Old St. Johannes

Old St. Johannes. . , Fifty feet south of this marker stood the old St. Johannes log church. The congregation of St. Johannes existed in this area from about 1841 to 1853. At this 6 acre location a 20' x 30' log church, parsonage, and school were built. A cemetery surrounded the church. Nearby was a beer cellar, brewery, cooper mill, saloon, and general store. This church, which served about 200 families, was the first Catholic Church in the territory from Little Chute to Milwaukee. Caspar Rehrl was the first resident priest., The crude log church was soon outgrown by the early 1850's. Most of the parishioners decided to build a new church to the south at present day Johnsburg. Some dissenters started building a new stone church at this old location, but ran out of money. There was bitter disagreement among the parishioners, with many moving to other states. In 1854 a temporary church was built and used at the new location until the new stone church was dedicated by Bishop Henni in 1857., The church buildings at this location were razed in 1873. The school building was moved close to Johnsburg. Over 100 persons were buried at this location. Some were exhumed and moved to Johnsburg, but most remain here., Additional information about this site is available at the Malone Area Heritage Museum.