Samuel Mazzuchelli
Father Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli ( November 4, 1806 - February 23, 1864 ) was a pioneer Catholic missionary who helped in bringing the church to the Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin tri-state areas. He founded a number of parishes in the area. He acted as the architect for a number of the parish buildings.
Father Mazzuchelli was born in Milan, Italy on Nov. 4, 1806. He became a member of the Dominican order. Prior to arriving in the Dubuque area, he worked for a time in Wisconsin. When he first arrived in the United States, he spoke almost no English. During his time in Wisconsin, he faced a number of challenges, such as hostility from other Christian denominations.
Mazzuchelli arrived in the mid 1830's to what would later become the city of Dubuque, Iowa. While there, he reorganized the parish and named it Saint Raphael's - which later became the Cathedral parish when the Dubuque Diocese was formed in 1837. He assisted Bishop Mathias Loras during the first few years after the founding of the Diocese. He also worked quite extensively in what would eventually become the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. He named three Catholic parishes after the three Archangels. These were Saint Raphael's at Dubuque, Saint Michael's at Galena, Illinois, and Saint Gabriel's at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Many remembred him as a kind and gentlemanly priest. Fr. Mazzuchelli was able to break down the cultural barriers that existed at the time and appeal to many different ethnic groups. The Irish he ministered to called him Father Matthew Kelly.
He died on Feb. 23, 1864 after contracting an illness from a sick parishoner that he had visited. Father Mazzuchelli is buried at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Benton, Wisconsin. Over the years a case for elevating Father Mazzuchelli to Sainthood has been pending with the church. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Father Mazzuchelli Venerable - the first step in the process of elevating an individual to Sainthood.
Parishes Founded by Fr. Mazzuchelli
- Saint Augustine Church, New Diggings, Wisconsin
- Saint Patrick's Church, Benton, Wisconsin
- St. Raphael's Cathedral, Dubuque, Iowa
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