Catholic Woman’s Club: A home base

Continued from previous week

GREEN BAY – In January of 1921, the Catholic Woman’s Club became an incorporated society and its mission was taking off in the city.

Its success was only amplified by the structure that served as its home base.

“The Allouez Community house is one of the finest clubhouses in the state. It is the only institution of its kind that has been erected and will be maintained through the efforts of the Catholic club,” an Oct. 14, 1921, Press Gazette article stated, of the club facilities located at 423 E. Walnut St., Green Bay.

“Light, airy bedrooms offer a haven for transient women and girls, to those in distress, and permanent homes for a limited number of girls who are working away from home and appreciate a home of beauty and comfort.

“Mrs. Hubbard, the matron of the nursery, remains to care for the youngsters who moved to new quarters in the community house. The nursery ranks with the best in the country and houses an average of 15 children daily, ranging from infants to 10 years of age.

“The clubhouse will be supported solely through the activities of the club and the auxiliary and the rents derived from the auditorium, the bedrooms and the house proper.”

But, after the city levied a tax of $325 on the Allouez Community House property in 1922, the club went to battle against the city of Green Bay asking the circuit court to enjoin the city and its officials from collecting it.

The club was claiming on the grounds that it was a benevolent association without capital stock in which no member benefitted financially, it should be exempt from taxation due to non-profit status.

Circuit court judge Henry Graass supported the club’s argument.
Unhappy with the loss of that tax revenue over the years of club ownership on that property, the city appealed and the matter went to the state Supreme Court.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the ruling.

With the onset of World War II, the club added work with the American Red Cross Blood Bank to its numerous charitable works in the Green Bay community.

In 1950, the club marked its Golden Jubilee year, with an extensive redecorating project at 423 East Walnut.

“The spacious quarters, tastefully done in pastel green with mulberry carpeting, green satin drapes and solid oak woodwork, includes a reception hall, music room, living room, library and dining room, all on the main floor and all interconnected with wide doorways which are equipped with sliding doors so that any part of the space could be shut off for smaller gatherings,” a Press-Gazette article stated.

The club also marked its 50th year with a mortgage burning — a fitting way to enter its next decade in the community.

To be continued