Organized by Fr. J.N. Pfeiffer and the Irish Catholics of the area in 1859, St. Mary Parish was the first Roman Catholic church in Appleton.[2][3] In 1860, a frame church was completed and dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus under the title “St. Mary of the Seven Dolors”. U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy is buried in the parish cemetery.[4] Wisconsin State Assemblyman John Tracy and his family were attendees.[5]
