Presented here are several interpretations of how St. Wenceslaus and St. Joseph's came into existance. St. Wenceslaus Congregation & Greenstreet St. Joseph's Congregation & Kellnersville St. Wenceslaus to be Sold (pictures and article) Cooks at Kubsh's 1942 (picture) Donated by Lori L., a family researcher see contributors pageThis is taken from a handwritten history of St. Joseph's Parish in Kellnersville. The Original 10 page history is kept in the Archives at the Green Bay Catholic Diocese Offices. It is not dated nor is there any idea of who wrote it. I copied this word for word...I did correct quite a few spelling errors! Lori. St. Wenceslaus Congregation & Greenstreet This bit of history also came from the Catholic Diocese Archives in Green Bay...the author is unknown. In 1852, about fifteen Bohemian families settled in and about present day Kellnersville. The enthusiastic accounts of new opportunities sent back to friends and relatives in the old country prompted an immigration of from six to eight hundred Bohemian families to the new land during the years 1852-1862. The land these settlers took up was land newly logged, but with hemlock, smaller pine, cedar and deciduous trees covering the ground not occupied by pine tree-tops and slashings. Much of the land was acquired by purchase of tax title, the original owners, who received a patent from the Federal Government for but a few cents per acre logged of the finest pine and let the land revert to the government by their failure to pay taxes. The new settlers were pitiably poor, the only tool possessed by all being an iron, steel-bitted, axe. The man having a saw was accounted rich. Adding to the hardships of the auling new settlers were the hard times of 1856-1860 when hard cash became so scarce that a settler hauling hand-made shakes or staves to Manitowoc could only pay the toll over the plank-road from Four Corners to Manitowoc only with a bar of soap in lieu of the five cent fee. However, hardly had the pioneers thrown up a shelter for themselves and their beasts, when their thoughts were occupied with the establishment of the desirable institutions of the Old Country--a church and a school. The first church to be built in this "Bohemian Settlement" (not including Francis Creek) was St. Wenceslaus of Greenstreet in about the year 1856. Nothing pretentious was this House of God and the priest house was but a shelter from the elements. Merely building of squared logs were these structures with nothing but the roughest furniture. But the people were poor and while experience made good broad-ax men of every settler, finished lumber was scarce and expensive. It is safe to say that the only tools used in the erection of those buildings were the axe, the saw, the drawshave and hammer. Father Maly of French Creek made regular visits to Greenstreet (later also to St. Augustine's, Reefs Mills) to care for the spiritual wants of the people. After him, Father August Lang became their pastor. The first schools were private schools conducted by a man learned in the art of reading and writing. These men conducted a school for such who could pay the tuition, during the winter months. It was in these schools that most of the old timers learned their letters. _________________________________ St. Joseph's Catholic Church & Kellnersville The permission to organize St. Joseph's Congregation Kellnersville was granted by Rev. Bishop Melcher on 10th of September 1868, because of the troubles in St. Wenceslas Congregation Greenstreet. St. Wenceslas Parish started in 1854 when Simon Zaruba and Frank Simbersky donated each 1/2 acre of land for this purpose. The first settlers cleared the land from trees and stumps. They built the walls of the church up to the roof and stopped because no one dared to tackle to build the roof. The walls of the church were standing without a roof for six years, until John Teicher moved in this neighborhood in 1860. Under his direction the church was completed. Father Joseph Maly who used to say Mass and administer the sacraments occasionally on week days mostly in near by school houses blessed the church in honor of St. Wenceslaus-Pastor of Bohemia-(The picture of St. Wenceslas for the main altar was drawn on heavy paper by theological student Joseph Koudelka, who died as Bishop of Superior.) In 1862 the parishioners built the priests house and Father Maly became the first resident pastor. The parish grew fast and on the the 1st of July, 1867 the records show 170 paying members. In 