Formal records as to the establishment of St. Mary’s have not been found either locally, or at the Diocese. For that matter, some questions have recently arisen concerning the formal name of the parish. Although always known as St. Mary’s, some of the correspondence produced during the Volz pastorate suggests that there was intent to name the parish after the "Immaculate Conception."

The 1896 history, "Catholic Church in Wisconsin," states the congregation of St. Mary’s in Neillsville was established in 1878 and that a small church was erected that year on the property purchased by Bishop Heiss. This first church was wood framed with a brick veneer and cost $3,500. By 1881 the congregation numbered 100 families. In 1884, the first rectory was built. The next year Fr. Volz moved his residence from Humbird to Neillsville.

The church he served was multi-lingual. The language of the Church was Latin. The first settlers in Neillsville, prior to the Civil War, had tended to be Yankees, Canadians and other English speakers. The next wave included many German immigrants. A German Language Newspaper, the Deutsch-Amerikaner, was published at Neillsville from 1880 through October 7, 1920. Records and correspondence from St. Mary’s first 35 years are in all three languages.

Fr. Volz continued to spend days on the road, having been given the congregation of St. Joseph’s at Black River Falls as a mission. He served about 30 families there until 1898 when they obtained their own pastor.

Travel was as difficult for the laity as it was for their priest, Hughes remembered. Attending Sunday Mass in the 1890’s was not a mere obligation, but a privilege entailing great sacrifice. Despite the nine-mile distance from Christie to Neillsville, the Hughes family attended church every Sunday. This meant getting up at 4:30 a.m. to perform farm chores and ready the buggy for the ride. In summer it was easier because the horses could be tied up outside the church. In winter, the animals had to be put up at a stable down town so they would not catch pneumonia.

In the 1890’s a single daily Mass was the norm at small parishes. Fr. Volz obtained permission to hold two Masses on Sundays and Holy Days. However, if people wished to go to Holy Communion, they would have to attend the 8:00 a.m. Low Mass. This was a response to the difficulty of maintaining the required 24-hour fast longer into the day. The later Mass was the sung High Mass.

"In winter, we took the horses down to the saloon sheds in town, then we walked nearly a mile back to church. Roads weren’t plowed then. Sometimes we had to break a road. Then after the spring thaw the roads had mud holes in them for months. With woods on both sides they didn’t dry out too fast. But we’d make it through with horse and two-wheeled cart. That way someone always got to church," said Hughes.

Fr. Volz "mixed" well with people and was very popular, recollected Hughes. He had no horse of his own, but he’d get one from a livery barn or from a parishioner for his sick calls and visits. He got some attention for wearing a silk hat in his travels around Clark and Jackson counties.

This is not to say there were no disagreements between Volz and his parishioners. In an archived letter to the bishop from 1890, Fr. Volz complained about his salary. It seems his income was based on a "subscriber" system in which families paid according to their means, up to $25 annually. Several families were behind on their payment.

"When I pressed them about this matter somewhat, they blandly told me they would only pay $10 (Fr. Volz was owed $60-ed.)." He vowed to continue his efforts to collect. "I do not intend to give way to their stubbornness any more."

-8-

-9-

The majority must have felt the priest was worth the money. In 1897, Fr. Volz was transferred to Menomonie, where he served 11 years as a pastor. In 1901 a petition was circulated around the city to bring him back, signed by numerous Catholics and non-Catholics.  No parish was complete in those days without a school. In 1887 St. Mary’s started out strong with a newly erected school. Initial first through eighth grade enrollment was 78 pupils. Two Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA’s), Sister M. Pancratia Liebertz and Sister Salome Schaefer, were in charge of instruction. The sisters taught in two rooms, while living in cramped quarters in the same building.

"We also had boarders, with all the work for us two; but we enjoyed it immensely," Sr. Liebertz wrote in an 1887 report archived by the FSPA. "At the close of school this year, we felt and saw how God had helped us and needless to say, that we thanked him. The people were very kindly disposed towards us, and also kept peace and friendship with the Indians who in spring and fall by hundreds were camping here-in."

When he left, Fr. Volz could reflect upon his work with great satisfaction. The church had been expanded in 1895 to include a sacristy and a sanctuary with a beautiful wooden altar. The congregation grew to 150 families. He had performed 643 baptisms.

Fr. Volz finished his Church service with a 19-year pastorate at St. John’s, Marshfield. Yet, he remained a friend of Neillsville. In its account of his passing, the local paper noted:

"He made friends with all whom he met, his friendly face radiated good cheer and kindliness, and men, women, and children greeted him as a friend. Whenever he passed through Neillsville on the train, he got off to look about and greet any old acquaintances he might find and always spoke of his happy memory of Neillsville."

The priest officiated his last Mass while visiting his first parish, St. Joseph’s in Fairview, on May 25, 1926. He became ill after the Mass and died five days later. Every business in Marshfield closed four hours around his funeral in his honor.