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.