About Church of St. Mark · Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Church of Saint Mark is a Roman Catholic parish nestled in the Merriam Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1889, the parish is best known today for its reverent liturgies, its adoration chapel, and its expansive confession hours. Since 2009 it has been served by Pro Ecclesia Sancta (PES), a Peruvian religious order whose charism centers on holiness, the Sacred Heart, and renewing Catholic family life. The parish welcomes college students, young families, and older adults from across the Twin Cities, and its motto captures the spirit well: "A Strong Family United in Christ."
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- Saint Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Father David Hottinger, PES
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Saint Mark's combines a century-old parish identity with a young, intentionally Catholic culture shaped by Pro Ecclesia Sancta. The parish is recognized across the Twin Cities for reverent liturgies, a perpetual-adoration-style chapel, and exceptionally frequent confession hours — a rare combination for the area. Ministries like Family Faith Formation, Ignite Youth Ministry, OCIA for adults, and Bible study are designed to draw the whole household (college students, young families, and older adults) into the spiritual life of the parish. The parish's motto — "A Strong Family United in Christ" — is lived out through parish-wide events, sacramental preparation for every age, and a still-active preschool serving local families.
Mass times at Church of St. Mark
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
- Tuesday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM (before 10 AM weekday Mass)
- Weekdays (additional times listed): 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (before 10 AM Mass on some days)
Adoration times
- Weekday eucharistic adoration in the adoration chapel (the parish is noted for an active adoration chapel; the full weekly sign-up is at stmark.weadorehim.com)
- Emmaus Parish Holy Hour (second Thursdays of the month)
- Thursday 7:00 PM Parish Holy Hour (suspended during summer — adoration continues in the chapel)
About the Parish
The Church of Saint Mark is a Catholic parish nestled in the Merriam Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Since 1889 the parish has celebrated life in Christ and fellowship with one another in this Twin Cities neighborhood, and today it welcomes college students, young families, and older adults from across the area. The parish's mission — "to live and share Christ's call to holiness" — is carried out through five core values: the centrality of sacramental life, unity as a parish family, reverence for Catholic Tradition, commitment to formation and evangelization, and active service. The parish's well-known motto is "A Strong Family United in Christ."
History
Saint Mark was founded in 1889 after Merriam Park residents approached Archbishop John Ireland during a visit to the local seminary, asking for a parish church of their own. In September 1910, Father William L. Hart organized the George Washington Troop — the first Catholic Boy Scout troop in the United States — making Saint Mark the birthplace of Catholic Scouting. The present Tudor Revival church, designed by John T. Comes, was consecrated August 10, 1919, and is anchored by a striking 150-foot spire visible across the Midway District. In 2009 the parish was entrusted to Pro Ecclesia Sancta, which continues to shape its reverent liturgy, adoration life, and family-oriented mission today.
- Founded 1889 by Archbishop John Ireland
- September 1910: Father William L. Hart founded Boy Scout Troop 'George Washington' — first Catholic troop in the U.S.
- 1911: Father Joseph Corrigan appointed pastor; served 46 years
- 1913: Parish school opened, staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
- August 10, 1919: Present church consecrated
- 2009: Parish entrusted to Pro Ecclesia Sancta
- 2019: K-8 school closed; preschool continues
- June 8, 2023: Father David Hottinger, PES named pastor
Architecture & Building
The Church of Saint Mark was designed by Pittsburgh-based architect John T. Comes in a pared-down Tudor Revival style with English Gothic influences. The building is best known for its six-sided, needle-like spire rising about 150 feet above the sanctuary — a local landmark visible throughout the Midway District. A statue of the Evangelist Saint Mark stands at the front of the church, accompanied by a statue of Christ the Teacher. The tower originally contained a belfry and bells, which were removed during the second half of the 20th century.
- Style: Tudor Revival / English Gothic
- Architect: John T. Comes (Pittsburgh)
- Completed/Consecrated: August 10, 1919
- Spire height: ~150 feet
- Cross atop spire: copper
Catholic Scouting Legacy
Saint Mark's is widely recognized as the birthplace of Catholic Scouting in the United States. In September 1910, Father William L. Hart — then pastor — founded the George Washington Troop, an exclusively parish-based Boy Scout troop. It was not only the first Boy Scout troop in Saint Paul, but also the first parish-based troop in the country and the first Catholic Boy Scout troop in the United States. Father Hart later served as a U.S. Army chaplain in World War I, where he was mentioned in dispatches for heroism at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
Parish Staff & Clergy
Saint Mark is staffed by a pastor, associate pastor, two deacons, a PES sister in faith formation, plus a Music Director, Director of Discipleship, Director of Communications, Business and Facilities Manager, Preschool Director, Pastoral Associate, Liturgy Coordinator, and a Parish Council of elected lay leaders.
- Father David Hottinger, PES — Pastor
- Father Patrick Evans, PES — Associate Pastor, Sacraments and Pastoral Care
- Deacon José Ignacio Rodriguez, PES — Master of Ceremonies
- Deacon Evan Steeves — Ignite Youth Ministry
- Sister Alejandra Escobar, PES — Faith Formation and Ignite Youth Ministry
- Kathrine Handford — Director of Music and Organist
- Kristen Grant — Director of Discipleship
- Kevin Gearns — Director of Communications
- Randy Lehnen — Business and Facilities Manager
- Addie Smith — Preschool Director
- Audrey Koval — Pastoral Associate / Safe Environment Coordinator
- Patricia Hartshorn — Liturgy Coordinator
- Gina Brennan — Administrative Assistant (also Parish Council member)
- Matt Hoffman — Lead Custodian
Parish Council
A Parish Council supports the pastor in the governance and mission of the parish, with members drawn from across the community.
