St. Maria Goretti Parish

St. Maria Goretti parish was founded by Bishop William P. O'Connor, the first bishop of the Diocese of Madison. On June 12, 1959, Father Wilfred J. Schuster was named as founding pastor. At that time, the parish served approximately 200 families, and Masses were held in the Edgewood High School auditorium. When school began in the fall, the early Mass was moved to the basement of the rectory at 1613 Gilbert Road. The later morning Mass was celebrated in the Edgewood College chapel.

In 1961, the St. Maria Goretti Parish Center (the original school hall) was built on the corner of Gilbert Road and Flad Avenue. Chicago artist Carl Merschel created the glazed ceramic cross above the altar and Madison artist, Fritz Carpenter of Stefan Mittler monuments, fashioned a stone plaque of St. Maria Goretti inside the main entrance. The dining hall was available for meetings and dinners. The first Mass was celebrated in the new Parish Center on April 30, 1961. Formal dedication ceremonies were held on June 18, 1961.

In 1964, the library and office areas of the Parish Center were divided into classrooms and the building was remodeled with new offices, lounge and library. Four sisters from the order of Oblates to Divine Love (now known as Sister Oblates to the Blessed Trinity) came from New York and were the school's first teachers. St. Maria Goretti School opened in 1964 with 87students in grades 3 through 5. Eight classrooms were added in 1965, serving grades 3 through 6. Grade 7 was added in 1966, grade 8 in 1967, grades 1 and 2 in 1968 and finally kindergarten in 1980. A new rectory was built on Maria Place in 1986 to house the priests and the parish offices.

On July 12, 1992, ground was broken for the new hilltop church building, with construction beginning later that month. The church was completed approximately one year later. Dedication ceremonies were held on June 27, 1993. The church has a seating capacity of 1000. Features include the 93.5-foot tall bell tower. The cross was constructed by the Conrad Schmitt Studio of Milwaukee. The figure of Christ was hand carved in Italy and then transported to Milwaukee where the crucifix was completed.

In July, 1996, Father Michael Burke was named pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish. He has developed a professional staff, both paid and volunteer, to assist with the daily operation of the parish. This includes two Sisters of St. Agnes.

Stained glass windows depicting the Stations of the Cross and new Parish sign were installed in February, 1999, also by Conrad Schmitt Studios.

A major project to build an addition on the school, expand the church vestibule and seating, and build a Parish Center, were completed in December, 2007.