History of Saint Michael Parish, Jump River, WI
The history of St. Michael's Church begins in Germany with Father Peter Dickopf sent as a missionary to Northern Wisconsin and was the first priest to celebrate Mass in Jump River, then still known as Broederville, at Michael Dietzler's farm on Sunday, June 4, 1908. By 1915 Father Konwinski was having Mass once a month at the Jump River Ladies Aid Hall. Masses were on Tuesday because the priest had to ride the train to Jump River and it did not run on Sunday. With the consent of Father Konwinski, Michael Franzen secured 3 acres of land from the Northwestern Lumber Company for the purpose of building a church. The deed was obtained in September of 1918 for the grand total of $1.00. Mr. Franzen., Mr. Dietzler, Mr. Sylvester Hiss and others set about to raise money to build a church. Donations were obtained among the small congregation. Volunteers cleared the trees, stumps were blown and the land made ready to build a church. Mike Franzen was elected First Secretary and Treasurer of the newly organized congregation. He was unable to attend a meeting for election of the church board, so Mr. Burgoon, Mr. Hiss, and Mr. William Schueller directed the building of the new church. The new church was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The Catholic Extension Society provided for a statue of St. Michael, the priests vestments, the altar stone, the altar itself, and other items needed for religious services. The first congregation sat on planks set on wood blocks, all made from the wood cleared from the church land. It was reported that they were very smooth and comfortable. The building was heated by a wood stove and the first confessional was a curtain hung in the front of the church. One of the oldest living members of St. Michael's parish, Henry Zach, still remembers helping build the church. In 1922 Father Kolman came from Gilman to serve St. Michael's. Mike Franzen obtained $500.00 from the Catholic Extension Society and organized volunteers to finish the church floor, make kneelers, buy chairs (purchased from Montgomery Ward) and purchase Stations of the Cross. Anna, Mrs. Michael Franzen, wrote to the Extension Society to obtain the statue of St. Joseph. Anna Lechleitner donated the statue of Mary and the Sacred Heart. Father Kolman also rode the train to Jump River and Mass was still once a month on Tuesday.
In 1946 Father Dzurko started coming from Gilman and the church committee Ladies Guild began raising funds for a church addition. A new sanctuary was built, insulation installed, and a furnace put in. William Schueller donated the bell. (Bought from the Smith Settlement School) Father Dzurko had the first Mass in the newly remodeled church on December 26, 1954. Masses were now said every Sunday. By this time the congregation consisted of 35 families. Oscar Hink spent much time building and fixing around the church. Oscar and his family for many years took care of the flowers in the 1960's. The current altar was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Heiting and Mr. & Mrs. Joe Foster Sr. In 1982 the church was renovated again, completed August 19, 1982, under the direction of Father William Speerstra and President of the Guild, Clara Pember. The pews and kneelers presently used were purchased in 1982 for a total cost of $10,104.00. August of 1982, the cement slab and sidewalk in front of the steps were put in by the S.M.& P, R. Smith, B. Mengal, and J. Piotrowski. The S.M.& P. was the name of the rail line that used to go through Jump River in its logging days. As of 1985 Trustees were John Olynick and Ervin Schueller, later changed to Delores Olynick and Cindy Piotrowski, under the direction of Father Pokosta. Today the current Trustees are Ervin Schueller and Paula Bromley.
At the first Church Council meeting of July 29, 1985 it was decided to get bids for the new siding for our church. At the second meeting, September 26, 1985, after viewing the bids it was decided to accept Jansen's Siding of Chippewa Falls. We received approval from the bishop October 3, 1985. The cost of the siding was $7,655 with a 30-year warranty. Another company put on the new roof on November 13, 1985. The Board Council members at that time were: Ervin Schuller, Cindy Piotrowski, Kathy Olynick, Greg Steinbach, and Father Francis Pakosta. A new Hammond Spinet Organ was purchased and installed August 13, 1985. It was bought from Jerry's Hammond Organ Company of Eau Claire for $850.00. The Ervin Schueller family paid for half and St. Michael's Ladies Guild paid the other half.
At a meeting on February 5, 1986 it was voted to donate to the Jump River Community Center. St. Michael's dishes, three tables, etc. were donated with the privilege that the church members could use them when needed for weddings, graduations, etc. then returned to the Center in good condition. Our Ladies Guild purchased a new long culvert from Taylor County for our front driveway. It was delivered on July l, 1987 for $231.00. Allen Olynick dug it in. Olynicks donated part so it only cost $100.00.
