Church: Greenwood, Loyal, Willard Catholic (Merger - 2013)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brice, Follmar

----Source: The Abbotsford Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 07/02/2013

Three area Catholic churches merge services

An anticipated blending of three local Catholic parishes in Loyal, Greenwood and Willard will occur later this spring, church officials announced this week. At least one weekly worship service will still be held at each of the churches, with current Loyal priest Rev. Steve Brice eventually taking over ministry duties for all three.

A joint service schedule between the three churches was released this week, and precipitated by the recent announcement from Greenwood priest Rev. Joseph Follmar that he would be retiring effective June 30.

Rev. Brice said when he was transferred to St. Anthony Parish in Loyal last summer from Wausau, part of the intention of the Diocese of La Crosse was to meld the Loyal, Greenwood and Willard congregations under one clergyman. That move was to be timed with the retirement of Rev. Follmar from St. Mary’s Parish in Greenwood. He has also served Holy Family Catholic Parish in Willard and has held services in each parish for several years.