The history of St. Therese Parish dates back to October 1937 when Reverend Vincent Schwartz, assistant at St. Joseph Cathedral, LaCrosse, was appointed by Bishop Alexander McGavick to survey the territory south of the city of Wausau, including the villages of Schofield and Rothschild, in view of establishing a new parish. He took up residence at St. Mary's Hospital, Wausau.
November 1, 1937 - Mass said for first time in the village of
Rothschild Old Community Hall.
November 14, 1937 - Formal announcement of the establishment of the new
parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Little Flower) with Reverend Vincent
Schwartz as first pastor.
November 21, 1937 - Mass celebrated for first time in Schofield School
Hall. First Baptism was administered.
December 10, 1937 - Two acres of land in Rothschild Park was purchased
for $300, from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, as the site of the new
church.
December 25, 1937 - First Midnight Mass was celebrated in the Schofield
School Hall.
February 14, 1938 - First parish marriage was solemnized.
February 28, 1938 - Schofield property consisting of a story and a half
cement block house and five lots was purchased for $2,500. The house was used as
the parish rectory.
May 22, 1938 - Bishop McGavick authorized the building of the basement
church.
May 31, 1938 - Construction began on the basement church.
July 3, 1938 - First class of First Communicants received Our Lord in the
Eucharist.
September 4, 1938 - First Mass was celebrated in the basement church.
October 9, 1938 - The basement church was blessed by Rt. Reverend
Monsignor Dorrenback.
October 14, 1940 - First Confirmation class.
January 19, 1941 - Ladies presented the church with a Tabernacle (still
in use).
February 8, 1946 - A Wurlitzer electric organ was purchased for $3,500.
August 9, 1948 - Construction began on the current church.
May 15, 1949- Cornerstone of church was laid.
December 18, 1949 - First Mass celebrated in the new Church.
February 11, 1950 - Stations of the Cross formally installed.
1951 - Reverend Joseph Kundinger became pastor of St.Therese Parish.
October 8, 1952 - Dedication of St.Therese Parish by Bishop John P.Treacy.
November 1952 - Construction began on the current rectory.
April 1, 1953 - Rectory was completed.
April 13, 1953 - Breaking of ground for St.Therese School.
June 1, 1954 - Construction began on convent.
September 1954 - First classes held in St.Therese School.
June 1959 - Reverend Raymond Rucki became pastor of St.Therese Parish.
November 1960 - Reverend Joseph Henseler became pastor of St.Therese
Parish.
March 1968 - Reverend Jerome Gerum became pastor of St.Therese Parish.
June 1969 - Reverend James Ennis became pastor of St.Therese Parish.
August 1971 - Reverend Chester Moczarny became pastor of St.Therese
Parish.
1975 - Interior of Church was remodeled.
July 1978 - Lay Ministers began serving Communion under approval of
Bishop Freking.
August 1980 - Reverend Donald Berg became pastor of St.Therese Parish.
1980 - Remodeling of church basement including a kitchen, dining hall and
Knights of Columbus meeting room.
1987 - Elevator was installed to ease access to the church.
February 1989 - Reverend Robert Streveler became pastor of St.Therese
Parish.
October 1992 - Convent was remodeled into Casa Therese Apartments.
1993 - Carport added to the elevator entrance.
March 20, 1994 - New Pipe Organ played at Masses.
May 7, 1994 - Memorial to the Unborn was dedicated.
August 12, 1994 - Saint Joseph statue, donated by Mrs. Delores Lemke in
memory of her late husband Joseph, was placed at the Shrine of Mary.
2000 - Addition to front of church and stained glass windows began.
June 4, 2002 - Fr. Janusz Kowalski became pastor of St.Therese Parish.
Early Dec. 2002 - First stained glass window (Agony in the Garden)
installed in church.
December 26, 2002 - Church interior remodel started.
March 20, 2004 - New alter added