- Michael Duchesne (chair)
- Jared Czaia
- Gina Brennan
- Patrick Shrake
- Anna Romportl
- Jill Parry Schmidt
- Carter Duncan
- Peter Distelzweig
- Barbara Sherf
Pro Ecclesia Sancta
Since 2009 the parish has been served by Pro Ecclesia Sancta ('For the Holy Church'), a religious family founded in Lima, Peru in 1992 by Jesuit Father Pablo Menor. It is recognized by the Church as an 'ecclesial family' with both male and female branches — priests, brothers, and sisters — plus a lay association called the Catholic Advance Movement. PES's spirituality centers on the Sacred Heart, eucharistic adoration, frequent confession, daily prayer, devotion to Mary, and consecration of families. The American formation house for male novices and seminarians is located right at Saint Mark.
- Founded in Lima, Peru in 1992
- Both priests, brothers, sisters, and lay members
- Arrived at Saint Mark in August 2009 at Archbishop Nienstedt's invitation
- First PES sisters' convent outside Peru opened at Saint Mark in 2012
- Spirituality: Sacred Heart, eucharistic adoration, frequent confession
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Family Faith Formation welcomes families with children in kindergarten through 8th grade, including Catholic-school families, public-school families, and homeschooling families. Parents are recognized as the primary educators of the faith and receive formation alongside their children. The K–7 program uses 'Family Formation,' developed right in the Twin Cities; 8th graders prepare for Confirmation through a more in-depth study of the faith.
- Family Faith Formation (K–8), first Wednesdays, October–May, 6:15–7:30 PM
- First Sacraments preparation (Reconciliation and Communion, 2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation (8th grade)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (at the preschool, Montessori-based)
- Contact: [email protected]
IGNITE Youth Ministries
IGNITE Youth Ministries is the parish's middle- and high-school program. Its mission is to light the fire of faith in young people, help them form a deeper relationship with the Church, and give them the formation, tools, and community to embrace the Catholic identity and walk with Christ daily. Youth Ministry is led in part by Sister Alejandra Escobar, PES, alongside Deacon Evan Steeves.
- Middle school and high school programming
- Led by PES sisters and a deacon
- Contact: [email protected]
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
OCIA Encounter (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is the parish's adult formation process for the unbaptized, Christians baptized in another faith, and Catholics seeking Eucharist or Confirmation. Sessions combine talks from faculty at the University of St. Thomas and the Saint Paul Seminary, Catholic media videos, field trips, and small-group discussion. Sessions are mostly Tuesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with special monthly events.
- Five OCIA stages: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Preparation, Initiation, Mystagogy & Beyond
- Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
- Special field-trip sessions (e.g. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Cathedral of Saint Paul)
- Inquiry form available via the parish website
Adult Faith & Apologetics
The parish runs an active Christian Initiation Ministry that welcomes non-Catholics and the curious — exemplified by the 'Seven Big Questions About God' apologetics series held on Tuesday evenings in the Community Room. Bible study and ongoing discipleship opportunities round out adult formation.
- 'Seven Big Questions About God' series (Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM, Community Room)
- Bible study courses
- Director of Discipleship: Kristen Grant ([email protected])
- Retreats and seminars on Catholic social teaching and history
Saint Mark's Preschool
Saint Mark's Preschool is housed in the historic school building at 1983 Dayton Avenue and continues to serve local families today. The program includes Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori approach that emphasizes quiet, hands-on learning and meaningful play.
- Location: 1983 Dayton Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104
- Phone: (651) 644-5030
- Features Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori)
- Open to children enrolled elsewhere
Pastoral Care & Contact
The parish offers a Pastoral Emergency Line for after-hours sacramental needs such as anointing of the sick. Parish Center office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – noon; the office is closed Fridays during summer (between the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and the Labor Day following).
- Pastoral Emergency Line: (651) 354-9411
- Parish Center Phone: (651) 645-5717
- Fax: (651) 644-0011
- Victim/Survivor Assistance: (651) 291-4497
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William L. Hartcirca 1910
Founded the George Washington Troop Boy Scouts in September 1910 — first Catholic Boy Scout troop in the United States. Later served as a U.S. Army chaplain in World War I, mentioned in dispatches for heroism at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
- Father Joseph Corrigan1911–1957 (approx.)
Appointed pastor in 1911 and served Saint Mark for forty-six years. Oversaw the opening of the parish school in 1913 and the construction/consecration of the present church in 1919.
- Father Humberto Palomino, PESpre-2023
Pro Ecclesia Sancta pastor; arrived in August 2009 as one of the first PES members to the parish. Reassigned in June 2023 after Father Hottinger's appointment as pastor.
- Father David Hottinger, PESJune 8, 2023 – present
Assigned as pastor effective June 8, 2023; previously served as parochial vicar of Saint Mark.