About Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist · Rochester, Minnesota
The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in downtown Rochester, Minnesota, and the oldest Catholic church in the city, founded in 1863 by Father James Morris. On June 24, 2018, the parish was elevated to a co-cathedral alongside the Cathedral of Sacred Heart in Winona, which led to the renaming of the Diocese of Winona as the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The parish serves jointly as the chief church of the diocese under Bishop Robert Barron and ministers to a downtown congregation as well as to patients and visitors from the neighboring Mayo Clinic, connected by the city's pedestrian subway. Today it offers daily and Sunday Mass, formation for children and adults, the OCIA process, youth programs, music and liturgy, and outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Bob Horihan (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in the heart of downtown Rochester — Saturday Vigil and three Sunday Masses, a daily 12:10 p.m. Mass in the chapel with a communal rosary beforehand, weekly confession, and Friday Eucharistic Adoration. Members grow in faith through robust K-8 faith formation, OCIA for those becoming Catholic, adult Bible studies, young adult ministry, and youth programs including Vacation Bible School, the Steubenville Youth Conference, and Camp Summit. Outreach is lived through the parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference, which offers person-to-person service to those in need, while its unique subway connection to the Mayo Clinic campus extends a warm welcome to patients, caregivers, and visitors from across the world.
Mass times at Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:15 AM – 11:50 AM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
History of the Co-Cathedral
St. John the Evangelist parish traces its origin to 1863, when Father James Morris established the first Catholic church in Rochester on the very block where the co-cathedral still stands. The first church was dedicated on December 1, 1872, and after nearly thirty years of growth a new cornerstone was laid on October 12, 1900. The parish opened three schools on the same block in 1913 — a grade school, Saint John High School for girls, and Heffron High School for boys — reflecting a deep early commitment to Catholic education.
- 1863: First Catholic church in Rochester founded by Father James Morris
- 1872: First church building dedicated December 1
- 1900: New cornerstone laid October 12
- 1913: Grade school, St. John High School for girls, and Heffron High School for boys open on the parish block
The 1956 Church Building
During the 1950s plans were drawn up to replace the aging church, and the present building was constructed in 1956 of Mankato stone in a contemporary, dignified style with straight lines and seating for about 1,200. Father Joseph Mountain celebrated the first Mass in the new church on January 27, 1957, at 6 a.m. Rev. Msgr. Max M. Satory became pastor on February 27, 1964 — the parish's 100th anniversary — and the centennial was marked with an open house, parish census, and a special Thanksgiving Day Mass.
- Mankato stone, contemporary style, seating ~1,200
- First Mass: January 27, 1957 at 6 a.m. by Father Joseph Mountain
- Msgr. Max M. Satory became pastor Feb 27, 1964 (100th anniversary)
The 2002 Renovation
Reverend Monsignor Gerald Mahon, pastor since 1995, oversaw a major renovation that culminated in the dedication of the new worship space on May 19, 2002 — the Feast of Pentecost — under Bishop Bernard J. Harrington. The interior was turned 180 degrees; a chapel was added on the 4th Avenue side; the former school gym became a gathering space and fellowship area; a permanent baptismal font, devotional space, and peace garden were introduced; and the parish connected to Rochester's downtown pedestrian subway, giving patients and caregivers from the Mayo Medical Center direct access. During the project year the parish worshipped in the new gymnasium, setting up and taking down 200 chairs each weekend.
- Interior turned 180 degrees
- New chapel on the 4th Avenue side for church members and Mayo Clinic visitors
- Former school gym converted to gathering space and fellowship area
- Permanent baptismal font, devotional space, and peace garden added
- Subway connection to Mayo Clinic campus buildings
Elevation to Co-Cathedral (2018)
In 2015 an initial inquiry was sent to the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, asking for the designation of a co-cathedral in Rochester. A diocesan planning committee determined that St. John the Evangelist — the oldest parish in the city and close to Mayo Clinic, the arts, culture, media, and industry — should be elevated. On June 24, 2018, Bishop John M. Quinn celebrated the Mass of Elevation, with Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev. Christophe Pierre and Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda concelebrating. The diocese was simultaneously renamed the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, and Bishop Quinn blessed his new cathedra — the bishop's chair.
- 2015 inquiry sent to Congregation for Bishops
- June 24, 2018: Mass of Elevation celebrated by Bishop Quinn
- Diocese renamed from Diocese of Winona to Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Sesquicentennial Celebration (2013)
The parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2013. The final celebration was a November 9, 2013 concert premiering 'What I Have Seen and Heard,' an original composition by Director of Liturgy and Music Sebastian Modarelli, tracing the journey of the church's patron saint through the Gospel. Bishop John Quinn offered a message of gratitude and thanksgiving for all who had a role in the parish's history.
