St. Mary's Catholic Church 606 W. Broadway St. Viroqua
was dedicated in the summer of 1908 on this original site. The lot was
donated by Mayor Chase and John Dawson gave his services free as architect and
superintendent. Chris Peterson was builder and contractor. Funds
were contributed by non-catholic as well as catholic.
St. Mary's remained a mission church attached to the
Rising Sun parish for the next forty years before becoming an independent parish
in 1947. All museum artifacts presently housed in the spacious three-story Normal School
were housed in this church from 1961 - 1989.
Now, thanks to many volunteer hours and donations the
"old Catholic Church" is a church again. It is not known where
the original furnishings of St. Mary's Church went. The present altar is
from South Kickapoo Church near Folsom. The candle sticks and two angel
statues are from St. Charles church of rural Viroqua.
The church is now used for weddings, baptisms and
serves as the monthly meeting place for the Vernon County Historical Society.
Tours can be made by appointment (608) 637-7396