1849 -A pastor and his assistant led a group of 12 women and men, Third Order Secular Franciscans, from their parish in Ettenbeuren, Bavaria, to Milwaukee, Wis. Arriving at the diocese on May 18, 1849, the six women in the group, with Mother Aemiliana Dirr as their leader, committed themselves to founding a religious community to spread the gospel among German immigrants, especially through educating children, caring for the disadvantaged, and, when possible, establishing perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

1860 -Diverted from education to household duties at the newly built diocesan seminary in 1856, overwhelmed with physical labor, and finding themselves unable to develop a truly religious life, the founders left the community.

1864 -The sisters and their newly elected leader, Mother Antonia Herb, moved the motherhouse to Jefferson, Wis. There, at St. Coletta Convent, the sisters renewed their aspirations to teach and establish perpetual adoration.

1869 -The Rev. Michael Heiss, bishop of the newly formed Diocese of La Crosse, requested Mother Antonia move the motherhouse to La Crosse, Wis.

1871 -The sisters moved to La Crosse and into the new motherhouse, St. Rose of Viterbo Convent.

1873 -Thirty-seven sisters and one postulant formed a new community in Milwaukee. Sixty-five sisters, 12 novices, and 12 postulants continued in La Crosse.

1874 -The first Maria Angelorum Chapel was dedicated on August 2.

1878 -The sisters realized their goal to begin perpetual adoration on August 1. The adoration has continued without interruption ever since.

1882 -Mother Antonia died and was succeeded by Mother Ludovica Keller, who led the community until 1928.

1895 -FSPA purchased a farm near La Crosse to provide food for both the convent and hospital. Ultimately the property became the site for Villa St. Joseph, a center for retired and ill sisters.

1906 -The new Maria Angelorum Chapel was completed, replacing the first community chapel and the second Chapel of Adoration.

1914 -Construction of St. Rose Convent building was completed.

1923 -Fire destroyed the original St. Rose Convent building and the fire went right to the spot where St. Michael here stands in this photo and stopped.

1925 -Restoration of St. Rose Convent�s original building was completed.