St. Joseph's Celebrates 150 Years - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

La Crosse, WI (WXOW)-- Saint Joseph the Workman Cathedral is celebrating a 150 years as a parish, with a year long celebration.

You may have seen the commemorative banners on light poles throughout downtown marking the occasion.

Mass today was the kick-off of the anniversary celebrations, and featured a choral composition written just for the 150 year celebration.

Today was also First Communion and a parishioner of the year award was handed out.

"This parish was established 150 years ago and a couple of years later," said Father Charles Stoetzel. "A couple of years later it became the parish of the diocese. So this parish was established first, before the diocese was."

Saint Joseph's will be holding events throughout the year and DVDs about the church's history are available. All the celebrations will conclude with a mass in May of next year.