Saint William Catholic Church

Parish Mission

The mission of Divine Mercy Parish is to become more faithful and fruitful disciples ourselves, and to invite others to the joy of knowing and following Jesus Christ.

Our Vision

We believe that every person has four core spiritual needs: to encounter Jesus, to have accompaniment on their spiritual journey, to find community in the Body of Christ, and to live out the mission of the Church. By following our Parish Mission, to meet Christ, follow Christ, and bear Christ, we aim to fill the four spiritual needs in every person within our community.

The History of St. William

St. William Church (originally St. Raphael) was organized by a group of German and Irish families under Archbishop John Martin Henni of Milwaukee. During the 1850’s and early 1860’s, priests from Oregon, WI, celebrated Mass in the parishioners’ homes.

The church was first built on Schaller Road where the parish cemetery was located in 1869. The Statue on the front of the Church is the Spiritual Warrior Saint William of Bourges. He carries a cross, a bible, and a Warrior helmet. His feast day is January 10. 100-year-old vestments from France and old Bibles were found in the attic as repairs were being done on the ceiling by Dave Coons, so in 1969 he decided to build two cabinets to display them. The cases were approved by Fr. Joseph Brechtl in 1968. They were built and blessed By Fr. Thomas R. Massion. Father John Obermueller of Madison was the first pastor. In 1872, Father Nicholas Stehle replaced him as resident pastor, and a rectory was built next to the the church. At that time, St. James of Dayton was a mission of St. William; however, when the Dayton congregation purchased a parsonage in 1874, the priest moved there, making St. William the mission church.

In the 1890’s the church became too small, and a new church was erected in the village of Paoli in 1900. Eighty-seven residents of Paoli and the vicinity, including Catholics and Protestants, pledged $3,810 toward the building of a new church. St. William later became a mission of St. Andrew Church in Verona, WI.

St. Williams Parish had their picnics on June 25 to celebrate St. William. The chicken dinners and desserts were made by the women of the church and the owner of the Paoli bar. His name was Arnold Palmer. He was a parishioner who gave away free soda and dinners selling for 50 cents. He would also have three bartenders on staff to help serve, but they said most of the men visited the tavern. They would have lots of games, bingo, etc.

St. William Church was destroyed by fire on July 28, 1925, during the 25th anniversary celebration of the building of the church. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on September 13, 1925, and the first Mass was celebrated in the basement. In 1934, the church was remodeled, and on June 29, 1969, St. William celebrated its centennial. The land also was donated to the church on a 100-year easement from the Palmer family.

Father Eugene Bauhs, resident pastor in Verona, began ministering at St. William in 1970. Monsignor Delbert Schmelzer became pastor until his retirement in 2001. He was assisted by various retired priests in the Diocese: Monsignor Edward Auchter, Father Joseph Niglis, Father Wilfred Schuster and Father Larry Heitke.