Our History

     Algoma's first Episcopal congregation was organized in 1877 by the first Bishop
of Fond du Lac, the Rt Rev'd John Henry Hobart Brown, The first building, named
"Grace Church," was built in 1878 according to a design by Richard Upjohn (architect of New York City's famous Trinity Church, Wall Street, and founder of the American Institute of Architects). This was the first edifice to be constructed in the diocese following its organization in 1875.
     Grace Church burned to the ground in the spring of 1884. It was not until 1891
that the parishioners, with the encouragement and financial support of the second
Bishop of Fond du Lac, the Rt. Rev'd Charles Grafton, could rebuild their church. The new edifice, reconsecrated as "St. Agnes by-the-Lake," was built on the old foundation and is an exact replica of the original Upjohn design. This new structure was also the first church to be built during Bishop Grafton's episcopate.
     The arrival in 1897 of the Rev'd Dr. W.R Gardner, sometime dean of Nashotah
House Seminary and Cowley Father, marked the beginning of Anglo-Catholic liturgical practice at St. Agnes. It is during his tenure that Solemn Mass, including the use of incense and other sacramentals , became regular Sunday practice. It is also during this time that the present altar and carved wood statuary were installed.
     After Dr. Gardner's death in late 1906, Fr. H.W. Blackman became the next
resident vicar. As a result of Fr. Blackman's 33-year tenure, the churchmanship
introduced by Dr. Gardner continued to flourish, and has been consistently reaffirmed to the present day. It is interesting to note that Bp. Grafton, Dr. Gardner, and Fr. Blackman, prior to their residencies in Wisconsin, were affiliated with Boston's Church of the Advent, the mother church of the Anglo-Catholic movement in America.

Our connection to the community is strong, through supporting and hosting such agencies as Friends of the Library and the Food Pantry. Our Faith and Arts Outreach program brings a civersity of artists to St. Agnes for concerts and exhibits which benefit local not-for-profit organizations.

COMING TO ST. AGNES

The main entrance of St. Agnes. The building has  received landmark status from the Kewaunee County Historical Society. In the background is the Guildhall, where we gather after Mass for coffee or lunch. Both buildings are wheelchair accessible.