1868 the records show 188 paying members. In 1868 the receipts of this parish were 298 dollars 30 cents - expenses were 207 dollars 10 cents- balance on hand 91 dollars 20 cents. It was in this year 1868 when Green Bay diocese was organized and Rs Rev. Bishop Melcher demanded the deed for the church property. Members of the parish refused to give it up. Father Lang who was pastor there at that time was removed. Michael Kellner who started a small store 2 miles south of Greenstreet and who was supposed to talk very strongly against giving the deed, went to Green Bay and promised to give a deed for 2 acres of land for a church and cemetery on his property, and on the 10th day of September 1868 obtained permission to organize the parish of St. Joseph's in Kellnersville. The same year 1/2 acre of Kellner land was cleared for that purpose and 2 or 3 were buried there. Meanwhile Mr Kellner changed his mind and decided to build on this cleared land a store, saloon, and dancehall. He persuaded his neighbor (with 2 cases of beer) to build the church across the road on Wacek's property promising to pay for it himself. In 1869 this land was cleared and lumber for the church was prepared. The church was finished in 1870, and blessed by the Rs Rev. Bishop Melcher on the 29th day of August 1870. The priests house was completed soon after. On the 25th day of December 1870 the Rev. George Brunner had his first mass here and was appointed as first resident pastor with Greenstreet as Mission. In September of the same year he was transferred to Kewaunee and Rev. Gedeon Mazanek was appointed pastor of Kellnersville. Right after Rev Mazanek was appointed he demanded from Mr Kellner, who was the parish treasurer, to give accounts. Because of the scarcity of money; Mr Kellner was taking anything he could get. Those who had cedars on their land were bringing them to his mill, others were bringing logs, bark, wood, grain for his mill, hay for his horses, and eggs for his stove. Others who had wagons and any kind of team had to make trips for him to Manitowoc or Two Rivers. Those who had no teams worked for him in his mills, on his farms, or in his businesses. Mr Kellner was simply building his business and parish at the same time and never gave accounts to anybody. Father Mazanek stayed in Kellnersville till spring when the house was flooded, because of poor location (right near to a creek) he asked for permission to move to Greenstreet where the house was on higher ground. This permission was not granted. He moved there anyhow and was immediately suspended and St. Wenceslas parish was placed under interdict. He died the following year with pneumonia and was reconciled on his deathbed, but Greenstreet remained under interdict till 1875. After Father Mazanek left, the Priest house in Kellnersville was raised 2 1/2 ft, also the ground was raised, but the cellar in the home flooded every spring. During his short stay Father Mazanek enforced some kind of bookeeping, and in 1872 we find that 106 members belonged to St. Joseph's parish (From this 106 names, there are only 20 on todays list). Revenues of the parish consisted in pastoral and pew rent. 1st seat from the aisle 63 cents, 2nd seat 62 cents, 3rd seat 50 cents, 4th seat 38 cents, and 5th seat 37 cents. Total income was $761.65, expenses were $671.39. In 1873 Pastoral expenses were 2 dollars, pew rent the same. Total income was $343.85 - Expenses $363.50. In 1874 total income was $672.34 - Expenses were $642.40. In the year 1875 total income was $506.00 - Expenses were $530.56. In 1878 membership was 157. During the first 10 years Michael Kellner was secretary and treasurer. Not one of these reports were signed by the pastor. In 1883 the school was established by Rev. Joseph Maly. He visited each member of the parish and so collected $653.00; on a picnic they made $142.00 and the parish donated $150.00. The cost of the school was $937.57; but the first teacher did not come until 1887 from Silver Lake. The following sisters taught in school so far: Sisters--M.Humiliana, M. Basilia, M. Bernadine, M. Ethelrede, M. Christina, M. Xaveria, M. Nepomucene, M. Alacoque, M. Anna, M. Thurebia, M. Ambrose, M. Hermana, M. Evarista, M. Aquilina, M. St. Claire, M. Camille, M. Rosilla, M. Ernestine, M. Sophia, M. Clare, M. Dionysia, M. De Chantal, M. Hedwig, M. Catherine, M.Antonella, M. Cajetan, M. Adelbert, M. Fernanda, M. Clarissa, M. Paschal, M. Josepha, M.Leaona, M. Lamberta, M. Antonia, M. Damian, M. Giles, M. Servatia, M. Louise, M. Herman Joseph, M. Michael, M. Rosina, M. Amanda, M. Irenaeus, M. Marcine, M. Beautrix, M. Mark, M. Barbara, M. Alfreda, M. Leon, M. Rita, M. Therese. Pastors of St. Joseph's Kellnersville: 1) Rev George Brunner born 7-3-1847, died 4-4-1901 buried in parish cemetery. 