About Church of St Maximilian Kolbe ~ St Peter Campus · Delano, Minnesota
The Church of St. Maximilian Kolbe is a Roman Catholic parish in Delano, Minnesota, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, serving as one parish with two campuses: the St. Peter Campus (main church at 217 2nd Street South) hosts all weekend Masses, weddings, and funerals and houses St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy, while the St. Joseph Campus (401 River Street North) is home to a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, daily Mass, the parish offices, and an event center. The parish was formed in 2014 by the merger of the historic German-rooted St. Peter's parish (dating back to 1866) and St. Joseph's parish (founded 1903 by Polish families), with the new name honoring St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Conventual Franciscan martyr of charity at Auschwitz. Its mission is 'letting the Eucharist lead by allowing the love of Christ and the truths of His church to transform our hearts and mind, and inviting others to journey with us.'
- Established
- 1866 (St. Peter's, the older of the two predecessor parishes)
- Patron
- St. Maximilian Kolbe (parish patron); individual campuses are dedicated to St. Peter and St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen M. Piga (Pastor); Fr. Kyle Kowalczyk is also listed as preaching and Fr. Carlos Castilla is named as Parochial Vicar on the parish staff page
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
The parish combines a deep, almost 160-year Catholic heritage in Delano with a vibrant modern sacramental life: weekend Masses in a beautiful 1913 church, daily Mass, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week in the Adoration Chapel, a parish school (St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy, PreK–8) on the St. Peter campus, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, OCIA (becoming Catholic), youth ministry, a Knights of Columbus council, an active parish council, and an annual parish festival. With its two campuses joined as one family in 2014 and named for a modern martyr of charity, the parish welcomes anyone seeking to grow in love of Christ and neighbor.
Mass times at Church of St Maximilian Kolbe ~ St Peter Campus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Peter Campus (Main Church) — Saturday: 4:00 p.m.
- St. Peter Campus (Main Church) — Sunday: 9:30 a.m.
- St. Peter Campus (Main Church) — Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.
- St. Peter Campus (Main Church) — Friday: 9:00 a.m.
- St. Peter Campus (Main Church) — 1st Saturday: 10:00 a.m.
- St. Joseph Campus (Adoration Chapel) — Tuesday: 5:00 p.m.
- St. Joseph Campus (Adoration Chapel) — Thursday: 6:00 a.m.
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration at the St. Joseph Campus Chapel, 401 River Street N — open Sunday 12:00 p.m. through Saturday 4:00 p.m.
- Between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. the elevator entrance is available; outside those hours an entry code is required (call parish office 763-972-2077)
- Hours of Greatest Need: Mondays 12:00 a.m.; Tuesdays 2:00 p.m.; Wednesdays 5:00 a.m.; Saturdays 2:00 p.m.
Parish History
Catholic life in Delano began on the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1866, when a young Fr. John Ireland — later Archbishop of the Archdiocese — followed the sound of singing through the Big Woods and found a small congregation gathered without a priest. That first St. Peter's church was followed by a second in 1874, a school in 1876, and a third and present St. Peter's church in 1913. Polish families formed St. Joseph's in 1903–1904 a half-mile away. The Archdiocese united the two parishes in 1988 and formally merged them into the Church of St. Maximilian Kolbe effective July 1, 2014.
- 1866 — First St. Peter's church founded (Delano's pioneer Catholic community).
- 1874 — Second St. Peter's church built closer to town; parish school follows in 1876.
- 1884 — Polish families build Saint Mary of Czestochowa mission in Franklin Township.
- 1901 — First St. Peter's taken down.
- 1903 (July) — St. Joseph's cornerstone laid.
- 1904 (Jan 1) — St. Joseph's completed.
- 1913 (Nov 9) — Third (and present) St. Peter's dedicated.
- 1988 — Archdiocese unites St. Peter's and St. Joseph's as one parish with two sites.
- 2014 (July 1) — Formal merger creates the Church of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
- 2021 — Parish functions as a single institution with two campuses.
St. Peter Campus — Main Church
The St. Peter Campus at 217 2nd Street South is the parish's main church and the site of all weekend Masses, weddings, and funerals. The present church was dedicated on November 9, 1913, replacing the two earlier St. Peter's churches on the same pioneering site. The campus also houses St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy.
- Address: 217 2nd Street South, Delano, MN 55328
- Weekend Mass: Saturday 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Confessions: Saturday 4:00 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m., Wednesday 8:00 a.m., Friday 9:00 a.m., and 1st Saturday 10:00 a.m.
