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Reverend F.X. Hess Arrives
In September 1891, Rev. Francis Xavier Hess
was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, the congregation then numbering
about a hundred families. Rev. Hess was to remain pastor of St. Joseph
Parish for sixty years until his death on February 22, 1951.
St. Joseph School Built
In 1904, the Rev. Hess oversaw the building
of a four room school at the cost of $8,000. The Sisters of Notre Dame
staffed the school and remained for several decades.
A Force Within the Community
Rev. Hess was one of the most beloved priests
in this section of the state. He was very active in civic affairs of
the community, and gave much of his time in the development of Firemen's
Park, and of the acquisition of the municipal electric light and waterworks
systems.
At one time during his tenure as pastor of
St. Joseph Parish, he received orders to take up his duties in Madison.
The parishioners and Waterloo citizens felt so badly at the prospect
of his departure, they circulated a petition and presented it to the
Bishop of Milwaukee who had jurisdiction over St. Joseph Parish. After
short deliberation, the Rev. Hess was allowed to stay in Waterloo.
Marshall and Lake Mills Parishes Founded
In addition to serving his congregation here
in Waterloo, Rev. Hess organized St. Mary's Congregation in Marshall,
and St. Francis Congregation in Lake Mills. He served both these parishes
until priests were appointed.
Jubilee Mass Celebrated
In 1939, St. Joseph Parish celebrated the 50th
anniversary of Fr. Hess' ordination into the priesthood with a Jubilee
Mass and program at Firemen's Park. The Rev. Samuel A. Stritch, archbishop
of Milwaukee, was among the guests and delivered the Jubilee sermon.
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