Hackner’s legacy in wood and stone

Francis painting by FSPA Marietta Hackner

In honor of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration celebrating 175 years this year, FSPA is in collaboration with the La Crosse Historical Society and other community organizations. They will create an exhibit honoring the Hackner family’s legacy by displaying creations of Egid Hackner and his daughter, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Marietta Hackner.

Egid Hackner had a deep fascination with churches and the art within them. Growing up in Bavaria, Germany, he developed his passion for designing church pieces during his travels throughout Europe, where he immersed himself in European art. Like most businesses, E. Hackner Co. started off with two men but eventually expanded to employ more than 100 people who helped create furnishings found in churches in over 34 states. 

Hackner created statues, built altars and carved wood for Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s Mary of the Angels Chapel and Perpetual Adoration Chapel. “Hackner worked on a lot of churches in La Crosse like St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, and even like First Lutheran, Holy Trinity and St. James,” shares Amy Vach, Curator at the La Crosse Historical Society. During months of extensive searching, Vach encountered artwork created by Sister Marietta Hackner.

FSPA affiliate and Archivist, Meg Paulino, shares, “It’s been a really neat community collaboration between all of these different partners.”

Students from Western Technical College and archeology professor, David Anderson, helped make the exhibit possible. They created digital replicas of the items, allowing people to view the exhibit online. 

This exhibition will be displayed at the La Crosse Area Heritage, located at 506 Main Street. The exhibit will feature the creations of Egid Hackner and Sister Marietta Hackner. The exhibit will run until October 5, 2024. The Heritage Center is open Thursday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:40 pm. 

Read more at the La Crosse Tribune or this alternative link.

For more information on the exhibit, please visit the La Crosse Historical Society website.