2)Gedeon Mazanek stayed for 9 months - left for Greenstreet. 3)Joseph Maly born 29-9-1829 in Bohemia. Ordained 1853 - came to America in 1854; was twice in Kellnersville Aug. 1872-Jan 1880 and March 1882-Jan 1885 4)W.J. Revis served Dec 1880-June 1881 5)Ignace Lager served Feb 1885-Feb 1888 6)Frank Privoznik served Oct 1888-July 1889 7)Wenceslau Koerner born in Trebon Bohemia 1859 Died 17-11-1919 in Mineral Wells Texas. Served July 1889-April 1893 8)Fr. Jiranek served Aug 1893-Feb 1894 9)Rev Adelbert Cipin born in Chlam near Badejovice Bohemia. Ordained 13-7-1873. Died 11-1-1918 buried in Casco Wisconsin. Served 3 times Aug 1894-Sept 1896, June 1902-Aug 1903, and Sept 1905-May 1914. 10)Rev. Rud. Lakomy served Oct. 1896-Nov.1897 11)Rev. F.J. Just served Jan 1898-Feb 1902 12)Rev. Fr. Kolar born 25-4-1865 in Bohemia; ordained 3-3-1894. Served July 1903-Aug 1905. 13)William Braun born 24-8-1884 in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Ordained 6-5-1908. Died 4-10-1918, buried in Kellnersville Wisconsin. Served 15-5-1914-Oct 1918. 14)R.J. Reindl born 2-9-1888. Ordained 14-4-1916. Died 6-2-1920 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Served Feb 1919-Feb 1920. 15)John S. Rous born 3-3-1886 in Drahonin, Moravia. Ordained 9-10-1910 in Kaukauna. Served 18-2-1920--? The year of writing of the following is unknown, but probably sometime between 1920 and 1930. It was also taken from the church records. The present church of St. Joseph's was built in 1914-1915. After a 9 years struggle as to where to build it was finally decided to build on the old property. Mr Fuller from Green Bay was engaged to draw the plans; and his plans were approved. The church and the parsonage were built together at the cost of about 43,000 dollars, this sum does not include the labor of the parishioners which figuring 2 dollars a day per man, and 4 dollars a day for a man with a team amounted over 10,000 dollars. Accurate figures are impossible to get, because many of Father Brauns papers after his death were burned or otherwise destroyed. The windows for the church were donated by the following: Young Ladies Society $250.00 John and Anna Radey $125.00 John Ramiker $175.00 Frank Wanish $175.00 Mat. Decker $175.00 Holy Rosary Society $175.00 Brunner Family $175.00 Anna Brey $175.00 Rev. W.R. Braun $125.00 Mrs. Jos. Konop $175.00 Mrs Anna Ramiker $175.00 1914 School Children $175.00 M. Krt and Jos. Cherney $175.00 C K of Wisconsin Branch 114 $175.00 M.J. Kellner Family $175.00 Others who donated for various items were: Frank Wanish, Mat Decker, P.J. Denor, Mat Simek Family, Mary Kanak, Krt-Kurtz, Albert Kopidlansky, Jos. Kruml, Mrs. Mary Kruml, Mary Haas, Brunner Family, Jos. Konop, Jos. Mleziva--- Each contributing 50.00 Dollars. The Holy Rosary Society donated carpets $150.00, Vestments; black, white, and red $350.00. Mr and Mrs Jos. Kurtz green Vestments $85.00. Matt Decker red Vestments $145.00. Mrs. Elmer and two Sisters white Vestments $225.00. Ed Decker donated a chalice or $50.00. The organ was donated for $850.00 and the Confessional for $275.00. The Parish was incorporated 2-1-1921. The organist was Clara Muench. The Choir: Charles Muench, Olive Drasner, Anna Kellner, and Anna Augustine. The Cemetery opened in 1869. The first person buried was Anna Hynek (a farmers wife) born in Bohemia. She was about 40 years old, and was here only about 6 months when she died. After her death her husband moved from the area. _________________________________ From "A History of Manitowoc County" by Ralph G. Plumb, Brandt Printing and Binding Co., Manitowoc, Wis., copyright 1904. The next church to be established in the county was St. Joseph’s at Kellnersville. In 1852 fifteen Bohemian families settled at that village, -originally all Catholics. For six years they were attended by Rev. Joseph MALY of Francis Creek and a log church was built in the town of Cooperstown, dedicated to St. Wenceslaus, there being 150 families in the parish. After various vicissitudes a dispute arose over the property and the church, led by Rev. Gideon MANAZEK, became schismatic, the pastor being suspended from the priesthood. Reverend MANAZEK died in 1873 and was followed for four years by Reverend Sadimir