About Church of St. Bernard · Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Church of Saint Bernard is a Roman Catholic parish serving the diverse North End neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1890 to minister to German, Austrian, and Hungarian immigrants, the parish has grown into a richly multicultural community whose worshippers today come from places as varied as Burma (Karen and Karenni families), Africa, Mexico, and Latin America, alongside descendants of its founding German flock. The parish is housed in a striking 1905-1914 brick church designed by architect John Jager — a rare combination of Prairie School and Art Nouveau styling, and one of the first steel-framed buildings in St. Paul — that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Liturgies are offered in English and Spanish, the parish runs an active Neocatechumenal Way, and it remains a vital religious and social anchor for the neighborhood.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- Saint Bernard (of Clairvaux)
- Rector
- Father Emanuel Romero
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Bernard is a parish where nearly every pew reflects a different corner of the world — descendants of German founders worship alongside Karen and Karenni Christians from Burma, African families, and Mexican and other Latino parishioners — making Sunday Mass a remarkable taste of the universal Church. The parish keeps a robust sacramental life, with daily Mass, a Saturday vigil, a Spanish Mass each Sunday, an active Neocatechumenal Way, perpetual-style Friday adoration, and family-friendly faith formation for children. Add in a building that is itself a landmark — one of the earliest steel-framed structures in St. Paul — and the result is a deeply rooted North End community that welcomes anyone looking for an active, diverse Catholic home.
Mass times at Church of St. Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Our Story: From 1890 to Today
Saint Bernard's was established in 1890 to minister to German-speaking families who had previously traveled long distances to reach Assumption Catholic Church. The parish first gathered in a private home on Jessamine Street, then built a modest church at Rose and Albemarle before commissioning the present landmark building in 1905. Successive generations of German, Austrian, and Hungarian families shaped the parish, while waves of newcomers — Burmese (Karen and Karenni) Christians, African families, and Mexican and other Latino immigrants — have made St. Bernard their spiritual home over the last several decades. The parish was administered by the Benedictine Fathers until 1995.
- Founded 1890 by immigrant German families from Assumption parish
- Cornerstone of the present church laid 1905
- Consecrated January 1, 1907 by Archbishop John Ireland
- Building fully completed 1914; cost $102,000; contractor George J. Grant
- Benedictine administration ended 1995
Architecture and the Historic Church Building
Architect John Jager (1871–1959), a Slovenia-born emigre who studied under Otto Wagner in Vienna, designed the present church in a striking combination of the Prairie School and Art Nouveau styles. Built of brick and one of the first steel-framed buildings in Saint Paul, the church spans its 1,000-seat interior without support columns. Two towers rise roughly 130 feet, with inward-bowing walls forming the bases of the octagonal belfries. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
- Architect: John Jager; Contractor: George J. Grant
- Prairie School + Art Nouveau styling
- Seating capacity of approximately 1,000
- Twin towers ~130 feet tall with octagonal belfries
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1983 (NRHP #83000927)
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
St. Bernard's offers a full week of Masses, including a Saturday anticipatory Mass in English, a Neocatechumenate Mass in the Grade School building, daily morning Mass Monday through Saturday, and three Sunday Masses (two in English at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, and one in Spanish at 12:30 PM).
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Saturday at 8:30 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM (English); 7:00 PM (Neocatechumenate, Grade School building)
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM (English), 10:30 AM (English), 12:30 PM (Spanish)
Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Father Emanuel Romero as Pastor, with Father Doss Raji and Father Joseph Kureh serving as Associate Priests. A team of lay staff keeps parish operations, music, and facilities running.
- Pastor: Father Emanuel Romero
- Associate Priest: Father Doss Raji (also directs Baptism preparation — 651-558-9301)
- Associate Priest: Father Joseph Kureh
- Music Director: Patrice Finstad
- Cantor: Anna Gottwalt
- Spanish Music Director: Emanuel Romero
- Parish Business Administrator: Ryan Heim
- Maintenance Manager: John Van Cura
- Secretary: Claire Leuer (651-488-6733)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish cultivates a culture of discipleship and evangelization through Sunday classes, sacramental preparation, retreats, Bible studies for young adults and adults, and adult initiation through RCIA. Younger children are served by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, while students in grades 4–7 attend Sunday faith formation in English and Spanish in the grade school basement from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The annual fee for religious-education classes is $100 per child or teen.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (younger ages, twice on Sunday mornings)
- Sunday faith formation for Grades 4–7, English and Spanish
- RCIA for adults
- Bible studies for young adults and adults
- Sacramental preparation, including First Reconciliation
- Parish retreats for children and youth
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way at St. Bernard's is a post-baptismal catechumenate — an itinerary of Catholic formation recognized by Saint Pope John Paul II as suited to contemporary society. Two Neocatechumenal communities currently meet in the parish, building Christian life on the tripod of Word, Liturgy, and Community.
- 1st Community: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM (contact: Nick & Theresa Thompson, 651-283-0108)
- 2nd Community: Tuesdays at 7:00 PM (contact: Mario & Carmen, 949-247-9833)
- Saturday Neocatechumenate Mass: 7:00 PM in the Grade School Building
Sacraments: Baptism and Marriage
The parish offers standard Catholic sacramental preparation for infant baptism, older-child baptism through RCIA, marriage, and other rites. Couples planning a wedding are asked to contact the Parish Office at least six months before the desired date, while infant baptisms are scheduled for the 4th Saturday of each month at noon. All baptism arrangements are made through Father Doss.
- Infant Baptism: 4th Saturday of the month at 12:00 PM (Fr. Doss, 651-558-9301)
- Older-Child Baptism & RCIA: contact Fr. Doss (651-558-9301)
- Marriage: contact Parish Office at least 6 months in advance; pre-nuptial interview and marriage preparation classes required (651-488-6733)
Music and Liturgy
Music is central to St. Bernard's worship life and reflects the parish's multicultural character. English and Spanish choirs sing under dedicated directors, and the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass in particular features prayers and music from the parish's Karen and Karenni brothers and sisters — an experience many visitors describe as vibrant and full of life.
- Music Director: Patrice Finstad
- Cantor: Anna Gottwalt
- Spanish Music Director: Emanuel Romero
- Featured Sunday liturgy at 10:30 AM including Karen/Karenni music
Location and Parish Identity
St. Bernard's is rooted in the North End of Saint Paul and serves a richly diverse community shaped by generations of immigration. The parish's mission is to 'learn, love and live the challenging Word of Jesus Christ,' offering parishioners and neighbors direction and support at every phase of their faith journey. Children are especially welcome — their voices and laughter are described by the parish itself as part of what makes St. Bernard's such a lively place of worship.
- North End neighborhood of Saint Paul, MN
- Founded to serve German immigrants in the late 1800s
- Modern congregation drawn from Burma, Africa, Mexico, and many other countries
- Children especially welcomed at liturgies
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend A. Ogulin1890–1912
Served as the priest of St. Bernard's from its founding in 1890 until his 1912 transfer to St. Agnes Church in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood.