Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Conrath

On March 18th, 2023, the Rt. Rev’d Matthew Gunter ‘secularized’ the building of Holy Trinity Conrath.

The parish of Holy Trinity in Conrath, Wi, has served the people of Rusk County as a Roman Catholic mission, an Episcopal congregation, and the home of countless ministries, most recently the Holy Trinity Food Pantry. In late 1991, the (Roman Catholic) Diocese of Superior deemed the parish redundant, and informed its members of their intent to close the parish. They were, however, given permission to seek admission into another Church body to continue their ministries in Conrath. After fourteen months of searching, the leadership of Holy Trinity agreed to enter the (Episcopal) Diocese of Eau Claire under the guidance of the Rt. Rev’d William Wantland. On February 27th, 1993, Bishop Wantland dedicated and consecrated the building as Holy Trinity (Episcopal) Church.

Though the demographics of the area never allowed for Holy Trinity to become what it had been many decades before, the good people of the parish worked diligently to represent and spread the Gospel throughout Conrath and beyond. Among other things, they have long supported a food pantry. In 2016, Bob Rosolowski who had long been a lay leader of the congregation, was ordained a deacon. Along with his wife, Bonnie, Deacon Rosolowski continued to lead Holy Trinity and engage the community.

Tragically, both Bob and Bonnie were killed in June of 2020. The parish has struggled since to maintain regular worship and ministry. As the realities of shrinking numbers and growing costs became clear through 2021-2022, the remaining members of the parish determined that the best option for remaining active as a community was to free themselves from the demands of building maintenance and shift their worship and ministries to the “house church” model, which would allow them to gather without the cost of property maintenance. They are looking for an alternate location for the food pantry.

After looking at other options, the Standing Committee has voted to sell the property. Bishop Gunter noted, “The closing of a place where generations have worshiped is always poignant. But the faithfulness of those who have worshiped there over the years is not lost. It remains in the heart of God where every good thing is cherished forever.”