicated in November 1886 by Rev. Joseph Baur of Durand who blessed the church and the bell. For several years Rev. Baur and later Rev. Charles Weikmann held Mass once a month and later twice a month. As the Lima congregation grew, they approached Bishop Schwebach with the request for their own pastor. Rev. Godfrey Noever arrived at Lima August 19, 1902.
In 1912 Father Caspar began his ministry at Lima. The building of the new rectory was in progress and he persuaded the people of Lima to also build a school. Sacred Heart School opened its doors the first week of September 1915. Sister M. Ambrose wrote about how “this place is always prospering.”
When Rev. Joseph Eisenmann came to Lima in March 1927 his first important mission was to enlarge the school building to include a high school. The Lima area was indeed growing and prospering. Even the old church was too small and a motion to start a new church building fund carried unanimously in 1931. The great depression hit and work on the new church was delayed until 1936. The new church was to be built on the site of the old church, so Mass was said in a school classroom. Bishop Griffin came to lay the cornerstone June 28, 1936 and the glad day of its complete dedication to God was May 17, 1937.
Rev. Nicholas Kreibich came to Lima in 1941. During this time a consolidation of schools took place, which meant more children were coming to Sacred Heart School Lima. Later, under the leadership of Rev. Charles Wolf, a new rectory was built and the old rectory was remodeled into a convent for the Sisters. A combined gymnasium-recreation center was completed which included a bowling alley. Lima basketball teams used the gym from 1951 until recently.
Music has always played an important part in the lives of the people of the Lima area. A new Schaefer organ was installed in the church in 1951 and cost about $10,000. In 1957 the High School band had risen to a class A band; winning many awards. Two records were produced by the group. Officially the famous Lima High School Band closed out its career by playing at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee after the High School closed in 1966. The ninth grade was dropped in 1967, the eighth in 1969 and the seventh in 1970. The Lima Polka Choir was formed in 1974 and their music adds so much to the celebration of Mass in many area churches to this day.
Rising costs of fuel oil and being faced with an aging and drafty school building caused the parish to look into building a new school or to close it entirely. Under the leadership of Father Richard Herrmann and Bishop Frederick Freking a new school was approved by the Diocese May 15, 1981. A new combination oil and wood burning furnace was installed and now heats the new school, gym, church and convent. Even today, many volunteers cut wood to keep the buildings heated, bringing back the pioneer spirit of our ancestors. Fall Festivals featuring Lima’s famous poppy seed rolls have also been an important source of income and camaraderie.
Due to a shortage of priests, under the leadership of Father Shuttleworth, St. Mary’s of Durand and Holy Rosary Lima began sharing a priest in July 1996. In July of 1999 Sacred Heart Parish of Mondovi joined; making us a tri-parish. So we have sort of come full circle once again sharing a priest just as our Austrian ancestors did back in 1882. Lima continues to be richly blessed in faith, love, and generosity. “ This place is always prospering.”
*This article was originally written for the book "Feeb My Lambs", which was compiled by the Diocese of La Crosse in celebration of 150 years as a diocese (1868-2018).
VISIT US
MOST HOLY ROSARY, LIMA*
N6235 County Road V
Durand, WI 54736
N6235 County Road V
Durand, WI 54736
*The address above is physical only. Please send mail to P.O. Box 188, Durand, WI 54736.