Immaculate Conception, Milwaukee

Our Parish Roots

Immaculate Conception owes its founding to the Milwaukee Iron Company, which erected a blast furnace puddle mill and rail mill in Bay View and attracted many industrial workers. Many of these workers were Irish immigrants who settled on the south shore of Lake Michigan between Jones Island and St. Francis Seminary. In response to these needs, Bishop Henni designated a young Irish professor from St. Francis Seminary, Fr. Thomas Fagan, to establish a parish on land donated by the company on Russell Avenue. It was dedicated by the Very Rev. Martin Kundig in honor of the Immaculate Conception on November 19, 1871.

In the years following, the school and a new church were built to grow with the parish community. By the mid-1950s, the interior of the church was turned around to create more space, placing the main entrance on South Kinnickinnic Avenue. In 1990, the 125th Jubilee Committee launched a campaign to restore the bell tower, refurbish the pipe organ and establish an endowment in anticipation of future needs.

Though the Bay View community has changed through the years, Immaculate Conception continues to witness to the Gospel and serve through participation in community events like the Bay View Bash, Chill on the Hill, and our many ministries to serve those in most need.

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Our Share

Through much prayer, planning and conversation, we have identified our greatest needs and initiatives to strengthen our mission and vision for years to come. Our share of the funds raised will be used to address the parish's capital needs and pay off the parish debt.

Parish Goal

$309,390

Wave 3

January 2023 - June 2023

Final Total Pledged

$329,030

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CAPITAL PROJECTS - $180,000

Our parish has a variety of capital needs that the campaign will help us to address. First, we will replace the AC unit. Every year, we patch the system, which is from 1968, but it is time to replace it. Next, we will improve the handicap accessibility of our side entrance to accommodate our parishioners. Lastly, we will replace the outdated lighting. It is very difficult for staff to change the bulbs when one goes out as it requires either scaffolding in the church, or removal of the pews and a scissors lift. Most church lights are on a pulley system so they can be lowered down for easy access, ours do not. So, we will be looking to either install a pulley system or replacing them with new lights.

PARISH DEBT - $5,634

We will use the remainder of our share to pay off parish debt. We took out a loan many years ago to complete the remodel of the church. This campaign will help us pay a portion of that loan back and put us in a better financial situation.