St. Francis

The history of the Diocese of Superior dates back to the 17th century. Our Journey Through Faith offers a glimpse into the historic events that played a role in the growth of Catholicism in Northern Wisconsin. Diocese of Superior - Statistics

Our Journey through Faith: A History of the Diocese of Superior,

View the summary from the last Parish self-assessment questionnaire conducted in 2012.

Read the 98-page Executive Report 2013 (PDF)

Founded in 1861, St. Francis Church, with about 150 members, is located on the Red Cliff (Buffalo Bay) Reservation, one of the smallest reservations in Wisconsin. The Franciscan friars arrived in the area on October 13, 1878. Fr. Casimir Vogt was the first Franciscan priest to celebrate Mass in the little chapel at Red Cliff. The Franciscan Sisters from Joliet, IL, began teaching at the Red Cliff school in 1889. In 1947, the school burned down. It was replaced with a new building, but the school eventually closed in 1959. Local artist Rita Vanderventer spent the winter of 2002-2003 painting murals in the church hall. One full wall depicts Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Other murals depict Madonna and Child, and St. Francis of Assisi. On the ceiling the artist painted highlights of the life of St. Francis, for whom the church is named.