About Our Parishes
We are located in the heart of Western Kenosha County – where tradition and country life come together. Our area of the state is growing with sprawling new neighborhoods emerging to meet the growing economic development in this area. We are also a great location for commuters – those who work in Chicago or Milwaukee. Come explore our parish setting where you can experience tradition in God’s country.
St. Alphonsus in New Munster and St. John the Evangelist share priests for their Mass schedule. In total, we have about 640 families – with 300 at St. Alphonsus and 340 at St. John’s
While we are two separate parishes, our efforts are collaborative and coordinated through our Parish Director, Dr. Sandi Schmitt.
We have a shared Faith Formation Program – where students from both parishes come together to learn about Christ and His Church. Our Masses are scheduled to accommodate parishioners at both churches.
We’ve transformed our St. John’s rectory into a place of outreach through the Twin Lakes Area Food Pantry.
With the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will continue to work together and use our collective resources to welcome people to Christ – who truly is the Light that guides us through darkness.
St. John The Evangelist Parish – Twin Lakes, WI
In 1926 priests from Holy Name of Jesus parish in Wilmot began to visit Catholic families around Lakes Elizabeth and Mary. In 1932 a Mission Church of Holy Name was formally established under the patronage of St. John the Evangelist. Five years later, the Village of Twin Lakes was incorporated in 1937.
In 1942 a church building was constructed on what is now the site of the Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory in Twin Lakes. The church building was a simple, unfinished cement block structure with only the essentials for conducting Mass. The majority of the initial building cost was funded by Holy Name. When the mission became a parish in June 1950, the building was improved to include heating, a finished hall, and other improvements.
On May 3, 1970 ground was broken for a new church at the current site that was similar in design to a Catholic Church that was radically changed by the Second Vatican Council. The wheelchair accessible building includes a large yet intimate worship space with a gathering area that flows into parish offices and catechetical space. These design concepts are still used in new churches today, some 42 years later. The parish rectory at St. John’s is partially used to provide area residents with social service support through the Twin Lakes Area Food Pantry.
Over the past number of years, parish collaboration has become a key element in maintaining a vibrant and spiritual faith community. Through collaboration, the Mass schedule was modified and a number of key staff positions are now shared between St. John the Evangelist and St. Alphonsus parishes which creatively utilize our resources while enabling our parishes to function more efficiently.
At this time, there are about 340 faith-filled families within St. John the Evangelist Parish. With the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will continue to work together with our neighboring parishes to use the resources of all to welcome people to Christ – who truly is the Light that guides us through darkness.
St. Alphonsus – New Munster, WI
St. Alphonsus Church is a deeply rooted community dating back to the 1840’s when emigrants from Munster, Germany settled in the area and named it New Munster. Today, St. Alphonsus Church is a vibrant faith community that is known for its family appeal. All are welcome here, which is evident in the growth the Church has experienced over the last several years. Today, over 300 families are registered in the Parish and the number continues to grow as the Wheatland area experiences continued growth.