St. Boniface Church in Manitowoc stands tall since 1880s

St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1967

The steeple of Saint Boniface Catholic Church, at South 10th and Marshall streets in Manitowoc, has been a familiar Manitowoc landmark since 1886, when the current Gothic brick church was built. Saint Boniface Parish was founded in 1853 as a mission of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Manitowoc Rapids. When Father H. J. Nuyts noticed the population trend was veering away from Manitowoc Rapids and towards the village of Manitowoc, he proposed the organization of the parish in the bustling new village.

The original structure, finished some time during the year 1853, was a wood frame building 70 feet long and 40 feet wide. “While the building was in the process of construction – the priest took up his residence in the spacious home of Michael Kuhl, who, together with George Dusold, may be reckoned as the prime mover in the foundation and establishment of St. Boniface Congregation”, wrote Rev. August Dusold in his history of the church written in 1937.

Father Michael Beitter succeeded Father Nuyts in 1856. He remained only a few months, till April 1857. Father Mathias Gernbauer came to St. Boniface in July 1857. He was the first resident pastor and served the parish for nearly two years.

In 1860 St. Boniface Parish became the mother church for all the parishes in Manitowoc, including its former mother church, the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Manitowoc Rapids, which operated until the 1880s.

Father William J. Peil came to St. Boniface as pastor on May 1, 1881. At this time, there were about 100 families there. At the turn of the century, before St. Paul’s and St. Andrew’s were organized, there were about 1,000 families belonging to St. Boniface. It is also under Peil’s forward-thinking and courageous leadership that a group of new buildings were erected: a church, school, convent, and rectory.

The present church building was built in 1886 at a cost of $30,000. This beautiful gothic church with its pointed arches and system of stone vaulting, use of lighting and symbolism, was consecrated on November 25, 1886. Besides the entombment of the relics in the high altar, the 12 crosses and candles on the side walls mark the points of consecration.  The 12 areas of consecration symbolize the 12 apostles who are the foundation stones of the Church.

Looking around the walls of the church are many oil paintings depicting St. Peter, St. James the Greater, St. John, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Thomas, St. Matthew, St. Barthomew, St. James the less, St. Simon, St. Jude, and St. Boniface. One cannot miss the beautiful colors of the stained glass windows, which were refurbished between 1988 and 1989.

St. Boniface Church has not been the site of regular worship services for nearly 15 years since the consolidation of St. Francis of Assisi Parish but its beauty and historic significance remain for our community.