• At first, the School Sisters of Notre Dame was just a convent and an orphanage. 
• However, in 1859, a private school was started in the convent, and one of the classrooms was used as a temporary church for the people nearby. 
• Soon, the church outgrew the classroom and was moved to the Sister’s chapel, called Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• This chapel then became the parish church. 
• Later in 1868, a new brick church was built in the convent grounds, but it was soon outgrown and demolished. 
• In 1921, St. Mary’s church was then built on the intersection of Watertown Plank Road and Juneau Boulevard. 
• Now, the old church is being used as a realtors office.
• Today, St. Mary’s Parish is located across the street where it is being used as a Catholic school and an active parish. ​