Origins of the Superior Diocese: An early history of Catholicism in northern Wisconsin

Editor's note: This is the third of a four-part series on the origins of the Superior Diocese. The series is an excerpt from the upcoming book, "Our Journey Through Faith: A History of the Diocese of Superior," written by former Catholic Herald editor Sam Lucero. The history book, written to commemorate the centennial of the diocese, will be available in parishes later this year.

New era of missionary activity begins

On July 27, 1836, three years after the Wisconsin territory became part of the Diocese of Detroit, a new era in church missionary activity began. This date marked the arrival of a 38-year-old priest from Slovenia, Fr. Frederic Baraga, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1823. Baraga came to America in 1830, seeking to become a missionary to the Indians. Under Bishop Edward Fenwick's episcopacy in Cincinnati, Baraga served briefly in Ohio before being assigned to his first post among the Ottawas in Michigan.

Born to wealthy parents, Baraga had studied seven languages before entering the priesthood. His understanding of languages was useful in learning the difficult Indian dialects. While serving the Ottawas he wrote a prayer book, hymnbook and catechism in their language. Altogether, Baraga wrote seven books in Ottawa or Ojibway, including the "Dictionary of the Ojibway Language," which is still widely used.

On June 8, 1835, Baraga left Detroit by steamboat and arrived in Mackinaw two days later. He traveled by land to Sault Ste. Marie and boarded a schooner that sailed 18 days before arriving at La Pointe.

"He immediately set to work to build a log church, in which he was aided by a number of French voyagers and laborers ... who were Catholics, and in six days he had it so far completed as to be able to say Mass in it, which he did on the ninth of August," stated (historian and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sam S.) Fifield (in an article published Feb. 26, 1902, in the Ashland Daily Press).

In a letter to benefactors in Austria, written Sept. 28, Baraga boasted of the new mission's success. "Thanks be to God, a thousand thanks. Already a great number of pagans have been received into the fold of the holy church, namely 148." Baraga arrived at La Pointe with a mere $3 in his pocket and had to live off the generosity of others. In the fall of 1836 he left Wisconsin on a journey to Europe, where he would beg for donations. He returned to La Pointe on Oct. 8, 1837.

"With the money secured on his European tour, Baraga completed his church, and on Sept. 2, 1838, this church was dedicated to God under the patronage of St. Joseph," wrote Agnes Benoe in an article in the Superior Evening Telegram on Aug. 28, 1935, marking the 100th anniversary of Baraga's landing on Madeline Island. "This was the old church -- the first church ever built on La Pointe."

Baraga, who became known as the snowshoe priest for his adventurous winter outings to care for the spiritual well being of his flock, found great success evangelizing the native people. "Well aware of the Indians' love for song, Baraga learned many of the Indian songs, composed some of his own, and translated many European songs into Indian languages," stated Sr. Angelyn Dries, OSF, in her book, "The Missionary Movement in American Catholic History," published by Orbis Books in 1998. "When the Indians gathered for any occasion, such as the illness of a family member, Baraga began singing an appropriate hymn, and the Indians all joined in, continuing throughout the night to provide comfort to the sick person."

Within three years of erecting St. Joseph Church, Baraga had to build a new church for his growing flock. "This church was completed in July of that year and on the first Sunday of August 1841, was blessed by this venerable missionary," wrote Benoe.

Bishop Henni visits La Pointe, Fr. Baraga

On Oct. 4, 1843, Baraga left his mission at La Pointe to start a new one at Keweenaw Bay. He returned on several occasions, including August 1844, when Bishop John Martin Henni of Milwaukee was touring his new diocese.

Henni's visit to La Pointe was recorded in "The Salesianum," a publication of St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. Titled "Letters of Bishop Henni, 1844," Henni wrote:

"On the 14th of August we could at last see the Apostle Islands lying ahead in a southwestern direction between the far off heights of the Porpokme (Porcupine) Mountains to the left; to the right, were the highlands of Canada, at the foot of which lies Grand Portage. More swiftly now we sailed among truly enchanting islands which are always green, to Madalaine (sic) Island, the southernmost of a group of 20 or more small islands on whose southern bay the village of Laponit (sic) is situated.

"St. Joseph's Chapel was the first to attract our attention by its commanding position and white color. É Halfway to the chapel, to my inexpressible joy, the apostle of Lake Superior, the Reverend Baraga, greeted me most heartily. Escorted by him I entered the chapel, which was soon crowded by full- and half-breed Indians waiting for the Episcopal blessing. This I imparted to them from the altar, and until late at night others, and again others came to the presbytery to make sure to receive the blessing from the Great Black-Robe, their name for a bishop."

Henni's visit coincided with the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. It offered him an opportunity to instruct the natives about this important religious feast day.

"Very early in the morning these good children of the church hurried to the chapel, which is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide. After the second services at 10 o'clock I gave an instruction upon the significance of the feast, adding exhortations adapted to the assemblage. My instruction and exhortations the Rev. Baraga repeated point by point in the soft Chippewa language in such a fluent manner that I began to doubt whether the admirable missionary could express himself as well in his mother tongue. And he did admit that Indian is now easier to him than German."

On the third day of his visit to La Pointe, Henni celebrated the sacrament of confirmation. "There were in all 122 candidates for holy confirmation, that is, all who had been properly instructed and received first holy Communion." The bishop departed for Milwaukee that evening with pleasant memories of his visit to northern Wisconsin.

Baraga went on to become the first bishop of Sault St. Marie (The see city would later be transferred to Marquette, Mich.), and arguably the most beloved missionary priest in northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Wrote Harry H. Heming in his 1,148-page history book, "The Catholic Church in Wisconsin," published by Catholic Historical Publishing Company in 1896:

"... (Baraga) had labored among the Indians for 22 years; five among the Ottawas at Arbre Croche, and the rest of the time on Lake Superior, beginning at La Pointe in August 1835. There, amid difficulty, opposition, and privation, he built a church, a dwelling for himself and a number of houses for his Indian converts, of whom he gained in eight years 700 souls, Indians and half breeds."

By the time Baraga departed La Pointe in 1843, Wisconsin had been granted territory status by President Andrew Jackson. Five years later it became the 30th state in the union. By 1850 Wisconsin's population was 305,000, with half of the new immigrants from New York and New England and the rest from Europe, mainly England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia.

Next: Pope Pius IX establishes Diocese of La Crosse.

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