Irish settlers built the original Our Lady of Mount Carmel church, located near the present parish house, in 1871-1872. Father Patrick Farrelly was the first pastor. In 1962, a parishioner designated a very generous donation for the construction of a new church. This church, located just west of the original church, was dedicated in 1967. To address the needs of our aging community, an elevator was installed in the church in the early 2000s, making the whole facility handicapped-accessible.
Throughout its history, Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been linked with many parishes in various groupings. In 1966, the parish was linked with St. Mary’s in New Hampton. In 1989, our pastor was also assigned pastoral duties at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Little Turkey, and Sacred Heart, Reilly Ridge. In 2000, we were realigned with St. Mary, Waucoma, and St. Luke, St. Lucas, to form the Servants of the Lord Cluster. Upon retirement of the pastor in 2008, these three parishes joined with St. John, Fort Atkinson, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Little Turkey, and Holy Trinity, Protivin, to become the Christ Our Hope Cluster.
As the parish has undergone change, so has the religious education program. A parochial school was completed in 1882. The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary began their association with the parish in 1888 and continued until the school closed in 1969. The religious education building, the Father Moran Center, was constructed in 1971.
In 2004, the intergenerational Generations of Faith program was adopted as the religious education program for the cluster parishes. Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel remains an important center of religious education and formation for families in the Christ Our Hope Cluster.
Today the parishioners proudly remember the past, celebrate the present, and joyfully anticipate the future as they accept the challenges facing the parish community.
