St. Jerome, Oconomowoc

Our Parish Roots:

SJETL Risen Christ In 1842, traveling priests and missionaries visited the Oconomowoc area when a small number of Catholics settled there. Services were held in private residences until St. Jerome was founded in1860.

In 1870 St. Jerome became a canonical parish. The original church was enlarged and served the community until 1889 when a Gothic edifice was built on the property, and it remained in use until 2008.

The 2007 groundbreaking for the new church on South Silver Lake Street completed the parish’s 10-year goal, “Building Foundations for Our Future,” and the Church was dedicated in 2008. The St. Jerome Parish School opened in 1927 under the guidance of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In 2004, the Catholic Community of St. Jerome dedicated its new school at 1001 S. Silver Lake Road. The school-education center was dedicated on September 11, 2004.

The motto, “Building Foundations for Our Future,” has guided the Catholic community of St. Jerome through the process of purchasing usable land, conducting the capital campaigns and building the school-education center first, then the church.

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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 SUPPORT MUCH NEEDED BUILDING AND GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR CAMPUS AND SCHOOL.

Parish Goal

$2,009,822

Parish Share

$1,205,893

Final Total Pledged

$2,223,909

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NEW RECTORY

A portion of the funds will be used to build a much-needed new Rectory at the church. Having a place in which to house current, future, and visiting priests will be critical to our longevity and hospitality as a parish.

OUTDOOR SPACE UPGRADES

We would like to add a Prayer Garden to our parish campus. The garden will feature a Rosary Walk and Stations of the Cross. Summers here in Wisconsin allow for mission, faith, and ministry to be furthered through our connection with the parish grounds, and these features will further enhance that aspect of parish life.

CEMETERY RENOVATIONS

Some of the funds will be used to upgrade the existing cemetery maintenance building, including an equipment storage unit, updating a small administrative office for staff and visitors, and adding a restroom for burials.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS

Repair of the church roof and replacement of the parking lot are necessary undertakings for the beauty and sustainability of our campus. We will also repair the roof flashings and undergo important detail work that has been delayed for many years now.

CARPET AND FLOORING

Carpet and flooring replacements will include adding ceramic tiling in the back of the Sanctuary, replacing carpeting in Fireside area with vinyl tiling, and upgrading the carpet in the Narthex and Sanctuary. These changes will enhance overall parishioner experience.

SCHOOL ENHANCEMENTS

We will make additions to our school, including the installation of a new sign, basketball court, and a rubber base in the playground.