The following were pastors in St. Michael's:
1923-1946 Wencelaus Kolman
1946-1955 John Dzurko
1955-1958 Edmund Bujalski
1958-1960 Clyde Zarski
1960-1968 George Votruba
1968-1969 Casimir Paul
1969-1975 John Usas
1975-1984 William Speerstra
1984-1992 Francis Pakosta
1992-1996 Gerard Willger
1996-2004 Philip Juza
2004-2012 John Long
2012-present Madanu Sleeva Raju
Two vocations from our parish in Jump River:
Sr. Theresa Schueller and Fr. Vincent Bromley.
Records:
The first baptism was Rosemary May.
The first marriage was William Schueller and Isabella Franzen.
The first funeral was Bertha Verronnen at the age of 12.
Records by the year:
In 1926 there were 2 baptisms, 2 marriages, and 2 funerals.
In 1956 there were 9 baptisms, 2 marriages and 3 funerals.
In 1995 there were 2 baptisms, 1 marriage, and 2 funerals.
1995-2005 there were 15 baptisms, 4 marriages, 5 Confirmations, and 13 funerals.
In 1991, the change from Gilman to Sheldon took place, St. Michael's parish became a mission of Sheldon along with Holy Trinity Conrath. In 1991 the Diocese of Superior closed Holy Trinity Parish in Conrath and St. Michael's was the only mission of Sheldon. In 1992 the cluster changed again when St. Francis Flambeau was added to the cluster. In 1999 the cluster was reformed, of Ss. Peter & Paul - Gilman, St. Stanislaus - Lublin St. John's - Sheldon, St. Michael's - Jump River,
Each fall the parish puts on a large family style dinner around the parish's paternal feast day (first Sunday in October). St. Michael's hosted a polka Mass on November 6, 1994. The Deanery Spring open meeting was held in the Community Center on April 24, 1996. The Deanery President was Gayle Johnson. The fall Deanery meeting was held October 22, 1987 in Jump River Community Center. Helen Geisler was the Deanery President, Cindy Piotrowski was a Commissioner in the S.C. Deanery from 1982-88 in Family Affairs & Community Affairs. Over the years, on Mother's Day, we held our May Crowning Ceremony where the children would crown the Blessed Mother Statue and bring flowers to the alter. Mother's Day roses and carnations are sold all proceeds going to the "Right To Life" at Ladysmith. In 1994 the Mass servers were Chris Olynick, Brian Konsella, Tim Olynick, Ben Steinbach, Joe Scott, Travis Story, Britney and Kayla Olynick. On May 1, 1994 after the First Communion Mass there was a blessing for Ervin and Anna Marie Schueller's 40th Wedding Anniversary.
October 1998 Bernadette Franzen suggested that during advent members purchase "Baby Items" for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Ladysmith. These items are displayed at Christmas time under the tree. A cash donation is also given at this time. This tradition still continues.
On July 19, 2003 Willard and Lucille Hoehn celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary and Jim and Cindy Piotrowski celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary with Father Al Verdegan. On February 23, 2004 the Ladies Guild of St. Michael's donated flashlights to the First Responders of the Jump River area in appreciation for all they do. February 5, 2005 St. Michael's was represented by Cindy Piotrowski at the re-dedication of the Cathedral of Christ the King at Superior. April 2006 the parish voted to have two representatives for the Parish Council for St. Michael's. They are Bud Olson and Cindy Piotrowski.
In 1946 Father Dzurko started coming from Gilman and the church committee Ladies Guild began raising funds for a church addition. A new sanctuary was built, insulation installed, and a furnace put in. William Schueller donated the bell. (Bought from the Smith Settlement School) Father Dzurko had the first Mass in the newly remodeled church on December 26, 1954. Masses were now said every Sunday. By this time the congregation consisted of 35 families. Oscar Hink spent much time building and fixing around the church. Oscar and his family for many years took care of the flowers in the 1960's. The current altar was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Heiting and Mr. & Mrs. Joe Foster Sr. In 1982 the church was renovated again, completed August 19, 1982, under the direction of Father William Speerstra and President of the Guild, Clara Pember. The pews and kneelers presently used were purchased in 1982 for a total cost of $10,104.00. August of 1982, the cement slab and sidewalk in front of the steps were put in by the S.M.& P, R. Smith, B. Mengal, and J. Piotrowski. The S.M.& P. was the name of the rail line that used to go through Jump River in its logging days. As of 1985 Trustees were John Olynick and Ervin Schueller, later changed to Delores Olynick and Cindy Piotrowski, under the direction of Father Pokosta. Today the current Trustees are Ervin Schueller and Paula Bromley.
