parish

A Brief History of St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Parish

Though the history of this Catholic faith community - under the patronage of St. Richard of Chichester - only began in 1998, this parish has deep roots and a solid foundation. Formed from five Racine south side parishes, St. Richard Parish has blended nearly five hundred years of faith and tradition into its short history. Because of this, we respect the varied, diverse traditions that have formed St. Richard’s, but eagerly look forward to a future together.

St. Richard’s church, school and rectory were part of the former Holy Name Parish, which was founded in 1884 to serve Racine’s German community. The original church was replaced by the current structure in 1914. The rectory built in 1926 and the school constructed in 1956. Merging in 1998 at the 15th Street and Grand Avenue location were four other south side parishes. They were: St. Rose of Lima Parish (1886) founded by Irish Catholics; St. Stanislaus Parish which was organized by Polish immigrants in 1904; the Congregation of St. Casimir (1910) serving the Lithuanian community; and Holy Trinity Parish formed in 1914 by the Slovak Catholics who settled on Racine’s south side.

When the name for our parish was announced as St. Richard, it became the first parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to be so named. We are reminded each day of the challenge posed by naming this parish after Saint Richard of Chichester (1197- 1253) who was both a personally holy man and an effective pastoral leader. At a time in history when many individuals were not, Richard was a man of immense integrity. He was not only a capable administrator, but was also known to be kindly, accessible, compassionate toward sinners, generous to the poor, and, above moral reproach.

His English contemporaries considered Richard an exemplary bishop, and even today he is viewed as an apt model and patron for other bishops. In addition to such an esteemed patron as Saint Richard of Chichester, the parish is honored to be named after another model bishop, Richard J. Sklba, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Bishop Sklba grew up on Racine’s south side where he and his family were members of the former Holy Trinity Parish. The love and concern for his “home parish” of St. Richard’s continues today.

Though it is interesting to look back on the parish’s short history, the true story of St. Richard’s is the life of its people. Here, many people gather to worship and celebrate God’s blessings. The five religious traditions blended together to form St. Richard’s have been preserved and enhanced, adding much life and vibrancy to the ceremonies and events that mark St. Richard Parish. This parish has opened its doors to all persons and has made them feel at home by giving them affirmation and hope. Today, St. Richard’s stands with the same mission it has had since it’s founding, unchanged yet ever new – to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to a world searching for truth.

Parish Office:		Hours of Worship:
1509 Grand Avenue, Racine WI, 53403 262-637-8374 (phone) 262-635-2426 (fax) Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Monday -Friday		8:00 am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 4:00 pm on Saturday Two Masses on Sunday - 9:00 am & 11:30 am