Saint Augustine Church (New Diggings, Wisconsin)

Saint Augustine Church is a former Catholic parish located in New Diggings, Wisconsin. The church is located within the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. It is one of 36 parishes that was established by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in 1835 with the church being constructed in 1844.].

The church is a small wooden structure, and is a combination of both the Greek/gothic and classical styles. The plans for the building were drawn by Father Mazzuchelli. The Father Mazzuchelli Assembly of the Knights of Columbus of Lancaster, Wisconsin is currently working to restore the building. The Historic American Buildings Survey has named St. Augustine as worthy of preservation after nationwide interest was expressed in this church. The church had three rooms behind the altar that provided living quarters for the priest whenever he stayed in the village. Father Mazzuchelli opened a school in these rooms in 1847. He staffed his small school with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters.

St. Augustine is no longer an active parish. However because of the special historical connection to Father Mazzuchelli, the church is still a place of pilgrimage. The building is open on Sundays from 1 to 4 pm, and a memorial mass is held annually on the last Sunday of August. A number of historical artifacts, such as account books, records, letters, and other materials are preserved in the archives at Sinsinawa Mound in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. The restoration and preservation of St Augustine will be completed by mid summer 2008.

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