1874

Father Nicholas July of Stevens Point offered Mass in Catholic homes of Colby settlers.  

1877

Land was purchased from the railroad and cleared.  A rough lumber church was built for Colby Catholics.  

July 15, 1886

St. Mary parish was formally organized and incorporated to honor the settlers' devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The first resident priest was Father A.J. Joerres.  

December 9, 1888

The first Mass was held on the current site of St. Mary.  

May 1889

Bishop Kilian C. Flash dedicated the new church building to St. Kilian.  

October 25, 1894

A two-story brick school building was dedicated and opened under the care of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

August 7, 1904

The cornerstone was laid for a new church as the congregation had outgrown their current small church building.  

December 1904

The current St. Mary church was completed.  Its Gothic style architecture measures 120 by 50 feet wide. The graceful spire extends 125 feet into the air.  

February 26, 1905

The first Mass was held.  

May 1905 

The church was dedicated by Bishop Schwebach. 

1917

Additional property was purchased to its current size.

1932

The convent was built.  

1937

The current two story school building was built.  

May 1957

Our Kilgen pipe organ was installed.  

1958

Another addition to the school was completed.  Lay teachers were hired to supplement the teaching. 

April 30, 1995

St. Mary Catholic School celebrated its 100th Anniversary. 

November 17, 2002

St. Mary Help of Christians Parish celebrated its 125th Anniversary.

2003

A new copper roof was installed and the steeple was refurbished.

September 8, 2012

The Very Rev. Joseph G. Diermeier dedicated the new altar at Mass in the beautifully restored interior of the church. 

Present Day

Our parish currently supports a 4K-8 school and has a vibrant community of around 300 families.