Early History

"Encouraging people to realize and respect their own dignity and potential..."

A life of preaching, caring for the poor, contemplating, & living simply

In 1528, the Capuchin dream took root, and soon there were Capuchins throughout Europe.

Over three hundred years later, two Europeans had the dream to establish the Capuchins in America.  In 1856, John Frey and Gregory Haas rode onto a hill called Mt. Calvary in central Wisconsin.  It was the end of a perilous journey that began in Switzerland, including a forty-nine day sea voyage, an eight day train trip from New York and a horseback ride from Milwaukee.

When they arrived in Mt. Calvary, all the rigors and uncertainties of pioneer life faced them.  It took twenty-six years of determined building, and in 1882 their goal was achieved:  The first Capuchin province in America, the Province of St. Joseph, was formed.

The province reached another turning point in 1952 when it divided.  The province had extended from New York to Montana.  Rapid numerical growth made it increasingly difficult to maintain the close spirit which characterizes the Capuchins.  The new Province of St. Mary included New England and New York state.  The Province of St. Joseph would include the upper Midwest.  Both provinces grew to near the size of their original single province.  Capuchins in North America are now divided into eight provinces and number about a thousand.