Sub-Links
Death Resources
Ads by Google

St. James' Catholic Cemetery

The church is located at 7219 S 27th St Franklin, Wisconsin. This is in the former town of Lake in an area called New Coeln. The cemetery is east of the current church, across 27th st.


View Larger Map

History

The following is a history of the church from the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Website.

In 1857, a group of farmers from Oak Creek and Franklin had a vision for a church in their community. Peter Steffen donated three acres of land and the church was dedicated on November 30, 1857 by Bishop John Martin Henni as St. Stephen at New Coeln. St. Stephen's was later moved to Howell Ave by the airport, this church was renamed St. James.) A church building was built. In 1865, a first brick schoolhouse was built located just north of the first church. In 1931, the church building was moved directly to the north of the cemetery and a basement was added.

St. James was given the status of a parish and on June 25, 1946 Archbishop Moses E. Kiley appointed Fr. Francis Drabinowicz as the first resident pastor. Seven acres of land directly across the road from the church were purchased for a new parish site and the farm house was to be renovated for the rectory. On August 1, 1947 the residence was ready for occupancy.

In 1949, the administration building of the World War II prisoner-of-war camp became available. The parish purchased it and began rennovations. It took over a year to reconstruct the building into a six room school, a convent, and a 350 seat church with a full basement, two large halls and several other rooms.

The new school opened in September 1950 with 178 children. In 1951 the old church was sold to Lee Manufacturing Co. 1953 marked the school’s first graduating class of 17 students by 1957 the school had 389 students, five nuns and one lay teacher. In 1957 the old church building burned to the ground.

In 1965 Fr. John Kolanko became the new Pastor of St. James. In March of 1965 a building fund drive was started; ground was broken on May 7th, in July 1966 the first worship service was held in the new building. Archbishop William E. Cousins dedicated the new St. James Catholic Church on November 13, 1966. The school closed in 1969 due to declining enrollment. In 1982 Fr. John Pulice was appointed Pastor of St. James, 1982 was also the 125th Anniversary Celebration. Fr. Johns Pulice’s health prompted him to step aside as pastor in 1989 and Fr. Joseph Aufdermauer served as temporary administrator for just over one year. On June 26, 1990 Fr. Kennth J. Augustine began his service at the parish. In 1995 a new Baptistry for immersion of adults, children and infants was constructed at the entrance to the worship space. In 2004 Pastor Fr. Paul Stanosz was assigned to St. James.

All that remains of that early St. James Mission is St. James Parish Cemetery which is located east of the current church (across 27th st.). It was originally built behind the original church.

Select Burials and Interments

There are currently no transcriptions available for the tombstones.