St. Henry Church  watertown

                                  St. Henry Church

Three new church bells came to St. Henry in 1897 and were named Henry, Joseph, and Elizabeth. For well over a century, these bells have called the faithful to prayer and worship.

In 1903, St. Henry Parish celebrated its Jubilee Year, marking fifty years of faith, growth, and service to the Catholic community. A grotto was constructed on the east side of the church in 1921, providing a place for prayer and devotion. A portion of that original grotto remains today and has been incorporated into the parish chapel and confessional. The chapel's stained-glass windows are among the surviving elements of the historic grotto.

A significant transition occurred in 1946 with the establishment of the Diocese of Madison. At that time, St. Henry Parish became part of the newly formed diocese after previously belonging to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Shortly thereafter, in 1949, the parish undertook a renovation project to modernize and enhance many of the church’s interior features.

Additional improvements followed during the early 1950s. In 1952, the former school building was demolished and replaced with a new educational facility, ensuring that future generations would continue to receive a Catholic education rooted in faith and academic excellence.

The church underwent one of its most significant renovations in 1962. During this project, much of the interior and portions of the exterior were rebuilt and renewed. The prominent statue of St. Henry that overlooks the front façade of the church was installed during this renovation, as were the enclosed front entrance and the large stained-glass windows depicting St. Henry and Christ the King. That same year, the parish celebrated the centennial of the church building, giving thanks for one hundred years of worship, prayer, and sacramental life within its walls.

In 1996, two stained-glass windows located behind the sanctuary, near the tabernacle, were uncovered and restored, revealing once again an important part of the church’s artistic and spiritual heritage.

Another remarkable discovery occurred in 2001 when Fr. Bernard Rott, then pastor of St. Henry Parish, began removing layers of paint from the upper left side of the sanctuary. His efforts revealed four original murals that had been concealed during previous renovations. This unexpected discovery inspired a comprehensive interior restoration project that was completed in 2002. The restoration preserved and highlighted many of the church’s historic artistic features while renewing the beauty of the sacred space for future generations.

Since the completion of the 2002 restoration, no major interior or exterior renovation projects have been undertaken at St. Henry Church.

Education has long been an important part of the parish’s mission. St. Henry School was established in 1854 to provide a quality Catholic education to the children of the community. The school was initially staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose dedication helped shape generations of faithful students. In later years, St. Henry School and St. Bernard School merged to form Watertown Catholic School. In August 2025, the school was renamed St. Thérèse School and today serves as the parish school of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish.

Today, St. Henry Catholic Church continues to serve as a vibrant center of worship, prayer, and evangelization. The church hosts daily Mass, school liturgies, sacramental celebrations, and numerous parish gatherings throughout the year. The campus also serves the parish’s Religious Education program, helping to form young disciples in the Catholic faith.