Saint Francis de Sales Seminary (St. Francis, Wisconsin)

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Saint Francis Seminary, one of the first Roman Catholic seminaries in the United States, was founded in 1845. Bishop John Martin Henni established the Seminary when the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was just two years old to answer the urgent need for priests to serve the growing number of immigrant Catholics who were settling in Milwaukee

Ten years later, the Seminary moved to its permanent site, just south of the Milwaukee city limits. The new building was dedicated on January 29, 1856, the feast day of the Seminary's patron, St. Francis de Sales.

The original Seminary building, named Henni Hall, was renovated in 1989 and remains the center of Seminary life.

In the past 160 years, Saint Francis Seminary has prepared more than 4,000 men for the priesthood.

Since Vatican II, the Seminary has also prepared more than 200 deacons and 200 lay ministers to fill leadership positions in our parishes, schools and hospitals.

Saint Francis Seminary continues to be faithful to its long-standing motto: "You are the salt of the earth." (Matt. 5:13a) Its doors are open to all who are called to serve.