- Home of St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy (parish school)
St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy (Parish School)
St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy, formerly St. Peter's School, is the parish's PreK–8 Catholic elementary school located on the St. Peter Campus. It is described as mission-minded, prayer-dependent, and family-focused, with small class sizes and a curriculum that forms students spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
- Grades: Preschool through 8th grade (also serves preschool ages 3–5 through 'Faithful Beginnings')
- 2025-2026 K–8 tuition: $5,460 per student; registration fee $150; classroom fee $150
- Preschool half/full-day rates from $1,825 (T/Th) up to $5,950 (5 full days)
- Sibling discounts: $200 (2nd child), $400 (3rd), $600 (4th)
- Tuition assistance available
- School office: (763) 972-2528
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Beyond the parish school, the Church of St. Maximilian Kolbe offers faith formation for children through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — a Montessori-based approach that creates space for the child to encounter God — and OCIA (Order for Christian Initiation for Adults) for adults exploring or completing initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Level 2 onsite catechist training starting Fall 2026
- CGS registration for 2025-26 and 2026-27 child sessions through parish
- OCIA — gradual introduction to the Catholic faith for adults, with the Rescue Project included since 2022; culminates at the Easter Vigil in Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Contact the Discipleship Director at 763-972-2077 for OCIA information
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish staff is led by Pastor Rev. Stephen M. Piga, with Fr. Carlos Castilla serving as Parochial Vicar, and supported by deacons (including Deacon Thomas C. Yondolino), a parish business administrator, an assistant to the pastor, trustees, and a music director. The parish also remembers former pastor Rev. Francis E. (in memoriam) on its staff page, and Fr. Kyle Kowalczyk and Deacon John preach on the official homily podcast.
- Rev. Stephen M. Piga — Pastor
- Fr. Carlos Castilla — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Kyle Kowalczyk — priest (homilist on parish podcast)
- Deacon Thomas C. Yondolino
- Deacon John — homilist on parish podcast
- Rev. Francis E. — In Memoriam (former pastor)
- Assistant to the Pastor: Josephine Micciulla
- Business Administrator: Nisha Maharaj
- Music Director: Mr. Tarcisio Piga (or Pono)
- Trustees: Carol Petro and Bob Zaratin
Parish Life & Ministries
Beyond the sacraments, the parish offers a range of lay-led ministries and gatherings to build community and form missionary disciples: a Parish Council, a Knights of Columbus Council, youth ministry, an annual parish festival, and an online calendar that always supersedes printed schedules.
- Parish Council (active)
- Knights of Columbus Council
- Youth Ministry
- Annual Parish Festival
- Live Google Calendar for up-to-date Mass/service schedule
Who Was St. Maximilian Kolbe?
The parish's patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe, was a Conventual Franciscan priest and martyr of charity. Born Raymond Kolbe in Poland into a working-class family, he joined the Franciscans in 1907, took the name Maximilian, made final vows in 1914, and was ordained in 1918. His father's death that year — hanged by the Russians for fighting for Polish independence — forged his resolve. After witnessing anti-pope Freemason demonstrations in Rome, he founded the Militia Immaculata (Army of Mary) to win conversions through Mary and promoted the faith via amateur radio (he is patron of amateur radio). He founded a monastery in Nagasaki that survived the atomic bomb. During WWII he sheltered refugees, including 2,000 Jews, for which he was arrested in 1941 and sent to Auschwitz. On July 1941, when a prisoner named Franciszek Gajowniczek cried out for his wife and children, Fr. Kolbe volunteered to take his place. He led fellow prisoners in prayer for two weeks of starvation, then was given a lethal injection; he was cremated on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption.
- Patron of amateur radio operators
- Founded the Militia Immaculata (Army of Mary)
- Founded the Nagasaki monastery that survived the atomic bomb
- Died August 14, 1941 at Auschwitz (cremated August 15, the Assumption)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (Confession), Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders (vocations supported through the parish). Weddings and funerals are held at the St. Peter Campus; adult initiation is through the OCIA process culminating at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism — preparation through the parish
- Confirmation — for youth and adults (adults through OCIA at Easter Vigil)
- Eucharist — weekend and daily Masses, plus Adoration
- Reconciliation — see Confession schedule above
- Marriage — at the St. Peter Campus
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish
- Funerals — at the St. Peter Campus
- OCIA — process for non-baptized adults and already-baptized Christians seeking full communion
Podcasts & Online Resources
The parish hosts an official homily podcast (Fr. Kyle Kowalczyk and Deacon John) and recommends the Catholic Sprouts daily podcast for children and families — five-minute episodes covering saints, sacraments, virtues, liturgical seasons, and more.
- Official parish homily podcast on Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com/58799)
- Catholic Sprouts Podcast — daily 5-minute Catholic podcast for kids and families
- Parish Google Calendar — the most up-to-date schedule
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis E. (Roche?)
Listed as 'In Memoriam' on the parish staff directory — a former pastor remembered by the parish