Welcome to
St. Martin
Heritage Park
When God closes one door, He opens another.
On November 13, 2005, the church doors of St. Martin Catholic Church was closed to worship, but the vitality of the community within stood strong.
A small group of former parish members formed a non-profit organization in an effort to purchase the property and save its 140 years of heritage. The Green Bay Diocese deeded the property of St. Martin Heritage Park – Charlestown, Inc. on December 28, 2006. And the plan began to make the property into a new self-sufficient Park.
A towering steeple reigns over our quiet countryside.
St. Martin Heritage Park invites both old and new friends to enjoy all it has to offer. Picnic tables and benches are scattered on the sunny lawn and under shade of trees for convenient relaxation. The soft-spoken beauty of the native limestone rock and dancing butterflies accent the many gardens.
Dozens of trees, a Martin (the Park mascot) birdhouse, flagpole, playground equipment and more have been added in honor or in memory of special people in the lives’ of donors. Membership, rentals, grants, and other forms of giving sustains the Park’s natural beauty.
A pristine Celebration Gazebo is planted on the grassy hillside. It bids welcome to a quiet moment of contemplation, guitar strumming, a picnic of laughter or maybe even – vows of eternal love.
Century - old church breathes a new life.
Sitting high on a hilltop in Charlestown, Calumet County, the existing limestone church was erected in 1876 by ancestors of the community residents. Today with seating for 225, it offers a truly unique setting for weddings, community, family or corporate events.
Pictorial stained glass windows illuminate the interior, while a minimalist approach to decor leaves a clean palette for the imagination of any event planner. From the simply elegant to the perfectly simple affair, we can connect you with the right caterers, florists, photographers and even ministers to complete your event.
The Social Hall of St. Martin Heritage Park gives 3200 square feet of opportunity for indoor family fun or serious business. The facility including full kitchen, appliances, tables, chairs, serving-ware, and big screen TV is available to rent. Handicap-friendly, of course.
Our mission is rooted in our heritage.
The friends of St. Martin Heritage Park, Charlestown envisions creating and maintaining an educational site preserving the heritage of the former St. Martin Parish and community.
The site, rich in buildings and landscape architecture, will promote tranquil contemplation, energetic socialization and mutual enjoyment of God’s gifts to us all. For present generations – to be inherited by future generations.
For present generations - to be inherited by future generations.
Nestled inside the St. Martin Heritage Chapel lies the history of the former St. Martin Catholic Church and its founders. German records from over a century ago were translated and photos collected to reveal the heart & soul of our community.
We invite you to browse the History of St. Martin Parish, 1866-2005 or the Catholic Education Timeline 1850-2005. Kathy, our Heritage Museum Director also compiled biographies of veterans from the former parish. Read their stories within The Civil War, 1861-1865 and The Great War WWI, 1914-1918. You’ll find the Museum open by appointment and during most events.
Board of Directors.
The Board envisions the property to continue as a symbol of the spirit of the community. The founding and the current 7-member board of directors has four members whose Charlestown homesteads have been recognized by the state of Wisconsin for their continuous existence for 100, 140, and 150 years. So their ancestors were among those that built the church with limestone from the Charlestown quarry. Indeed, “heritage” is what St. Martin Heritage Park is all about.