|
|
|
History |
|
|
Three religious women,
Sister Alexia Hoell, Alfons Schmid, and Clara Seiter, emigrated to
America in September of 1873 from Schwarzach, Germany. On
April 28, 1874, after many trials, hardships and disappointments and
with the help of newfound friends, the Sisters settled in
Campbellsport, Wisconsin, then known as New Cassel.
A temporary
home on Main Street served as both school
and convent. |
|
The Sisters saw their
mission as educating the children of the German immigrants- people
who were poor and struggling in a new land. Sister Alexia
immediately contracted for a four story convent/boarding school to
be built to accommodate the growing numbers of students and
Sisters. In 1880, the parish began plans for building a school
building while Sister Alexia began an expansion of the already too
small convent. In 1887, Milwaukee became the site for the
Motherhouse of the School Sisters of
St. Francis. |
|
By
1931, the convent at Campbellsport again proved to be too small for
the number of Sisters. In 1932-33, a new eight story building was
built east of the "old building" which from then on was referred to
as "the Annex". |
|
In
1962-63, a wing area was added to the new convent and shortly after,
the Annex was razed. A chaplain's residence, known as "the Ranch
House" was built on the original foundation of the Annex. The new
building primarily housed sick and infirm Sisters, and the convent
served as a retirement home for the Sisters. |
|
Today,
the Sister residents number one-hundred seventy one. All volunteer
their services in some capacity. For some, a prayerful presence is
their fulltime ministry. Lay employees staff the various
departments serving the needs of the aged Sisters. |
|
Spring 2005
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
Motherhouse in
the United States was established in Campbellsport in 1874. |
|
|
|
|
Mother Alfons Schmid |
|
|
|
|
Mother
Alexia |
|
| |
|
|
|
