History

Celebrating St. John the Baptist

On Wednesday, June 24th, the church celebrated the birth of our patron, St. John the Baptist.  We had a special liturgy to celebrate this feast followed by fellowship in the Heritage Room.  Thank you to everyone who helped with the liturgy and to our wonderful parishioners who attended the Mass.
 
Fr. James McNamee concelebrated the Mass and  preached offering information on both the saint and the history of our parish.  Below are some excerpts from Fr. McNamee’s homily:
 
On St. John the Baptist:
John the Baptist was born through the intercession of God to Zachariah and Elizabeth, who was otherwise too old to bear children.  According to scriptures, the Angel Gabriel visited Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them they would have a son and that they should name him John.  Zachariah was skeptical and for this he was rendered mute until the time his son was born and named him John, in fulfillment of God’s will.
 
It was believed that John was a member of the Jewish Essene Community until he began his public ministry around 30AD, and was known for attaching large crowds across the province of Judaea and around the Jordan River.  When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John recognized him and said, “It is I who need baptism from you.”
 
Following his baptism of Christ, John’s popularity grew so much that he alarmed King Herod.  Herod ordered him arrested and imprisoned.  John spoke with Herod on several occasions and condemned his marriage to his half-brother’s wife.   This condemnation would be John’s downfall as Kind Herod promised to grant a wish to his daughter.  In revenge for John the Baptist’s condemnation of her mother’s scandalous marriage to Herod, she asked for John’s head.  King Herod reluctantly obliged.  John the Baptist died sometime between 33 and 36 AD.
 
On St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello
· There is no record of why the name St. John the Baptist was selected for our parish.  It is believed that this was a decision of the Bishop at the time of the formation of the parish.   The parish was part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee until 1946 when the Diocese of Madison was formed.
· The first church, a log structure, was built in 1851 across the road from our present parish cemetery.
· In 1856 a new church was built near the site of the Montello Quarry.  This was a flimsy building about 30’x 20’ in size.
· The first resident pastor of the parish arrived in 1862.
· In 1876, the flimsy church was rebuilt with a larger building near the quarry.
· In 1885, the pastor, Fr. Lamar was instrumental in bringing the first telephone service to the area.
· In 1887 the first school was built near the quarry.  It was later moved area of the northwest corner of our present parking lot.
· Over the years the school was staffed by Religious Sisters from Bay Settlement, Silver Lake, the School Sisters of St. Francis and the Dominican Sisters.
· The present church building was built and dedicated in 1903.
· In 1909 the church bell was blessed
· Between 1917-1920 the present pipe organ was installed and blessed.
· In 1960-61, the parish established the mission parish of Good Shepherd in Westfield.
· In 1965 a new school building was built and dedicated.
· In 1966 the church was renovated to conform to the directions of the Vatican Council II.
· In 1985, the church was again renovated this time to restore some of the original features of the church.
· Over the years, there have been 33 resident priests and 2 associate pastors serving St. John the Baptist Parish.
· The parish has been a great source of religious vocations and there have been 18 religious sisters and 12 priests from our parish.  Additionally, one man moved to Wauwatosa WI prior to his ordination to the priesthood.
 
Thank you to Fr. McNamee for sharing these wonderful words with us and thank you to every member of St. Joh the Baptist Parish for marking our local parish so very special and spiritual.

Westfield, WI
 
Prior to the creation of Good Shepherd Parish, Catholic residents of the Westfield area worshipped at St. John the Baptist in Montello, St. Ann in Brooks or St. Methodius at Pilot Knob (both in Adams County and part of the LaCrosse Diocese).  These residents always dreamed of having a Catholic parish in Westfield, so they shared that dream with the Chancery office in Madison and on March 9, 1960 the parish was officially established.  On March 12, 1960, Fr. Gideon Kosterman, pastor of St. John the Baptist in Montello was also named pastor of the new parish and he proposed naming it Good Shepherd.  Later that year.  land was purchased for the new church, building plans were developed and a fund drive was begun.  Construction continued on the new church that year and on June 28, 1961, Bishop William O’Connor consecrated the altar.  The first Mass in the new church was a wedding liturgy on July 1, 1961 and the church was officially dedicated on August 20, 1961.
 
The church facility seats approximately 160 people with room for overflow seating in the narthex.  The lower level includes a large kitchen and classroom space for the Religious Education Program.  Throughout its history, the parish has consistently maintained and upgraded its facilities.  In the late 1980’s, air conditioning was added to the church, in 1989 the crying room was removed to create a gathering area and in 1995 an elevator was installed to make both floors of the parish handicapped accessible.
 
Good Shepherd has always made a strong commitment to providing sound Catechetical instruction to its parishioners.  A formal Religious Education program was established in 1980 by Fr. George Fox under the leadership of Mrs. Darlene Duley.
 
Good Shepherd has always been a mission parish of St. John the Baptist in Montello.  Following Fr. Kosterman, the priests who have served both parishes are:  Fr. Donald Wagner (1962), Fr. George Hastrick (1963-1967), Fr. Delbert Schmelzer (1967-1969), Fr. Philip Conlon (1969-1973), Fr. Leo Joyce (1973-1974), Fr. George Fox (1974-1984), Fr. Richard Lesniak (1984-1994), Fr. Gary Wankerl (1994-1998), Fr. Richard Heilman (1998-2004), Fr. Michael Doro (2004-2006) Msgr. John Hebl (2006),  Fr. Michael Richel (2006-2012),  Fr. David Carrano (2012-2014),  Fr. Tim Renz (2014-2016), Fr. Paulraj Sellam (2016-2018),  Fr. Savio Yerasani (2018-present).
 
Over the years, the linkage with Montello has grown stronger.  Today, the two parishes share a common staff.  They collaborate on many sacramental, educational and social activities.  Along with its registered families, the parish hosts many seasonal members and visitors who enjoy the beautiful natural resources of Marquette County.