The presence of Catholic settlers in the community extends back to 1855, when the first recorded settlers of Irish and German immigrants, and of
our faith, came to Prescott. The first documented Holy Mass for the Prescott/Big River area was on All Saints Day, 1861, at the Peter Fasbender
home in Big River. It was attended by about 25 families and single men.
By 1867 there was a larger community of Catholics in Prescott who wanted a church building of their own, separate from Big River-St. Mary’s
(which was then a mission of the Hudson church). In 1868, a 24 x 60 foot wooden church was built in Prescott, on the same site as the present
St. Joseph Church. This new church became a mission church of St. Mary’s, then later of St. Bridget’s-River Falls. During the mission period
services were held every other Sunday, and there were 54 families in the parish. The total yearly collection was about $500.
On October 31, 1905, St. Joseph Catholic Church was incorporated as a parish. Fr. Joseph Baur was the first resident pastor. The home south of
the church was purchased for use as a rectory.
In 1912 a larger church was necessary, and work began on the present St. Joseph Church. In 1915 the front entrance was added, bringing the
total church costs to approximately $24,000. At that time the congregation consisted of 69 families.
In 1950, the present rectory was built. A school building project was started in 1959, with a dedication of the new building on October 15, 1961,
with 109 students enrolled. A convent was built in 1981. In 1988 a multi-purpose addition, including a gymnasium, was built on the south end of
the school.
In 1999, the exterior of the church was tuckpointed and the roof was reshingled. The domes were covered with aluminum shingles, and custom-
made stainless steel crosses were installed on the domes (replacing the galvanized shingles and crosses which were rusting and
deteriorating). In 2002, the area behind the altar was redesigned to provide a place for our music ministry groups. The sanctuary screen was
removed and custom cabinetry was installed in its place.
On October 30, 2005, St. Joseph Parish began a weeklong celebration of an important milestone: a NEW MISSION for our community! In
recognition of our 100 year anniversary of incorporation as a parish, we gathered together in prayer, reflection and fellowship to begin the journey
of the next 100 years. Helping lead us on this journey was Bishop Jerome Listecki, who celebrated the Solemn Mass of All Saints with us.
Our Mission Celebration was a time to celebrate our identity as Catholics and as parishioners of St. Joseph’s. It was a time of prayer. It was a
time to pause and reflect upon our relationship with God and with one another as the Body of Christ. And it was a time of music! Nationally known
musician and speaker Jeanne Cotter joined us to perform an amazing concert and reflect on our new mission statement (found on our main
page). Our mission statement is a statement of faith. It is a statement of purpose. It is a statement about who we are as members of our parish
community.
our faith, came to Prescott. The first documented Holy Mass for the Prescott/Big River area was on All Saints Day, 1861, at the Peter Fasbender
home in Big River. It was attended by about 25 families and single men.
By 1867 there was a larger community of Catholics in Prescott who wanted a church building of their own, separate from Big River-St. Mary’s
(which was then a mission of the Hudson church). In 1868, a 24 x 60 foot wooden church was built in Prescott, on the same site as the present
St. Joseph Church. This new church became a mission church of St. Mary’s, then later of St. Bridget’s-River Falls. During the mission period
services were held every other Sunday, and there were 54 families in the parish. The total yearly collection was about $500.
On October 31, 1905, St. Joseph Catholic Church was incorporated as a parish. Fr. Joseph Baur was the first resident pastor. The home south of
the church was purchased for use as a rectory.
In 1912 a larger church was necessary, and work began on the present St. Joseph Church. In 1915 the front entrance was added, bringing the
total church costs to approximately $24,000. At that time the congregation consisted of 69 families.
In 1950, the present rectory was built. A school building project was started in 1959, with a dedication of the new building on October 15, 1961,
with 109 students enrolled. A convent was built in 1981. In 1988 a multi-purpose addition, including a gymnasium, was built on the south end of
the school.
In 1999, the exterior of the church was tuckpointed and the roof was reshingled. The domes were covered with aluminum shingles, and custom-
made stainless steel crosses were installed on the domes (replacing the galvanized shingles and crosses which were rusting and
deteriorating). In 2002, the area behind the altar was redesigned to provide a place for our music ministry groups. The sanctuary screen was
removed and custom cabinetry was installed in its place.
On October 30, 2005, St. Joseph Parish began a weeklong celebration of an important milestone: a NEW MISSION for our community! In
recognition of our 100 year anniversary of incorporation as a parish, we gathered together in prayer, reflection and fellowship to begin the journey
of the next 100 years. Helping lead us on this journey was Bishop Jerome Listecki, who celebrated the Solemn Mass of All Saints with us.
Our Mission Celebration was a time to celebrate our identity as Catholics and as parishioners of St. Joseph’s. It was a time of prayer. It was a
time to pause and reflect upon our relationship with God and with one another as the Body of Christ. And it was a time of music! Nationally known
musician and speaker Jeanne Cotter joined us to perform an amazing concert and reflect on our new mission statement (found on our main
page). Our mission statement is a statement of faith. It is a statement of purpose. It is a statement about who we are as members of our parish
community.
Parish History
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