Oktoberfest traces its roots to 1810 when the Roman Catholic King of Bavaria, Ludwig I, married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Today, Oktoberfest in Munich is the world’s largest folk festival and two weeks of beer-drinking, sausage-eating, lederhosen-wearing, and merry-making. 

Save yourself the trip to Germany this year and join us for our inaugural Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 28 in the St. Elizabeth Church Courtyard, 714 49th Street. Our Oktoberfest has no admission fee and is open to the public. The festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. (to be timed with the end of the 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth) and run until 11:00 p.m. Authentic Bavarian music will be provided by Ed Jacobi & Die Musikmeisters Band, and they begin playing at 7:00 p.m.

St. Elizabeth parishioner and St. George School alumnus, Dr. Timothy Dosemagen, will lead the evening as master of ceremonies. Come and enjoy Oktoberfest games and trivia throughout the evening. Food and beverages will be available for purchase including several beers served in 16 oz. mugs, soda, and water. For food, enjoy a choice of sausages with a variety of mustards, fresh soft pretzels, and apple pie rolls with caramel or powdered sugar for dessert. 

The current parish of St. Elizabeth was established in 2000 as a result of merging the parishes of St. George and St. Casimir. St. George parish was founded in 1849 by 30 German Catholic families. Originally erected in 1866 and extended in 1877, the current church on the St. Elizabeth property still retains the original name of “St. George” in the brickwork on the façade above the main entrance. The cream city brick of the church exterior, built by Kenosha's German immigrants, will provide the backdrop to this celebration of our parish’s German heritage. 

King Ludwig I has a strong, direct connection to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. His face is on the front main doors of the St. Francis Seminary on South Lake Drive. In 1848, King Ludwig I of Bavaria gifted a painting of the Annunciation to Old Saint Mary, which has hung above the church's high altar ever since. St. Mary’s Orphanage in Elm Grove was opened on June 21, 1859 after the king gifted a grant of 20 acres of land to the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  The funds for the land were granted on the condition that the Sisters would take charge of twelve to sixteen female orphans.  The orphanage remained open as St. Mary’s until 1923 when the name was legally changed to Guardian Angel Home. 

We hope to see you at our celebration of Oktoberfest at St. Elizabeth. Prost!