Historical points

St Mary's Oratory of the Immaculate Conception. Wausau, Wisconsin

    In the beginning of the year 1999, the Most Reverend Bishop of La Crosse, Raymond L. Burke, graciously permitted the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest to move to St. Mary's on Grand Avenue in Wausau, Wisconsin. This beautiful century-old neo-Gothic church dates from 1893 and is actually the original mother parish of Wausau. St. Mary's used to be a German-speaking parish and still in the 30's of the last century, the Sunday sermons were given in German. The church is one of the most beautiful examples for American neo-Gothic architecture in Wisconsin and also has been very ornate in its interior. In 1953, a terrible fire destroyed not only the high and side altars but also the complete interior of St. Mary's. During the following years, it was restored to a more modern style combining the taste of the time with some elements taken from the original neo-Gothic features. Even if in the 20th century, other Catholic parishes were founded in Wausau and the fire destroyed the antique beauty of the building, still the church remained for its location the most prominent old ecclesiastical edifice in the city of Wausau.

Oratory of the Immaculate Conception. Glass window.

  

The Institute at St. Mary's

    It was, therefore, with special joy that the Institute and the faithful attached to the Traditional Rite received the good news of the Bishop's permission to move into this church, which had been free because of a recent parish merger in Wausau.

    The Scholz Family Foundation obtained a long-term lease from the Diocese for St. Mary's and began immediately a total restoration of the whole facility. With a very generous donation, the Scholz Family Foundation opened the possibility of bringing to St. Mary's the splendor of the high Gothic architecture achieved by copying exactly three beautiful altars of the Blutenburg chapel in Munich, Bavaria. American and European artists, craftsmen, and architects collaborate in this unique project that will, once finished, attract many people to the traditional Latin Mass.

Oratory of the Immaculate Conception and Central Office. Wausau, Wisconsin

The Restoration project,

Ended in May 2003

    At this point in time, the plaster ribs and all the gothic plaster ornamentation of the Oratory are already accomplished, as is likewise the painting of the ribs, the ceiling, choir loft, and the organ. Around 150 flower bouquets in Gothic style embellish the vault of the church showing classical Gothic flower types, together with Wisconsin wild flowers, taken from the beautifully landscaped gardens that surround St. Mary's Oratory. The colorful bright interior in this way is closely linked to the gorgeous exterior of the church, which not only displays many varieties of blossoming plants but also allows spaces for prayer and meditation. The pro-life memorial dedicated to St. Joseph and an outside stone altar dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima that will serve for processionals complete the much admired landscaping of St. Mary's Gardens. The rest of the beautiful restoration shall be completed by the end of May 2003 when the church will be consecrated by the Most Reverend Bishop of La Crosse, Raymond L. Burke, who wholeheartedly fosters the developments at the Oratory.

A Public Oratory,

        Recently, Bishop Burke gave St. Mary's the dignity of a public Oratory, which means that its care is totally confided to the Institute of Christ the King, whose Prior General also appoints its rector.

Interior of the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception. before restoration.

   At the same time, St. Mary's Oratory enjoys the privilege of all the ecclesiastical records so that the faithful who have chosen to participate at the beautiful Latin liturgy have also the right to receive all necessary sacraments according to the same Traditional Rite. In doing so, the Bishop of La Crosse follows exactly the expressed wishes of the Holy Father in Rome who encouraged the Bishops to give the generous permission of participating in the Traditional Liturgy to all those who wish for it.

Renovation sketch of the interior of the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception. Wausau, Wisconsin

     As a matter of fact, St. Mary's Oratory is a thriving apostolate in the Institute of Christ the King, and the number of the attending faithful is visibly growing every Sunday. Many people have decided to move from other locations to Wausau to be able to assist at the solemn liturgy in St. Mary's where three priests of the Institute take great care of the liturgical and pastoral work needed by the faithful. As in all places where the Institute of Christ the King is present, also at St. Mary's Oratory in Wausau, we have many young families with a great number of children of all ages. It is touching to see how the Latin Mass attracts the younger generations and how diligently our altar boys are serving at Mass. The future of St. Mary's Oratory is thoroughly under the protection of the Blessed Mother, and with her help, St. Mary's Oratory will certainly attract many more people in the years to come.