In 1868, after nearly twenty years of religious services held by traveling priests at private residences and boats, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church was founded at Marinette, Wisconsin. The name of the Church was inspired by the celebrated medical cures alleged to have taken place at Lourdes, France. A school was opened in 1876, and in 1921 the Holy Name Society and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul were organized. Through the years, French, Polish and German-speaking parishes were established in Marinette, and in 1958 rezoning of the boundaries of the city's parishes was undertaken. The new parish of Lourdes was formed July 1, 1958 and an extensive fund-raising drive culminated in the dedication of a new church and buildings on June 19, 1960.
