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)
The first missionary to visit Odanah was Fr. Augustu Van Parmel, who came from La Pointe on occasional visits from 1855 to 1859. In 1868, Fr. John Chebul built the first Catholic church in Odanah. In 1882, Bishop Kilian Flasch of La Crosse administered the first Confirmation service in Odanah. In 1883 the church was dedicated under the patronage of the Sorrowful Mother. Later that year, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from La Crosse opened a parish school in Odanah. The school remained open until 1969. In 1878, the Franciscan Fathers of the St. Louis Province took over parishes serving northern Wisconsin’s native population, including St. Mary Parish. In 1888, Katharine Drexel, who was named a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2000, visited Odanah. Born to wealthy parents in Philadelphia, she purchased the former 160-acre Presbyterian mission for the Catholic mission, which was the site of today’s St. Mary Church. Renovations during the past century have kept it in its original condition. In 1999, St. Mary Parish celebrated its centennial with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss. Members of the Franciscan religious order, as well as the Franciscan Sisters of La Crosse, were on hand for the celebration. Earlier in the year, the Franciscan Fathers turned the parish back to the Bishop of Superior, ending a 121- year service to the community. The last resident priest was Franciscan Fr. Michael Lange, who died before the centennial celebration.