Our Parish Journey:
The History of SS. Cyril & Methodius
Located at 822 New Jersey Avenue in Sheboygan, the story of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish is a story of faith, perseverance, and community. It began with the hopes and dreams of Croatian and Slovenian immigrants who came to Sheboygan seeking a better life—and a place to worship in their native language.
A Parish Born from Hope
In the early 1900s, as immigration from Yugoslavia (then Austria-Hungary) increased, the need for a church that reflected the cultural and spiritual heritage of these newcomers became urgent. A heartfelt plea was published in the Slovenian newspaper Amerikanski Slovenec, calling for a Slovenian-speaking priest. Father James Cherne, serving in Wyoming at the time, answered that call.
A site was chosen at Ninth Street and New Jersey Avenue, and on September 18, 1910, the cornerstone was laid. The first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday, April 9, 1911, in what became affectionately known as “The Church on the Hill.”
A Voice for the Community
Recognizing the importance of church bells to call the faithful to prayer and mark life’s milestones, parishioners raised $543.80 through house-to-house collections. Bells were cast in Ljubljana and blessed by Archbishop Sebastian G. Messmer on November 2, 1913, in front of a crowd of 800.
Building a Parish Home
In 1921, the parish purchased land on the west side of Sheboygan for a cemetery and picnic grounds. Today, Greendale Cemetery (Zelina Dolina) is the final resting place for over 750 members of our Croatian and Slovenian families.
The parish school opened on September 11, 1923, with its first graduating class in 1924. For 54 years, the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King faithfully served the school until 1977, after which lay teachers continued until the school closed in 1991.
Renovation and Renewal
Major renovations in 1952 brought new altars to the church, and in 1981, a chapel was dedicated at the cemetery. In 1990, a Cemetery Crucifixion Group was added and blessed by Fr. Richard Fleischman. These enhancements reflected the parish’s ongoing commitment to honoring God and its community.
A Century of Faith
In 2010, Ss. Cyril & Methodius celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of worship, service, and cultural heritage. In February 2014, Fr. Paul Fliss was appointed Pastor of the Tri-Parish Faith Communities on Sheboygan’s south side, continuing the legacy of unity and shared mission.
In December 2019, Fr. Subi joined the parish from India as Associate Pastor. He served faithfully until 2023, when he became Pastor of St. John the Baptist in Plymouth and St. Thomas Aquinas in Elkhart Lake. He was succeeded by newly ordained Fr. Kenneth Anyanwu, who now serves alongside Fr. Paul.
SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish remains a vibrant community, rooted in the faith of its founders and committed to serving future generations. We give thanks to God for all He has done—and all He continues to do—through our parish family.
