MBS Oshkosh Parish History

Most Blessed Sacrament Parish is one of the newest parishes established in the Diocese of Green Bay. On July 14, 2007, the Parish of Most Blessed Sacrament was created under the leadership of Rev. James R. Jugenheimer. The parish was formed by the merger of three parishes on the north side of Oshkosh. Those parishes formerly were St. Josaphat, St. Mary, and St. Peter.

What churches are part of MBS Parish in Oshkosh, WI? 

While the three former parishes were thriving parish communities during the first half of the 20^th Century, by the 1990’s the Green Bay Diocese, like so many other dioceses, was experiencing numerous challenges. Declining membership in many of the parishes, increasing expenses in parishes, as well as a shortage of clergy, led to extensive studies of many of the faith communities of the Diocese. Oshkosh was by no means an exception. A two-year study ensued in the early years of the new century followed by the announcement in January 2007 of the establishment of two new parishes, each formed from a consolidation of three Oshkosh parishes. The new parish on the north side would be the merging of St. Josaphat, St. Mary and St. Peter. Only the St. Mary and St. Peter sites would remain open for weekend and weekday Masses.
 

A transition team was formed composed of members of all three parishes on the north side to begin the arduous task of forming one new parish from the three existing ones. Fr. Jugenheimer arrived officially on March 14, 2007 to join the efforts of this transition team. They had only four months to do it. This team served as an invaluable aid to the pastor-elect of the new parish.

One of the most important tasks at hand was the naming of the new parish. Parishioners from all three parishes were asked to submit names. The respective parish pastoral councils narrowed the list down to three names. Ultimately, Bishop Zubik would choose the final name of the new parish. The three finalists were Most Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi, and Queen of Peace. Word finally came in mid-April of Bishop Zubik’s decision on the name of the parish. It would be known as Most Blessed Sacrament Parish. 

When was Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh founded?
 

On Saturday, July 14, 2007, Most Blessed Sacrament Parish officially became a parish. That same weekend the new Mass schedule took effect. At the Saint Peter worship site, there was a 4 PM vigil Mass along with a 9 AM Mass on Sunday. At the St. Mary Worship Site, there was a 7:30 and a 10:45 AM Mass on Sunday. July 16, Fr. Joel Sember arrived as a part-time assistant to the new parish.  

On Saturday, August 18, 2007, at the 4 PM liturgy, Fr. James Jugenheimer was installed by Bishop Zubik as the first pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh.

On July 1, 2009, Fr. Joel Sember was transferred as an assistant to two parishes in De Pere, Wisconsin. He was not replaced. His youth and enthusiasm left its mark on our new parish.

In the Fall of 2013, after many months of planning meetings with Norbertine, Fr. Jim Nelson who served as our Diocesan Liturgical Renovation consultant, a complete renovation of the St. Mary upper church was begun. The Ganther Corporation oversaw the project. After it was discovered that several additional weight bearing beams would need to be added to reinforce the upper church floor, the renovation was extended to include the lower church. Special effort was taken to guard the historical integrity of St. Mary’s.  The endcaps from the old, deteriorating pews were saved and repurposed into the new pews.  A new altar was fabricated from one of the original altars of the church.  The Eucharistic motif that had been inlaid with linoleum on the floor, was reproduced into the tile flooring using marble mosaic. A new choir area, and baptismal font were created, a ramp leading to the sanctuary was installed, and a Rood Screen was constructed to separate the gathering area from the church proper.  Holy Week services were celebrated in the renovated church.  The new altar arrived at a later date, all of the original candlesticks were regilded and the sanctuary lamp that had hung at the St. Josaphat site was installed near the tabernacle. On the Feast of Corpus Christi in June of 2013 the new altar was unveiled and consecrated for use by Bishop David Ricken.  Set into the front motif of the altar is the image of Mary. Mother of the Eucharist. The lower church, with a newly installed kitchenette, now serves as a parish hall.

In December of 2013, a generous donor offered to purchase a life-size Fontanini Nativity set for our St. Peter site. Used for the first time for Christmas of that year, It will become another of the treasures of Most Blessed Sacrament.

In the years that have passed since our becoming a parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Parish continues to grow in the light of the Holy Spirit. Our parish outreach now includes support of the Day by Day Warming Shelter which was opened in the former St. Peter school cafeteria, the Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids and Christmas Gift Program, the Back to School Back-pack program, the St. Vincent De Paul Society,  the Oshkosh Police Department’s Safety City, and the Bella Medical Clinic’s Walk for Life,  While our history is short, much has been accomplished already through Grace for the greater glory of God, yet there is still  much to do.

Will you help us write the rest of the story?