Saint Nazianz in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. Nazianz

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

1. St. Nazianz Marker

Inscription. In 1854, Fr. Ambrose Oschwald and a group of settlers emigrated from Baden, Germany to found a Catholic religious colony in the spirit of early Christians. This communal settlement was named St. Nazianz, after St. Gregory of Nazianzus from whose life and writings Fr. Oschwald drew inspiration.

Like St. Gregory, Fr. Oschwald was interested in healing physical ills. Before departing for America, Fr. Oschwald studied medicine at the University of Munich. In Wisconsin, many came to St. Nazianz to seek his aid. Miraculous healings were reported.

Fr. Oschwald's spiritual leadership and an effective administration held the community together. When he died in 1873, there was no successor of his equal and the community began to disintegrate. Descendents of the first settlers of St. Nazianz still believe in the motto of Fr. Oschwald, "let all do their best to promote the welfare of their neighbor."

Erected 2000 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 445.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 44° 0.368′ N, 87° 55.431′ W. Marker is in Saint Nazianz, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. It is at the intersection of West Birch Street and South 3rd Avenue on West Birch Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 West Birch Street, Saint Nazianz WI 54232, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Gregory Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington School (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Nazianz Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929)

Photographed by Peggy Ryan, November 9, 2022

2. St. Nazianz Marker

(approx. 4.9 miles away); Site of Gjerpen Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 7.2 miles away); Kiel Veterans Park (approx. 8.4 miles away); Carl Gottlieb Heins House (approx. 8.4 miles away); St. Martin’s Church (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Nazianz.

Other markers no longer nearby. Thorstein Veblen (was approx. 4.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Meeme Poll House (was approx. 7 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 27, 2010.)

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

3. St. Nazianz Marker

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

4. St. Nazianz Marker

Cross and Plaque next to Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

5. Cross and Plaque next to Marker

This property is listed in the
Wisconsin
State Register of
Historic Places
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,319 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 27, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on November 9, 2022, by Peggy Ryan of Kiel, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 27, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.