The Celebration

ST. LAWRENCE TURNS 15O!

“…After an hour’s ride we found it. The impression of St. Nicholas upon us two Swiss was overwhelming; it represented a miniature Switzerland. We saw three hills: to the right the future Mt. Calvary, to the left Mt. Carmel, and in the background Mt. Mary. The landscape, so quiet in its solitude and so holy in its names, basking there in the resplendent glory of the sunlight, filled us with an overpowering awe, and we exclaimed as out of one mouth: ‘Here we will build our first little cloister!’"

And so began our story, according to Bittle’s retelling in A Romance with Lady Poverty. With no money, no permission from the Capuchin Order, without being Capuchins themselves, the founders of our school, Francis Haas and Bonaventure Frey, came to the wilderness of central Wisconsin to spread the Capuchin spirit. But they did much more than that. Over the next 150 years their dedication and work had an impact on and indelibly changed the lives of nearly six thousand young men, turning them into strong religious and lay leaders of their Catholic churches. Many who could never have afforded it without typical Capuchin generosity were provided an outstanding education, spiritual formation and a foundation upon which to build a good, holy life.

“…To attract American boys to the Order, Frs. Francis and Bonaventure decided to become pioneers also in the field of education. They hoped to have a completely equipped college in the course of time, but for the present they were content with a very modest beginning; their enterprising spirit would not wait. Already in the fall of 1860 they accepted four pupils and thereby laid the foundation of what was later to be know as St. Lawrence College.”

The first student body numbered four, and total costs were $10.00 per year, but within two years there were fifteen students, a year later twenty, and a year after that a college wing had to be added to the friary to accommodate the forty-nine students. The Convent Latin School became St. Lawrence College.

Today, as St. Lawrence Seminary High School celebrates its 150th anniversary, it has eleven buildings on 150 acres, a beautiful chapel, vibrant on- and off-campus ministry programs, a state-of-the-art computer lab and fitness center, and boasts a student body from around the United States and the world. There are twenty-six faculty members, ten of whom have advanced degrees, including four with doctorate degrees. Nearly 100% of our graduates go on to college, many for the first time in their family’s history.

“…This place is destined for something great.” As Bishop Henni laid the cornerstone for the original monastery, he knew this school would flourish and fulfill an important part of God’s plan to prepare young men to be lay and religious leaders in the Catholic Church. Join us as we celebrate and look back on our first 150 years in this role and as we look forward to the next 150 years!