About Diocese of Crookston
The Diocese of Crookston (Latin: Diœcesis Crookstoniensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in northwestern Minnesota, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Erected on December 31, 1909, by Pope Pius X from the western half of the former Diocese of Duluth, it covers 14 rural counties across 17,210 square miles and is led today by Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, the eighth bishop. Its mother church is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, with 66 parishes, eight Catholic grade schools and one high school, and a Catholic population of roughly 32,000.
- Bishop
- Andrew H. Cozzens
- Established
- 1909
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (1990), Crookston, Minnesota
- Territory
- Fourteen counties in northwestern Minnesota: Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Polk, Red Lake, Pennington, Clearwater, Beltrami, Norman, Mahnomen, Hubbard, Clay, and Becker (approximately 17,210 square miles / 55,841 square miles per Catholic-Hierarchy; 17,210 sq mi per diocese history).
- Parishes
- 66 parishes and missions
- Province
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (Ecclesiastical Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis)
History of the Diocese of Crookston
Formally erected December 31, 1909, by Pope Pius X from the western half of the Diocese of Duluth, the Diocese of Crookston took in 14 Minnesota counties across 17,210 square miles — one of the largest U.S. dioceses by area. The pope appointed Father Timothy J. Corbett of Saint Paul as first bishop; his 28-year tenure (1910–1938) saw more than 50 churches and 12 schools built, many financed by Corbett's relentless fundraising (earning him the nickname "the begging Bishop"). He dedicated the first Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on February 2, 1913. Seven later bishops shaped the diocese: John H. Peschges (1938–44), who founded the CCD for rural youth; Francis J. Schenk (1945–60), who established diocesan Catholic Social Service, CYO, Our Northland Diocese newspaper and summer boarding schools for Mexican migrant workers' children; Lawrence A. Glenn (1960–70); Kenneth J. Povish (1970–75), who implemented Vatican II reforms; Victor H. Balke (1976–2007), who dedicated the present cathedral in 1990; Michael J. Hoeppner (2007–21), whose resignation was accepted under Vos estis lux mundi; and the current eighth bishop, Andrew H. Cozzens (2021–present), installed December 6, 2021.
- Erected December 31, 1909 by Pope Pius X
- Territory: 14 counties in northwestern Minnesota
- Eight bishops in 115+ years
- First cathedral dedicated February 2, 1913 (Neo-Gothic, Bert D. Keck, architect)
- Second (current) cathedral dedicated September 25, 1990
Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools, led by Director LaCosta Potter, M.S., oversees eight Catholic grade schools and one high school across the rural 14-county region. The schools serve families in agribusiness, forestry, tourism, and small-town Minnesota. Each parish school works with its local pastor and principal on curriculum, faith formation, and donor/development programs. The 2000 Jubilee Year campaign 'Faith for Tomorrow / A Future with Promise' raised $4 million specifically for the educational mission of the diocese.
- Cathedral School — Crookston (Pastor: Msgr. David Baumgartner; Principal: Stephanie Webster)
- Holy Rosary School — Detroit Lakes (Pastor: Fr. Nate Brunn; Principal: Cathy Larson)
- Sacred Heart School — East Grand Forks (Pastor: Fr. Matt Schmitz; K-12 Principal Nevin Lubarski)
- St. Philip's School — Bemidji (Pastor: Fr. Craig Vasek; Principal: Laura Brickson)
- St. Bernard's School — Thief River Falls
- St. Joseph's School — Moorhead (Administrator: Fr. Tom Niehaus; Principal: Alyssa Schindler)
- St. Michael's School — Mahnomen
- St. Mary's Mission School — Red Lake (Administrator: LaCosta Potter)
- Office of Catholic Schools — 218-281-4533 ext. 457
Youth Formation & Missionary Discipleship
The Office of Formation in Discipleship, directed by Deacon Mark Krejci, Ph.D., coordinates ministries for young people across the diocese with the motto 'Be on Mission With Us.' Drawing on Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit, the office frames youth as 'the now of God' rather than the church of tomorrow. Major programs include the annual Diocese of Crookston Youth Conference (DCYC), hosted at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, featuring speakers, music, adoration, and Mass; the Reason For Hope Retreats; National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) trips; St. John Paul II Camp and St. Teresa of Calcutta Camp; and a year-round Service and Missionary Team. Programming Coordinator Misty Mehrkens and Formation Associate Bob Noel work with parish leaders on catechesis and family-engagement.
- Diocese of Crookston Youth Conference (DCYC) — Sanford Center, Bemidji
- Reason For Hope Retreats
- National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
- St. John Paul II Camp & St. Teresa of Calcutta Camp
- Service and Missionary Team
- Staff: Deacon Mark Krejci, Bob Noel, Misty Mehrkens
Marriage & Family Ministry
Marriage and family life is treated as the 'Domestic Church' and the primary school of discipleship. The diocesan Office of Marriage and Family supports parishes in fostering family life, offers marriage preparation in conformity with canon law and Familiaris Consortio, and trains couples for parish-based ministry. Engaged couples are invited to the annual 'Transformed in Love' Pre-Marriage Retreat, held at the Diocese of Crookston Pastoral Retreat Center at 620 Summit Ave N, Crookston; it begins Saturday at 11:00 AM and concludes Sunday at 3:00 PM, with private bedrooms, meals, and materials provided. The diocese also offers free online Creighton Introductory Sessions and $50 Marquette training through its Natural Family Planning team, led by Laura Golden, FCP and Sarah McKeown, CFCP, addressing fertility awareness, infertility, PMS, miscarriage, and reproductive health in line with Church teaching.
