How Your Donation Helps

The 21st century has not been kind to rural Catholic parishes. A shortage of priests has caused the closing of some parishes while others are being merged. In 2000 St. Lawrence, along with two other parishes, became part of the St. Therese De Lisieux parish.

After these closures many of the churches that the Catholic diocese deemed unnecessary then had their furnishings auctioned off and the buildings have been sold or demolished.

A group of descendants of the early founders and others who are interested in seeing that the magnificent art and historical culture of St Lawrence Church escapes the fate of the auction block or obsolescence, banded together to form The Friends of St. Lawrence Foundation to preserve this historical church and its place in the local Bohemian culture so generations for years to come may enjoy this piece of history and art.

The St Lawrence Church and Rectory are listed on the U.S. National and State of Wisconsin Historical Register through the efforts of one of the immigrant ancestors. While obtaining this historical listing designation has been instrumental in preserving the church and its history there is still much work to be done. The goal of the foundation is to provide an endowment fund that will be self-supporting and provide for the preservation and maintenance of St Lawrence Church should the Catholic Diocese abandon it.

The foundation board of directors all serve as non-salaried volunteers. All donations go directly to preservation efforts and maintenance of this magnificent historic church. Contributions are tax-exempt from federal income tax, federal estate tax, and federal gift purposes to the fullest extent of the law.