Under a bright summer sky on Sunday, July 19, the bells of St. Ann’s Catholic Church rang out with a profound sense of triumph, gratitude, and history. The landmark Janesville church marked its historic 150th anniversary with a celebration of faith, hope, and love that drew hundreds of parishioners, multi-generational families, and neighboring congregations to fill the historic Gothic pews to capacity.
Serving as the principal celebrant for the landmark liturgy on this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time was a highly distinguished guest: Bishop Robert Barron, the internationally renowned prelate who has shepherd the Diocese of Winona-Rochester since 2022.
The air inside the sanctuary was thick with reverence and nostalgia as voices rose in song, echoing off the lofty, arched ceilings and illuminating the church’s legendary stained-glass windows.
A Message of Growth Amid Struggle
For the milestone liturgy, scripture readings were beautifully proclaimed by members of St. Ann’s vocations. The church’s vibrant future was also on full display, with Janesville youth—including MaKenzie Westphal, Katelyn Olson, and Aiden Gruber—actively assisting with the collection proceedings, demonstrating the robust stewardship that continues to define the parish.
In his homily, Bishop Barron—who previously served as rector at Mundelein Seminary (2012–2015) and auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (2015–2022)—addressed the congregation with a deeply resonant message. Drawing from the day’s Gospel, he used the Parable of the Weeds and the Tares (traditionally referred to as the “wheat and the weeds”) as the guiding thread of his message.
Bishop Barron reflected on how good and evil are perpetually intertwined in the human experience, noting that trying to forcibly rip out one end can often destroy the other. Instead, he explained, learning to live and persevere through both is a natural, necessary part of life’s spiritual journey.
“With great strife comes great growth,” the Bishop noted, emphasizing that struggle often deepens belief rather than diminishing it. He cautioned that attempting to prematurely untangle life’s complex webs can do more harm than good. Just as small seeds grow over time, he reminded the faithful that personal and communal spiritual growth often requires navigating pain and discomfort, and that compassion must remain our compass in spite of these challenges.
Roots Running Generations Deep
The true heartbeat of the anniversary was the sheer volume of history represented in the pews. The celebration brought together the closely knit “Communion of Saints Catholic Community”—an alliance formed through regional pastoral realignments. Families traveled from neighboring sister parishes, including All Saints in Madison Lake and Immaculate Conception in St. Clair, which currently share pastoral care under the leadership of Father Robert Schneider.
In a poignant moment of recognition, the parish acknowledged two long-standing marriages that exemplify the sacrament of matrimony: the Eliases, celebrating 53 years of marriage, and the Hoffmans, celebrating 30 years together.
The deepest connection to the parish’s origin story, however, came during a special presentation. Descendants of Anna Burns—the very first child baptized in the original wooden St. Ann’s church building back in the late 1870s—were present to hand out commemorative bottles of holy water to attendees. It was a tangible, moving reminder of how deeply the roots of faith run in the Janesville dirt.
Unveiling 150 Years of History
The anniversary was the culmination of nine months of extensive historical research spearheaded by parishioner Karen Cruz. Her work, displayed throughout the celebration, highlighted the physical and spiritual journey of a faith community that is 150 years strong.
The parish’s namesake is St. Ann, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As the patron of all Christian mothers, her traditional fast is observed on July 20. Cruz’s research reminded the community of the rare privilege they possess: “To have a church built in the 19th century that is still in use is a rarity and should be considered very special,” she noted.
From Cabin Mass to Gothic Grandeur
The parish’s roots actually predate its formal 1874 organization. In 1856, a colony of sturdy Irish immigrants settled in northwestern Waseca County. That same year, Father George Keller organized the area’s first Catholic group at St. Mary’s, holding the very first services in the private home of John Lynch (with some historical accounts pointing to Andrew Lynch’s home).
For years, the faithful worshipped in local schoolhouses and private homes in the “old town” Janesville settlement and nearby Okaman. By 1866, a church was founded in Iosco, serving the area until the new village of Janesville was established in 1869. Pioneer priests like Father John McDermott, Father Baunan, Father Cullen, and Father Swift traveled to tend to the flock, often offering Mass only twice a month.
The pivotal year came in 1874 under Father Joseph Hermon, when the congregation of St. Ann was officially organized. Initial services were held in Jennison’s Hall before the first wooden church was constructed in Janesville in 1876. On June 4, 1877, the legendary Archbishop John Ireland of St. Paul laid the cornerstone. Completed in 1879 at a cost of $6,000, the church was built on the backs of chartering pioneer families whose names still populate the region today: Cahill, Sullivan, Jewison, Burke, Mulcahey, Lilly, Vaughan, Joyce, Hugo, Murphy, Moonan, Campion, Keeley, Kenny, Gorman, Larkin, Glynn, Hogan, and Bradish.
Following a succession of dedicated resident pastors—including Father P. Diagnault (who became the first resident pastor in 1881), Father O’Neil, and Father Patrick Ryan—the parish grew alongside the newly created Diocese of Winona (established in 1889).
On May 29, 1924, the parish celebrated its crowning architectural achievement: the dedication of its beautiful, new brick Gothic church. The majestic structure—measuring 110 feet by 60 feet—was built of pressed brick veneer with Kasota stone trimmings. Its signature 80-foot central tower, housing the church bell and surmounted by a large golden cross, remains a landmark visible for miles. Inside, the lofty ceilings, handsomely carved altars, and rich oaken pews created an atmosphere of classic dignity.
Continuing the Legacy of Stewardship
True to the spirit of their ancestors, St. Ann’s modern parishioners have spent the last several decades maintaining and expanding their spiritual home:
- 1998: Air conditioning was installed, stained-glass windows were refurbished with protective glass, and a memorial flower garden and marker for the unborn were placed by the Knights of Columbus.
- 2001–2016: A new retaining wall was built, and additional property was acquired to build the church’s modern parking lot.
- 2006: The Chapel of Divine Mercy and a new parish office were added to the east side of the building.
- 2019–2022: The old parish center was demolished, paving the way for a brand-new, $906,500, 6,000-square-foot parish center. This facility now serves as the vibrant hub for social events, fundraisers, and catechetical classes for the parish’s 300 active families.
Fellowship, Nostalgia, and Looking Ahead
Following the beautiful liturgy, the celebration transitioned to the parish center. Attendees were treated to a delicious breakfast of sausage, eggs, fresh fruit, and French toast, generously sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 8184.
As families dined, a nostalgic slideshow presentation flickered on a screen, chronicling the parish’s long line of resident pastors—including a remembrance of five former priests who rest in the nearby parish cemetery. The slideshow highlighted decades of youth groups, structural renovations, and cherished community memories.
For those looking to take a piece of history home, beautifully detailed laser-engraved wooden trinkets featuring images of St. Ann Parish were available for purchase. And while the parish paused to look back on 150 years of blessings, they also looked forward. At one of the central tables, volunteers were already busy preparing for the community’s next big gathering: the highly anticipated Fall Festival, scheduled for September 12th and 13th.
With 150 years of foundation beneath them, the people of St. Ann’s Catholic Church proved on Sunday that their story is far from over—it is simply continuing to grow, one generation of faith at a time.