- 'Transformed in Love' Pre-Marriage Retreat
- Creighton Model FertilityCare (NFP)
- Marquette Method NFP training ($50)
- Contact: Misty Mehrkens, 218-281-4533 ext. 437
- Pastoral Retreat Center, 620 Summit Ave N, Crookston
Safe Environment & Child Protection
The diocese operates a robust Safe Environment program in accordance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Director Jim Remer serves as the Bishop's Delegate; Safe Environment Coordinator Renee Tate manages annual certification for adults who work with minors. The 'Circle of Grace' children's program is used for grades K-12 across all parishes — a faith-based, age-appropriate personal-safety curriculum. Annual recertification is required for clergy, employees, and volunteers; Code of Conduct documents and reporting procedures are published in Appendices A and B. Reporting mechanisms for abuse are clearly posted for both diocesan and civil authorities.
- 'Circle of Grace' K-12 youth training program
- Annual adult safe-environment certification
- Bishop's Delegate: Jim Remer, 218-281-4224
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Renee Tate, 218-281-4533 ext. 432
- USCCB Charter compliance
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The first Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, designed by architect Bert D. Keck in Neo-Gothic style, was dedicated February 2, 1913, with an interior completed by 1915. It featured three spires, two antiphonal balconies, a choir loft, oil paintings of the Passion and saints, and a soaring rib-vaulted plaster ceiling. A 1960 renovation covered much of the original artwork. In 1989 the cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places. After the diocese moved to a new worship space in 1990, the 1912 building served briefly as headquarters for the Care and Share social-service agency and was acquired in 1996 by the Skyline Preservation Foundation, which is working to preserve it. The second (current) Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, dedicated September 25, 1990, was built on former Mount Saint Benedict property and continues as the bishop's seat. In October 2025 Bishop Cozzens celebrated Mass there to open the beatification cause of Servant of God Sister Annella Zervas, OSB.
Bishops Emeritus
Two bishops emeritus remain linked to the Diocese of Crookston: Bishop Victor H. Balke (sixth bishop, 1976–2007, retired) and Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner (seventh bishop, 2007–2021, resignation accepted under Vos estis lux mundi). Both have their names preserved on the diocesan website and in Catholic directories.
Diocesan Statistics at a Glance
Most recent published figures (Official Catholic Directory / diocese history): 32,089 Catholics in a total regional population of 259,466; 66 parishes served by 32 diocesan and 3 religious priests; 8 Catholic grade schools and 1 high school; 3 Catholic hospitals and 2 nursing facilities; permanent deacons and women religious (notably the Sisters of Saint Benedict of Mount Saint Benedict) provide essential ministry. The diocese is considered entirely rural in nature.
Diocesan Offices & Staff
The Chancery at 1200 Memorial Drive, Crookston, houses diocesan administration. Key offices include the Office of Administration, Office of Catholic Schools, Office of Missionary Discipleship (youth, marriage/family, faith formation), Safe Environment, Tribunal, Stewardship & Development, the Diocesan Annual Appeal, and Diocesan Communications. The 'Northland Catholic' eNews is delivered every Friday. The pastoral staff includes Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens; deacons and lay directors; parish pastors listed on the school finder page; and the diocesan communications team.
- Office of Administration
- Office of Catholic Schools (LaCosta Potter, Director)
- Office of Missionary Discipleship (Deacon Mark Krejci)
- Safe Environment Office (Jim Remer, Renee Tate)
- Tribunal
- Stewardship & Development / Diocesan Annual Appeal
- Northland Catholic eNews (weekly)
Pastoral Vision & Bishop's Initiatives
Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens has issued a pastoral vision and pastoral letter and convened diocesan 'Planning for Mission' conversations around the theme 'Be On Mission With Us.' He supports the National Eucharistic Revival, the diocesan annual appeal (DAA), and parish renewal. In October 2025 he celebrated a Mass opening the beatification cause of the Benedictine mystic Sister Annella Zervas, OSB (Mount Saint Benedict), drawing renewed attention to the diocese's contemplative heritage.
Religious Communities & Heritage
The Sisters of Saint Benedict of Mount Saint Benedict remain the principal female religious presence in the diocese. Founded as a dependent Duluth foundation and made an independent monastery in Crookston in 1919, the community staffed parishes, schools, hospitals, and migrant-worker programs for decades. Through the Mount Saint Benedict Foundation they continue to be major donors to Catholic schools and other diocesan works. Various orders of religious priests (3 currently serving) supplement the diocesan clergy.
- Sisters of Saint Benedict of Mount Saint Benedict (Crookston, est. 1919)
- Mount Saint Benedict Foundation (major donor to schools)
St. Mary's Mission, Red Lake
Established in 1858 on the Red Lake Reservation to serve the Ojibwe/Chippewa people, St. Mary's Mission is one of the oldest Catholic missions in Minnesota and a major center of Native Catholic life within the diocese. It is administered by the diocese and currently led by Fr. Tom Niehaus as Administrator of the Church, with LaCosta Potter as Administrator of St. Mary's Mission School — one of eight diocesan grade schools. It represents an unbroken 165+ year Catholic presence among the Red Lake Band.
Get Involved
The diocese offers multiple ways to participate: giving to the Diocesan Annual Appeal (DAA), joining parish volunteer programs, attending the annual Diocese of Crookston Youth Conference (DCYC), participating in Marriage Encounter or Natural Family Planning courses, attending Pre-Marriage Retreats at the Pastoral Retreat Center, joining Safe Environment training, supporting Catholic schools, or visiting the diocesan news and events calendar. Parish finder and school finder tools are available on crookston.org; an online giving portal is published for the DAA and Faith for Tomorrow fund.
- Diocesan Annual Appeal
- Faith for Tomorrow / Future with Promise
- Parish Finder & School Finder
- Volunteer and parish council service
- Marriage Encounter & Pre-Marriage Retreats
- Safe Environment training
