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Who We AreThe parish of St. Mary's Assumption is located in the town of Durand, WI, nestled along the Chippewa River. We consist of nearly 1,000 parishioners in over 440 households, many of whom are very involved in the Durand community. We also take great pride in our history of quality Catholic education and support Assumption Catholic School and Noah's Ark Preschool & 4K through such things as the annual Chili Feed with our famous cinnamon rolls. Our PCCW hosts fellowship after Sunday Mass, and the Knights of Columbus draws a crowd each year at Fun Fest with their annual Pancake Breakfast.
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How We Got Here
Article by Julie Hoffman and Jan Spindler*
A mission parish was established in the Durand area in 1860 and served by Fr. Benedict Smeddinck, pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls. In 1876, a wood frame church was built, and Fr. Albert Mendl became the first resident pastor.
Under the pastorate of Fr. Joseph Mary Baur (1881-1898), a second brick church was built in 1885. In 1886, a school opened in the former wood church. In 1914, and new school was built and was run by the Sisters of St. Francis during the pastorate of Fr. Peter Trierweiler. The cornerstone for the current church was laid in 1930 and the church was dedicated in 1931. Fr. Henry J. Artman was pastor during this time, serving from 1919-1938. Fr. John Murphy was pastor from 1949 to 1953. Monsignor Stephen Anderl came to St. Mary's in 1953 and served until 1982. During his 29 years at St. Mary's, a new school was built (1967), and the church interior was remodeled.
Consolidation of St. Mary's School and Holy Rosary Lima School took place in 1998 during the pastorate of Fr. Edward Shuttleworth. Under the new arrangement, Holy Rosary Lima houses grades K-3 and St. Mary's Durand houses grades 4-8 and preschool. In the year 2000, St. Mary's Assumption, Holy Rosary Lima, and Sacred Heart Mondovi were combined as a Tri-Parish served by one pastor. From 2000 to 2009, Fr. Jeffery Burrill served as pastor for the Tri-Parishes.
In 2004, St. Mary's began work on an addition to the church, which included a gathering space, elevator, handicap accessibility, and a covered drive-up for parishioners to enter the church. There were also interior and exterior repairs and remodeling, which included recreation of the mural of the Blessed Virgin Mary behind the altar. St. Mary's Assumption celebrated the 150th anniversary of the parish in the renovated church in 2010. Monsignor Richard Gilles, Vicar General of the Diocese, celebrated Mass on the Feast of the Assumption in honor of the 150th anniversary. Con-celebrating were St. Mary's pastor, Fr. Al Jakubowski, and former pastor Fr. Edwin Thome; Deacon James Weingart assisted.
*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).
A mission parish was established in the Durand area in 1860 and served by Fr. Benedict Smeddinck, pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls. In 1876, a wood frame church was built, and Fr. Albert Mendl became the first resident pastor.
Under the pastorate of Fr. Joseph Mary Baur (1881-1898), a second brick church was built in 1885. In 1886, a school opened in the former wood church. In 1914, and new school was built and was run by the Sisters of St. Francis during the pastorate of Fr. Peter Trierweiler. The cornerstone for the current church was laid in 1930 and the church was dedicated in 1931. Fr. Henry J. Artman was pastor during this time, serving from 1919-1938. Fr. John Murphy was pastor from 1949 to 1953. Monsignor Stephen Anderl came to St. Mary's in 1953 and served until 1982. During his 29 years at St. Mary's, a new school was built (1967), and the church interior was remodeled.
Consolidation of St. Mary's School and Holy Rosary Lima School took place in 1998 during the pastorate of Fr. Edward Shuttleworth. Under the new arrangement, Holy Rosary Lima houses grades K-3 and St. Mary's Durand houses grades 4-8 and preschool. In the year 2000, St. Mary's Assumption, Holy Rosary Lima, and Sacred Heart Mondovi were combined as a Tri-Parish served by one pastor. From 2000 to 2009, Fr. Jeffery Burrill served as pastor for the Tri-Parishes.
In 2004, St. Mary's began work on an addition to the church, which included a gathering space, elevator, handicap accessibility, and a covered drive-up for parishioners to enter the church. There were also interior and exterior repairs and remodeling, which included recreation of the mural of the Blessed Virgin Mary behind the altar. St. Mary's Assumption celebrated the 150th anniversary of the parish in the renovated church in 2010. Monsignor Richard Gilles, Vicar General of the Diocese, celebrated Mass on the Feast of the Assumption in honor of the 150th anniversary. Con-celebrating were St. Mary's pastor, Fr. Al Jakubowski, and former pastor Fr. Edwin Thome; Deacon James Weingart assisted.
*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
ST. MARY'S ASSUMPTION
911 W Prospect St
Durand, WI 54736
911 W Prospect St
Durand, WI 54736
*The address above is physical only. Please send mail to P.O. Box 188, Durand, WI 54736.