Page "St. Nazianz, Wisconsin" Paragraph 7

In late August 1854, Father Oschwald sent six men to locate the land he had purchased, and they took a boat from Milwaukee to Manitowoc, the county seat.

They then headed west by oxcart, getting as far as the place where Valders now stands.

They then cut their way through the dense forest, arriving at their destination on August 27.

The men named the site St. Nazianz, in honor of Gregory Nazianzus.

Father Oschwald followed on September 1 with more men, and the group began working to clear the land and build log houses.

Soon after, work started on the community's first church, a 32-by-24-foot structure, which was built by hand.

By October 21, the church was half completed, and Father Oschwald celebrated the first Mass.