The Reverend Theodore J. Van den Broek (1783-1851) founded St. John Parish here in 1836 as a mission, serving the Indians in a 300 square mile area. The present church was built between 1860-1868. Little Chute owes its Dutch heritage to this priest, who returned to Holland and persuaded three boatloads of families to come here in 1848. Fr. Van den Broek is buried on the site of the present church.