Belgian Religion

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Source: Crosier Fathers & Brothers


Father Edouard Daems was the reason many Belgian immigrants came to the Door Peninsula.  Because he shared their language and religion (Roman Catholic), he was able to assist immigrants in land purchasing.  This helped establish the current Walloon-Belgian enclave on the Door Peninsula.  Born in Belgium in 1826, he immigrated to America in 1851 before landing in the Bay Settlement Parish near Green Bay in 1852.
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Father Daems church, the Holy Cross Parish, was established in 1852.  A heritage room was built in 1861 in the Bay Settlement.  This church is over 100 years old and still stands on Bay Settlement Road.  It is a tribute to the lasting heritage of the Belgians in the region.