KLACEL, who continued the church in defiance of the diocesan authorities. Reverend A. CIPIN of Carlton at last brought about a reconciliation and a new church was then built, one mile south of St. Wenceslaus and dedicated to St. Joseph. Among the later priests have been Revs. Ignatz LAGER, J. MALY, F. PRIVOZNEK, W. KOERNER, J. JIRANEK, A. CIPIN, R. LAKOMEY and F. JUST. A division occurred during Rev. Koerner’s ministry, several families withdrawing. Reverend JUST is a Bohemian by birth and came to America at an early age. He also has a mission at Greenstreet under his charge. ____________________________ St. Wenceslaus To Be Sold The following article is reprinted from the Herald Times, an early 1946 edition, with permission from the Herald Times Reporter. Greenstreet Catholic Church Soon to be Nostalgic Memory Log-Structure Built in 1859 To Be Sold A spot dear to the childhood of many a man and woman in the area two miles north of Kellnersville will soon be nothing but a nostalgic memory when the little, once-brown church of Greenstreet is sold to the highest bidder. Constructed in 1859 of logs cut from adjacent land by nearby settlers who gave immediate thought to a place of worship, the 47 foot by 25 foot building has stood unused for the past 17 years since the erection of the large St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kellnersville. Greenstreet residents now must travel those two miles for their masses and confessions and a few of the oIdtimers sadly recall the days when it was necessary only to walk across the street in the center of the tiny community for their religious services. By-passed in a world that moves swiftly to ever bigger things, the Greenstreet church will finally succumb completely to the trend toward consolidation, its end hurried a little by the shortage of building materials and present high prices for all structures. Signs of Use Visible Sealed bids on the worshipping place of three generations will be accepted by the board of directors of St. Joseph's until March 1, when the board will make a choice of purchaser and the old building prohably will be torn down and the logs and lumber hauled away. It is estimated that the original logs alone could be sawed into enough good lumber to build a fair-sized structure. Added to these large timbers will be the white siding with which the whole church was covered when parishioners, thought bare logs were not fit attire for a house of God. Although deserted since 1929, the building shows signs of many years' wear. A half-dozen paintings of Christ depicting the way of the cross still hang where they have hung since the last stations were said. One of two tiny confessional booths in the rear of the single room contains an old-fashioned, long-handled offering basket and a-large, black cross. Only one pew remains in the church but three rows of kneelers, about four inches off the floor, are still intact. Bell Sent to Mission The pulpit, a small turrent-like structure,. is built into the wall at the left front of the church and the altar, propped up by homemade supports, still stands in the front of the building. There was no evidence of an organ stand although music may have been provided from a tiny choir loft extending across the rear of the church. On the inside of the front door, the only entrance, is a lock and latch that would make an interesting addition to any antique collection or museum. The bell that tolled rural residents to worship was taken down several years ago by church members and presented to a mission in the west. Greenstreet, church and village, were named after one of the first settlers, according to a resident who recalled much of the almost-forgotten history. It was a man named Zeleney, the neighborhood's first tavern-keeper, whose memory was preserved for posterity. Zeleney was a Bohemian, Zeleney means green, hence Zeleney's street or Greenstreet. The article and pictures below were sent in by a researcher, see contributors page.
The original St. Wenceslaus Catholic church Greenstreet near Kellnersville built in 1859
____________________________ Cooks at Kubsh's This picture was taken in 1942. The women were all cooks at Kubschs in Kellnersville. Also was sent in by Lori L. see contributor information.
from left to right are: Viola Shimon, Annie Sleger, Eleanor Kubsch, Mary Kubsch who owned the inn with her husband Matt; Marcella Stradal, Anna Fogletanz, Julia Blahnik, and Erma Zigmunt.
If anyone can identify any of these people, let me know.
