The village of St. Nazianz initially grew around the religious theme. Today it is a small rural crossroads community that provides retail services and retains much of its founding atmosphere. Many features of the early years that gave an "old world relic" notoriety to the village remain fully evident today. Such living heritage items are recommended for preservation in order to preserve the uniqueness of St. Nazianz.

Dismayed by the political and religious environment of mid-nineteenth century Germany, a group of Roman Catholics led by Father Ambrose Oschwald, pooled their resources and migrated to North America. In the autumn of 1854 the group purchased 3,840 acres of wilderness in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and established the communal settlement of St. Nazianz. Surviving initial hardships, the religious centered society experienced contentment and growth within its philosophical ideals. Following the death of Oschwald in 1873 many society members sought private title to land parcels in proportion to their input into the communal development. Several years of court contests resulted in nearly one-half of the land being deeded to individuals. By 1896, the aging membership of the society was dwindling and thus the Rome-based Society of the Divine Savior was called upon to care for them. In return, the SDS was given title to remaining communal property. The SDS established a major religious education center at St. Nazianz and today retains title to nearly 1400 acres.