History of St. Anthony of Padua Parish (1872 - present)
St. Anthony's was founded in the spring of 1872 by German immigrants on Milwaukee's near-south side. With the leadership of Father Anthony Decker, the first church building was erected in the fall of that same year. The construction of the current church started in 1877. In 1882, the building was first used for worship. Work on the interior continued until 1890 at which point the altars, organ and other fixtures were installed.
The following history of St. Anthony parish is a compilation of two writings from Fr. Anthony Isidore Decker, St. Anthony's first Pastor.
Download PDF file - History of St. Anthony'sHistory of St. Anthony of Padua
In the Basque region of Spain, St. Anthony of Padua is called Santo Casamentero or the Holy Matchmaker. In many European countries, Anthony is the patron of sailors and fishermen. Everywhere his intercession is invoked for the return of lost or stolen possesions.
He is also regarded as a patron of priests and travelers, a protector against the devil and guardian of the mails. He is called the Wonder-Worker and Saint of the World.
The story and tradition of devotion to St. Anthony of Padua began almost with the moment of his death, June 13, 1231.
His Franciscan brothers tried to keep his death secret to avoid violence and a struggle between citizens of Padua claim his body for burial. Despite their efforts to hide his death, children began running through the streets of Padua shouting, "The saint is dead!"
Crowds came to view the body of Anthony and attend his burial. His grave at once became a place of extraordinary devotion and numerous miracles. Legend would later attribute to him miracles worked even during his life.
Less than a month after his death, the bishop, clergy, nobles and podesta, or mayor, of Padua requested his canonization. They gave among their reasons the great veneration and miracles taking place at his tomb. Anthony was not dead a year when Pope Gregory IX declared him a Saint of the Church and construction began on a basilica to honor his memory and remains. A Papal Bull dated two days before the first anniversary of his death granted an indulgence of one year to all who would visit Anthony's tomb on his feast or within its octave.
Since then, popular piety and devotion to St. Anthony has taken many forms. In some cases history offers a reason for a particular practice or form of devotion, in other cases legends explain the devotions. In some instances the origin of the devotion may be lost or unexplained.
St. Anthony’s English Choir
Lee Erickson became the Director of Music at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in the autumn of 1979. From those earliest days to the present, his principle goal remains to create music as prayer for the greater honor and glory of God. The music sung at Saint Anthony’s is drawn from a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from the earliest Gregorian chants through the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, to the best in contemporary liturgical music.
The choir has grown to thirty active members who lead the congregation in song at the 10:00 A.M. High Mass each Sunday from Labor Day until Pentecost, as well as at the Midnight Mass of Christmas, and on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. Choir rehearsals are from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings during that same period of the year.
Mr. Erickson is always delighted to welcome new members. There is no audition required – just a willingness to learn! Anyone who is interested in joining the choir should contact Lee Erickson. He can be reached by phone at the parish office (414) 645-1455, or in person in the choir loft after the 10:00 a.m. High Mass on most Sundays.