Saint Augustine Church (New Diggings, Wisconsin)

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St. Augustine's Church
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St. Augustine's Church

Saint Augustine Church is a former Catholic parish located in New Diggings, Wisconsin. The church is located within the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. It is one of the parishes that was established by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in 1844.

The church is a small wooden structure, and is a combination of both the gothic and classical styles. The plans for the building were drawn by Father Mazzuchelli. The Father Mazzuchelli Assembly of the Knights of Columbus of Lancaster, Wisconsin is currently working to restore the building. The American Historic Building Survey has named St. Augustine as worthy of preservation after nationwide interest was expressed in this church. The church had three rooms behind the altar that provided living quarters for the priest whenever he stayed in the village. Father Mazzuchelli opened a school in these rooms in 1847. He staffed his small school with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters.

St. Augustine is no longer an active parish. However because of the special historical connection to Father Mazzuchelli, the church is still a place of pilgrimage. The building is open on Sundays from 1 to 4 pm, and a memorial mass is held annually on the last Sunday of September. A number of historical artifacts, such as account books, records, letters, and other materials are preserved in the archives at Sinsinawa Mound in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.