At the first Church Council meeting of July 29, 1985 it was decided to get bids for the new siding for our church. At the second meeting, September 26, 1985, after viewing the bids it was decided to accept Jansen's Siding of Chippewa Falls. We received approval from the bishop October 3, 1985. The cost of the siding was $7,655 with a 30-year warranty. Another company put on the new roof on November 13, 1985. The Board Council members at that time were: Ervin Schuller, Cindy Piotrowski, Kathy Olynick, Greg Steinbach, and Father Francis Pakosta. A new Hammond Spinet Organ was purchased and installed August 13, 1985. It was bought from Jerry's Hammond Organ Company of Eau Claire for $850.00. The Ervin Schueller family paid for half and St. Michael's Ladies Guild paid the other half.
At a meeting on February 5, 1986 it was voted to donate to the Jump River Community Center. St. Michael's dishes, three tables, etc. were donated with the privilege that the church members could use them when needed for weddings, graduations, etc. then returned to the Center in good condition. Our Ladies Guild purchased a new long culvert from Taylor County for our front driveway. It was delivered on July l, 1987 for $231.00. Allen Olynick dug it in. Olynicks donated part so it only cost $100.00.
The following were pastors in St. Michael's:
1923-1946 Wencelaus Kolman
1946-1955 John Dzurko
1955-1958 Edmund Bujalski
1958-1960 Clyde Zarski
1960-1968 George Votruba
1968-1969 Casimir Paul
1969-1975 John Usas
1975-1984 William Speerstra
1984-1992 Francis Pakosta
1992-1996 Gerard Willger
1996-2004 Philip Juza
2004-2012 John Long
2012-present Madanu Sleeva Raju
Two vocations from our parish in Jump River:
Sr. Theresa Schueller and Fr. Vincent Bromley.
Records:
The first baptism was Rosemary May.
The first marriage was William Schueller and Isabella Franzen.
The first funeral was Bertha Verronnen at the age of 12.
Records by the year:
In 1926 there were 2 baptisms, 2 marriages, and 2 funerals.
In 1956 there were 9 baptisms, 2 marriages and 3 funerals.
In 1995 there were 2 baptisms, 1 marriage, and 2 funerals.
1995-2005 there were 15 baptisms, 4 marriages, 5 Confirmations, and 13 funerals.
In 1991, the change from Gilman to Sheldon took place, St. Michael's parish became a mission of Sheldon along with Holy Trinity Conrath. In 1991 the Diocese of Superior closed Holy Trinity Parish in Conrath and St. Michael's was the only mission of Sheldon. In 1992 the cluster changed again when St. Francis Flambeau was added to the cluster. In 1999 the cluster was reformed, of Ss. Peter & Paul - Gilman, St. Stanislaus - Lublin St. John's - Sheldon, St. Michael's - Jump River,
Each fall the parish puts on a large family style dinner around the parish's paternal feast day (first Sunday in October). St. Michael's hosted a polka Mass on November 6, 1994. The Deanery Spring open meeting was held in the Community Center on April 24, 1996. The Deanery President was Gayle Johnson. The fall Deanery meeting was held October 22, 1987 in Jump River Community Center. Helen Geisler was the Deanery President, Cindy Piotrowski was a Commissioner in the S.C. Deanery from 1982-88 in Family Affairs & Community Affairs. Over the years, on Mother's Day, we held our May Crowning Ceremony where the children would crown the Blessed Mother Statue and bring flowers to the alter. Mother's Day roses and carnations are sold all proceeds going to the "Right To Life" at Ladysmith. In 1994 the Mass servers were Chris Olynick, Brian Konsella, Tim Olynick, Ben Steinbach, Joe Scott, Travis Story, Britney and Kayla Olynick. On May 1, 1994 after the First Communion Mass there was a blessing for Ervin and Anna Marie Schueller's 40th Wedding Anniversary.
October 1998 Bernadette Franzen suggested that during advent members purchase "Baby Items" for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Ladysmith. These items are displayed at Christmas time under the tree. A cash donation is also given at this time. This tradition still continues.
On July 19, 2003 Willard and Lucille Hoehn celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary and Jim and Cindy Piotrowski celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary with Father Al Verdegan. On February 23, 2004 the Ladies Guild of St. Michael's donated flashlights to the First Responders of the Jump River area in appreciation for all they do. February 5, 2005 St. Michael's was represented by Cindy Piotrowski at the re-dedication of the Cathedral of Christ the King at Superior. April 2006 the parish voted to have two representatives for the Parish Council for St. Michael's. They are Bud Olson and Cindy Piotrowski.