Construction of St. Michael’s Church began in 1960 and the first Eucharist was celebrated in 1961
An addition was built onto the original church building in 1990 to make more space for the growing parish
Our dear Deacon Lynn answered the call to ministry and was ordained in July 2022
Fr. Lars Skoglund served faithfully as rector for St. Michael’s from October of 2020 until July of 2026
Breaking Ground for the future location of St. Michael’s with Fr. Baker in October 1960
History of St. Michael’s
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church began as a mission of Immanuel Church with assistance from some kind donors. Ground was broken in 1960 and the first Eucharist was celebrated on Oct. 8, 1961. A major renovation and addition were completed in 1991. Outreach ministries have always been important to our parish and we currently serve the Racine community in a variety of ways. Our parishioners regularly volunteer to prepare and serve meals at the Welcome Center downtown and provide support to the community through monthly donations of food, personal items, and monetary collections to food pantries and other organizations that aid children, veterans and those in need.
We continue to seek out new ways to support our local community and welcome all to worship, to join in formation and to engage in mission with us. Our Deacon, Lynn Zoebel, began as a full-time member of St. Michael’s in 2000 and spent over 20 years serving through ministry. After three years of study, she honored God’s call to the ministry of the diaconate and, in July of 2022, was ordained in the Episcopal Cathedral of Milwaukee.
In October of 2020, Fr. Lars Skoglund was appointed rector of St. Michael’s, returning to his home town of Racine with his wife Katie and their two children. At the 2024 General Convention, the Milwaukee Diocese along with dioceses of Eau Claire and Fond du Lac voted to affirm reunion as one Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin. The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter became the 12th Bishop of Wisconsin.
In June of 2026, Fr. Lars felt a calling to serve God in a different capacity, outside of Wisconsin and is now doing great things in Texas with his family. Our parish continues to thrive with supply priests filling in each week, as our Vestry works diligently with Diocese to find God’s perfect match for our congregation. Today, under the leadership and care of Deacon Lynn, the Vestry, and other church leaders, St. Michael’s welcomes you to our community, worship and ministry.
Fr. Terry McGugan joined as full-time assistant
in 1995, became full-time rector in 1997 until 2012
Fr. Lars Skoglund from 2020 until 2026
Priests Throughout the Ages
Fr. William McLean from 1963 to 1970
Fr. Benjamin Cape from 1970 to 1981
Fr. John Ambelang from 1981 to 1997
Fr. Charles Doan joined as part-time assistant in 1993
Fr. Dustin Fecht from 2012 until 2020
The very first priest to serve at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church was Fr. Harold Baker (top left) in 1961, and Fr. Carter Gregory (top right) was given responsibility of the parish in March of 1962.
After that, the history of parish priests includes:
Times of Transition
While we embark on the journey of discernment to see who God will call to be our next rector at St. Michael’s, we reflect on the wonderful blessing that Fr. Lars Skoglund and his family have been to this parish. In July, our Vestry threw the Skoglund family a farewell party to thank them for all they have done to enrich the lives of our parishioners and church community. While will miss Fr. Lars, Katie and the kiddos deeply and wish them all the best in their next journey, we are excited to see what God has in store next for St. Michael’s.
