Crawford County WI Archives Church Records.....St. Gabriel's Parish
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com October 27, 2007, 9:03 pm

WISCONSIN TERRITORY—DIOCESE OF DETROIT
St. Gabriel's Church—Prairie du Chien

   On the occasion of his former visits to Prairie du Chien, Father Mazzuchelli
had, by his engaging manners, like another St. Paul, made himself "all things to
all, men." Accordingly, on his return as pastor, he was received with open arms
by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. All, it seemed, irrespective of condition,
class, or creed, were one with him in his work for the good of the settlement,
and especially in his project of building a church.

   A striking proof of his general popularity, and at the same time of the
open-mindedness of the non-Catholic element of the settlement, is seen in the
fact—which may come as a surprise to some—that the ground upon which St.
Gabriel's parish buildings now stand was the gift of a Protestant gentleman, a
Mr. Strange Powers (Poze). Several offers, it is true, were made by members of
the Catholic congregation—such was the generosity of the none-too-rich French,
German, and Irish settlers; but Father Mazzuchelli, wise builder that he was,
chose the four-acre plot of ground, donated by Mr. Powers, as the one best
suited for his purpose. The deed to the property was duly drawn up and delivered
to the Catholic Bishop of Detroit, the Rt. Rev. Frederic Rese, February 16, 1836.

   Satisfied now that the entering wedge had been driven home, the zealous
missionary-pastor evidently left Prairie du Chien, for soon afterwards we find
him at Dubuque (May, 1836), preparing to make over the deed of a church there to
the bishop of St. Louis, and worrying about the payment on a church lot at
Galena. We have a record in which Father Mazzuchelli recounts a perilous journey
by sleigh from Galena to Green Bay, undertaken in February, 1837. In spite of
cold, wild beasts, and the uncharted trail, he arrived safely at his
destination. When we realize that he made the journey principally to satisfy his
creditors at Green Bay, we may well admire the Christian fortitude of the man.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Centennial History of St. Gabriel's Parish
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN WISCONSIN
1836       1936
DR. P. L. SCANLAN, M. D.


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