Shrine of St Anthony of PADUA

Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua on Bay Settlement Road in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Tucked in the woods off Bay Settlement Road in Green Bay, the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua is one of those quiet places that feels easy to miss unless you know it is there. Reached by a short walk through the trees along the Niagara Escarpment, this small limestone chapel is a simple but memorable historic stop in Brown County.

The chapel’s woodland setting adds to its charm. Built from local limestone, it feels closely tied to the landscape around it. For visitors who enjoy hidden historic places, short walks, and the cultural history of northeast Wisconsin, this is an interesting stop that offers both scenery and local heritage in one small place.

General Info

To reach the chapel, park near the marked area and head down the stone steps. Follow the main path to the right, then take the second path to the left. A short distance farther, another side path on the right leads toward the chapel, and you should see a sign along the way.

What makes this stop especially interesting is its setting. The chapel sits hidden among trees near the Niagara Escarpment, giving it a peaceful and slightly tucked-away feel. It is not a large attraction, but it is the kind of place that leaves an impression because of its quiet surroundings and sense of history.

History of the Chapel

In 1925, Odile Le Mieux planned the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua as a place for daily devotion in the wooded ridge behind her home. With her vision and the help of her husband and his brother, the family constructed the 12-by-18-foot structure out of limestone.

The chapel originally included eight windows, a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, space for an altar, and the Stations of the Cross. Each June, Odile gathered family, friends, and relatives there to pray the rosary and novena to St. Anthony. Over time, the area became known as Chapel Ridge Heights.

For visitors today, the chapel offers a glimpse into the religious and cultural traditions that shaped this part of northeast Wisconsin. It is a small structure, but one with a strong sense of place and story.

“If you don’t know history, you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.”

Michael Crichton

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More Chapels Like This in Northeast Wisconsin

The Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua is part of a larger tradition of small roadside chapels built by Belgian settlers in Brown, Door, and Kewaunee counties. These chapels were often dedicated to saints and built for reasons such as daily devotion, thanksgiving, or prayers for the health of loved ones.

Some of these chapels remain open to visitors, while others are locked or only occasionally accessible. If you enjoy quiet historic stops, it is worth watching for more of them when traveling through places like Namur, Brussels, and other parts of northeast Wisconsin where Belgian heritage remains especially strong.

Why This Stop Is Worth Visiting

This is not a major attraction, and that is part of what makes it special. The short walk in, the limestone chapel, the wooded escarpment setting, and the local history all combine to make it feel like one of Brown County’s quieter hidden places. For visitors who appreciate historic structures, peaceful trails, and lesser-known Wisconsin stops, it is well worth a visit.