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) group meets every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, led by Deacon Randy Horlocker (ext. 4501). OCIA respects each person's journey and discernment, with commitment made in stages and celebrated through rituals throughout the year; people not yet baptized are generally received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. No permanent commitment is required to begin exploring.
- Thursdays 6:30–8:00 PM with Deacon Randy Horlocker
- Open to anyone with any level of interest in the Church
Children, Youth & Family Formation
Faith formation for children runs from K through 8th grade. Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist is open to any student in grades 2–8 who has not yet received these sacraments, with monthly gatherings with a parent or godparent ($50 per child, fee waived for those also attending Faith Formation/CGS). Youth programming includes Vacation Bible School (ages 3 through entering 6th grade), the Steubenville Youth Conference at the Mayo Civic Center, and Camp Summit, an overnight Catholic adventure camp in Lanesboro for middle schoolers.
- K-8 Faith Formation
- Sacramental Preparation (grades 2–8)
- Vacation Bible School
- Steubenville Youth Conference
- Camp Summit (grades 6–8, Lanesboro, MN)
Adult Formation & Young Adults
Adult Formation at the Co-Cathedral invites people into an ongoing relationship with Jesus, nourishes them in the Church's teaching, and equips them to share God's love in ministry and service. Opportunities include Bible studies (meeting both virtually and in person) and other faith studies, with new topics posted on the parish calendar. Young adults are encouraged to take leadership initiative, participate in ministry, attend Eucharistic Adoration, and join faith studies.
- Adult Bible Studies
- Faith studies on rotating topics
- Young Adult ministry and gatherings
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at the Co-Cathedral is led by Sebastian Modarelli, Director of Music & Liturgy, who also composed the original work 'What I Have Seen and Heard,' premiered at the 2013 sesquicentennial. The renovated sanctuary provides a dedicated music space to support full and prayerful liturgical celebrations.
- Sebastian Modarelli, Director of Music & Liturgy
- Composer of 'What I Have Seen and Heard' (2013 premiere)
Outreach: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The parish hosts the SVdP – St. John Conference, part of the international Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Members grow spiritually through person-to-person service to neighbors in need, offering intervention, consultation, and direct material or financial help while safeguarding confidentiality and dignity. The conference also advocates for those who are defenseless or voiceless. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:00–8:00 PM in the conference room; new volunteers and assistance requests are welcomed.
- First Tuesday of the month, 7–8 PM in the conference room
- SVdP – St John Conference is a 501(c)(3); donations: 11 4th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Parish Staff & Clergy
The Co-Cathedral is led by Rector Rev. Bob Horihan, with Deacon Randy Horlocker assisting, and is part of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester under Bishop Robert Barron. Reverend Monsignor Gerald Mahon serves as Pastor since 1995. The staff includes Michelle Budraka (Administrator), Sebastian Modarelli (Director of Music & Liturgy), Mary Vlazny (Director of Formation – Adults & Communications), Cindy Paz (Director of Formation – Confirmation & Baptism Prep), Megan Rodriguez (Director of Formation – K-8 / Youth), and a Finance Director.
- Rev. Bob Horihan, Rector
- Deacon Randy Horlocker
- Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon, Pastor
- Bishop Robert Barron, Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Contact & Hours
The parish is located at 11 Fourth Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902, phone (507) 288-7372. Parish Center hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–1:00 PM; the center is closed Saturday and Sunday. Deacon Randy Horlocker can be reached at extension 4501.
- Parish Center: Mon–Thu 8 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8 AM–1:00 PM; Sat–Sun closed
- Deacon Randy: ext. 4501
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Morris1863–
Founder of the first Catholic church in Rochester, established on the block where the co-cathedral stands today.
- Father Joseph Mountain1957
Celebrated the first Mass in the new 1956 church on January 27, 1957, at 6 a.m.
- Rev. Msgr. Max M. Satoryfrom Feb 27, 1964
Became pastor on the parish's 100th anniversary; oversaw centennial observances including an open house and Thanksgiving Mass.
- Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon1995–present (Pastor)
Oversaw the 2002 major renovation that turned the interior 180 degrees and added the chapel, gathering space, peace garden, and subway link to Mayo.
- Rev. Bob HorihanCurrent
Current Rector of the Co-Cathedral.