About Church of St. Paul · Ham Lake, Minnesota
Church of Saint Paul is a Spirit-filled Catholic parish in Ham Lake, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Established in 1981 under founding pastor Fr. Timothy Nolan and worshipping today in a striking pyramid-shaped stone-and-cedar church completed in 1984, the parish is known for its lively music and praise, family-centered faith formation, and a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel that livestreams around the clock. Today led by Fr. Jim Livingston with Deacon Bill Schroeder, the parish serves roughly 1,100 registered households drawn from across the Twin Cities metro and is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- Saint Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. James (Jim) Livingston
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Church of Saint Paul is a family-friendly, evangelistic parish living out the teachings of Vatican II, with approximately 1,100 active households drawn from across the Twin Cities metro. It offers robust, family-oriented formation programs that equip parents to teach their children, a dynamic youth ministry reaching over 300 young people, retreats, Bible study, an active mission outreach, and renewed liturgies that model reverence in a contemporary style. With perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, livestreamed daily Mass, and a vibrant music and worship tradition, it is a place where the community gathers as family to grow closer to Jesus Christ.
Mass times at Church of St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Back of Adoration Chapel)
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (Back of Adoration Chapel)
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Back of Adoration Chapel)
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Back of Adoration Chapel)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel (livestreamed)
- Friday 9:00 AM Mass celebrated in the Main Church & Livestream
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 AM / 6:00 PM daily Mass celebrated in the Adoration Chapel & Livestream
Parish History & Mission
St. Paul Catholic Church in Ham Lake was established in 1981 when Fr. Timothy Nolan was appointed the founding pastor. The first Masses were celebrated at the Bunker Hills Activity Center until the new church was completed in 1984. A majestic pyramid-shaped church of stone and cedar with seating for 1,000, St. Paul was built largely with volunteer labor, and the experience of working side by side generated a unique sense of family and Christian community. A large November 1994 addition brought a Family Activity Center, a 200-seat Blessed Sacrament Chapel, a perpetual adoration chapel, a nursery, and offices.
- Founded: 1981
- First church building completed: 1984
- Major addition completed: November 1994
- Approximately 1,100 active households currently registered
Mission Statement
The parish states its mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by bringing people into a loving, personal relationship with God, living in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in communion with the Catholic Church. The parish describes itself as a family-friendly, evangelistic community living out the teachings of Vatican II, with a strong tradition of dedication to God's Word, joyful and reverent celebration of the sacraments, generous stewardship, intentional discipleship, and fellowship opportunities for all ages.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by its pastor and supported by a deacon, parish staff, and program coordinators overseeing faith formation, youth ministry, music, and administration.
- Rev. James (Jim) Livingston — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Bill Schroeder — Deacon (Small Groups; 763-703-3766; [email protected])
- Judy Busch — Administrative Assistant (763-757-6910)
- Joy Carlson — Youth Ministry ([email protected]; 763-777-8600)
- Jena Kolles — Family Formation & First Sacraments (763-777-8602)
- Becky Brounstein — First Sacraments
- Liz Lockhart — Bible Study
- Deb N. — General office contact ([email protected])
Faith Formation for Children
Church of Saint Paul's family formation model equips parents as the primary educators of their children. The K-6 Family Formation program is paired with weekly at-home lessons and monthly gatherings at the parish. A separate preschool track, Little Lambs, introduces ages 3-4 to the faith through music, stories, and crafts during 8:30 or 10:30 Sunday Mass, with home lessons that follow the same topics as the K-6 program. There is no cost to participate in Little Lambs.
