Saint Charles Borromeo History
German Catholic immigrants, with help from Father Charles Goldsmith, established St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church within the Diocese of La Crosse at 812 Pearl Street in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and built their first Romanesque Revival-style building between 1884 and 1885.
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Parish and School Milestones
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1884–1885 Origin: Local German Catholic settlers founded the parish and constructed the original brick and stone-accented place of worship on Pearl Street.
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1987 School Consolidation: Changing community needs and local population shifts led Chippewa Falls Catholic parishes to merge their educational systems into the Chippewa Area Catholic Schools (later renamed McDonell Area Catholic Schools in 2011).
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St. Charles Borromeo Primary School: The consolidation designated the St. Charles site to host primary grade levels under the unified local Catholic school administration.
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Present Day: The church operates alongside neighboring parishes under the Our Lady of the Falls Catholic Community pastorate.
Ministries, Apostolates and Councils
These Commissions and Committees are made up of volunteers who provide much of their time, devotion and care towards organizing and maintaining the Churches. Participation in these commissions or committees are by appointment, by the Pastor.
Financial Council: A consultative body which aids the pastor in the administration of parish goods and develops ongoing financial plans to respond to the needs of the parish. Members are appointed by the Pastor.
Pastoral Council: The council is charged with assisting the Pastor to meet the spiritual needs of the Parish, by consulting with the Pastor regarding those needs and giving oversight and direction to the parish ministries. Members are elected by the parishioners or appointed by the Pastor. Our aim is to make the life and activity of the parish more closely conformed to the Gospel by assisting the Parish's apostolic work and coordinating various independent lay associations and initiatives.
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Sacred Worship Committee: Develops and defines, in keeping with the Diocesan policies the liturgical music, art & environment and community involvement in enhancing our worship spaces and service to others. Members are appointed by the Pastor.
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Cemetery Committee: Develops and defines, in keeping with Diocesan Cemetery policies, the policies which govern the operation of St. Peter's Cemetery.
Maintenance: The parishes, schools, rectory, outlaying buildings and cemetery grounds are maintained through the service of maintenance people and volunteers.
If you are interested in taking part in any of these parish ministries or apostolates, please contact the parish administration office 715.723.4088. Our community is blessed with many volunteers and volunteer leaders. If you would like to connect, the parish administration office welcomes your call for names and contact information.
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