- Little Lambs Preschool (Ages 3-4) – meets monthly during Mass
- Family Formation (Grades K-6) – at-home lessons plus monthly parish gathering
- First Sacraments Preparation – Reconciliation Retreat Jan. 3 or 4, 2026; First Reconciliation Jan. 10, 2026; First Communion Masses April 25 or 26, 2026
- Contact: Jena Kolles, (763) 777-8602
Youth Ministry (Grades 7–12)
The youth ministry challenges young people to pursue a life of Spirit-filled holiness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ within the Catholic community. Junior High (Grades 7-8) meets Monday nights from 7:00–8:30 PM, October through May; Senior High (Grades 9-12) meets Wednesday nights from 7:00–8:30 PM. Each evening combines small-group discussion, praise and worship, community building, games, teaching, and prayer. Confirmation preparation begins in 8th grade (Mondays) and continues in 9th grade (Wednesdays), with retreats, sponsor activities, and small-group formation. PORT serves post-Confirmation teens, and Peer Ministry brings together Confirmed teens and adults for monthly service and leadership formation.
- Junior High Youth Group: Mondays 7:00–8:30 PM, Oct–May
- Senior High Youth Group: Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM, Oct–May
- Confirmation: 8th Grade Mondays, 9th Grade Wednesdays (Oct–April)
- PORT: Post-Confirmation group, Grades 10-12
- Peer Ministry: first Thursday of each month, 5:30–8:30 PM
- Other programs: American Heritage Girls, Troops of Saint George, Lifeline, Home Education Ministry, Living Stations (Lent), Youth Worship Music
- Contact: Joy Carlson, [email protected] or (763) 777-8600
Adult Formation & Small Groups
Adults at Church of Saint Paul have multiple ways to grow in faith together. A seasonal Bible Study uses workbooks, video presentations, and small-group discussion; the Spring 2026 session began January 6, 2026, covering 'The Letter of James' from Tan Books by Dr. Scott Hahn and Mark Shea with videos by Fr. Scott Courtney. Small Groups are coordinated by Deacon Bill Schroeder and meet in person at the parish or virtually. The Unified Young Adults Group supports young adults in their 20s-30s, and Men of Saint Paul is a men's fellowship ministry.
- Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10 AM or 7 PM in person; 2 PM virtual session (Spring 2026: 'The Letter of James')
- Small Groups – contact Deacon Bill Schroeder, 763-703-3766
- Unified Young Adults Group
- Men of Saint Paul
- Registration fee for Bible Study: $30 per individual
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Christian initiation and walks with couples and families through marriage and other rites. First Sacraments preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a part of the Family Formation program; students work together with their parents at home throughout the month, then gather at the parish for lessons and reception practice. Becoming Catholic (OCIA/RCIA) is offered for adults and children seeking full communion with the Church.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
- Confirmation (8th–9th grade preparation)
- Eucharist (daily, weekend, and Holy Day Masses)
- Reconciliation / Confession (regular weekly schedule plus seasonal Penance Services)
- Matrimony (Marriage preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
Outreach & Community
In addition to its formation programs, the parish supports an active mission outreach and offers practical support to parishioners and neighbors. A parish Prayer Line connects those in need with intercessory prayer, and the parish publishes regular communications through Flocknote, its website, and a weekly bulletin. The Family Activity Center, added in 1994, hosts fellowship and ministry events for all ages.
- Prayer Line: 763-757-4379
- Active mission outreach
- Fellowship opportunities for all ages
- Family Activity Center (added 1994)
- Weekly bulletin and Flocknote communications
Visiting & Contact
The Church of Saint Paul is located 1/4 mile east of Highway 65 (Central Avenue) on Bunker Lake Boulevard NE in Ham Lake, Minnesota. Visitors are warmly welcomed — the parish asks those who are new to reach out via the parish office, follow the parish on Facebook and Instagram (@cosphamlake), or sign up for Flocknote for ongoing updates.
- Address: 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304
- Parish Office: (763) 757-6910
- Family Formation & Youth: (763) 757-1148
- Prayer Line: (763) 757-4379
- Fax: (763) 757-6920
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: churchofsaintpaul.com
- Facebook & Instagram: @cosphamlake
- Communication platform: Flocknote
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Timothy Nolan1981 (founding)
Appointed by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as the parish's founding pastor in 1981; oversaw the building of the church, completed in 1984.