About Guardian Angels Catholic Church · Chaska, Minnesota
Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Chaska, Minnesota is a historic parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis that can trace its roots to an 1842 Dakota mission established by Fr. Augustin Ravoux at the invitation of explorer Jean Baptiste Faribault. The current parish community, located on West 2nd Street in downtown Chaska, is bilingual (English and Spanish) and serves a growing mix of suburban and rural families with a significant Latino population. The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday reconciliation, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and teens, and a wide network of outreach ministries through parish groups like the Knights of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella. Led since July 2020 by Father Tony VanderLoop, with Deacons John Cleveland and Bob Burns, Guardian Angels lives out its mission 'to reach out from the Altar of Christ to educate, serve, and evangelize.'
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- The Guardian Angels (named when a parishioner's two-year-old daughter chose the picture of the guardian angel from images of saints)
- Rector
- Father Tony VanderLoop
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Guardian Angels welcomes newcomers into a traditional, small-town Catholic parish with deep roots in the Chaska community dating back to 1842, while actively reaching out to a growing and diversifying suburban population. The parish offers Mass, sacraments, and family faith formation in both English and Spanish, with bilingual staff and a dedicated Latino Ministry Coordinator. Daily and Sunday Mass, easy Saturday confessions, extended Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, a full faith-formation program, and a wide range of service and fellowship organizations—from the Knights of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella to Loaves and Fishes and a partner food shelf—make it easy to plug in. Whether you're drawn to reverent liturgy, bilingual community life, or simply feeding your own faith while helping neighbors in Eastern Carver County, Guardian Angels provides a clear path to belong.
Mass times at Guardian Angels Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
- By appointment with Father Tony VanderLoop at (952) 679-9415
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Our History
Guardian Angels traces its roots to 1842, when explorer Jean Baptiste Faribault invited Fr. Augustin Ravoux to establish a mission among the Dakota in what would become Chaska. The Benedictine Fathers, visiting German communities along the Minnesota River through the 1850s, decided in 1858 that Chaska was large enough for its own church; the first simple brick church was completed in 1860 and named Guardian Angels after a parishioner's two-year-old daughter chose the picture of the Guardian Angel from images of saints. The parish built a larger church on a new site in 1885 — a brick structure with a 162-foot steeple and 39-foot ceiling — but on October 7, 1902, an early morning fire destroyed the building and toppled the steeple. Miraculously, a picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help blessed by Pope Pius IX in 1871 survived, and the church was rebuilt within a year into the building still in use today. The Franciscan Fathers and Brothers led the parish from 1878 until 1995, when diocesan priests took over; Father Tony VanderLoop was assigned as pastor in July 2020.
- 1842 – Fr. Augustin Ravoux mission among the Dakota
- 1860 – First brick church completed
- 1869 – Parish school established
- 1878 – Franciscans assume leadership
- 1885 – Present church site construction begins (162-foot steeple)
- 1902 (Oct. 7) – Fire destroys church; Our Lady of Perpetual Help picture survives
- 1923 – High school added
- 1973 – High school closes
- 1992 – Sisters of Christian Charity depart
- 1995 – Franciscan Fathers and Brothers depart
- 2020 (July) – Father Tony VanderLoop assigned as pastor
- 2021 – Guardian Angels Catholic School closes
Mission, Welcome and Parish Identity
Guardian Angels exists 'to reach out from the Altar of Christ to educate, serve, and evangelize.' The parish describes itself as a traditional, small-town Catholic community whose roots run deep, while also building bridges of faith to the growing suburban and Latino population around Chaska. Mass, the sacraments, and family faith formation are offered in both English and Spanish. Registration as a parishioner is open and can be completed online, by paper form from the parish office (215 West 2nd Street, Chaska, MN 55318), or by scanning forms to [email protected].
- Mission: reach out from the Altar of Christ to educate, serve, and evangelize
- Bilingual parish life in English and Spanish
- Small-town Catholic sensibility; welcomes newcomers from suburban and rural agricultural areas
Faith Formation for Children and Teens
The Faith Formation program welcomes families with children and teens to learn and grow in the Catholic faith. Family Formation classes meet Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM, running roughly from late September through late April, and include monthly family nights and Sunday catechesis after the 9:00 AM Mass so parents can learn alongside their children. The program uses the Augustine Institute's Word of Life series and Ascension Press's Chosen for Confirmation preparation.
- Family Formation (grades 1–8) on Wednesdays, 6:30–7:45 PM
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation (grade 2 and up, with retreats)
- Confirmation: two-year program for grades 9–12, using Ascension Press 'Chosen'
- Monthly family nights and Sunday catechesis after 9:00 AM Mass
- Coordinator of Faith Formation: Danielle Campos ([email protected])
- Latino Ministry Coordinator: Viviana Sotro ([email protected])
Music and Liturgy
Brittany Kaufmann serves as Director of Music and Liturgy, coordinating music ministries that support both English and Spanish Masses. The parish invites parishioners to serve in liturgical roles — lector, sacristan, usher, altar server, and choir — and welcomes other musicians who wish to share their gifts.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Brittany Kaufmann (763) 355-6905
- Adult Choir
- Liturgical ministries: Lector, Sacristan, Usher, Altar Server
- Open invitation to share musical talent
Community and Outreach
Guardian Angels has an active network of parish groups and outreach ministries serving both parish members and the wider Eastern Carver County community. Several programs partner with neighboring Catholic and ecumenical organizations.
- Knights of Columbus Council 9141 (kofc9141.mnknights.org)
- Daughters of Isabella Circle #888
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Loaves and Fishes meal service (fifth Thursday at St. Mark's, Shakopee)
- Love INC of Eastern Carver County partnership (952-448-3261)
- Bountiful Basket Food Shelf (1600 Bavaria Rd, Chaska; 952-556-0244)
- Meals on Wheels (Carver County; 952-361-5075)
- Pastoral Care for the Homebound
- Sunday Eucharist for the Homebound
- Giving Tree (Christmas gifts for those in need)
- Coffee & Donuts after 8 & 10 a.m. Sunday Mass
Parish School (closed)
Guardian Angels Catholic School, a pre-K to grade 8 private school affiliated with the parish and part of School District 112, was led most recently by Principal Charles Briscoe. After serving Chaska families for more than 150 years — tracing back to 1869 — the school closed at the end of the 2021 school year, although the parish preschool continues under Joe Koktan.
- School traced to 1869 with the Sisters of Christian Charity
- High school operated 1923–1973
- Catholic School closed end of school year 2021
- Preschool continues under Joe Koktan (Preschool Director and Lead Teacher)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and offers preparation programs for each life-stage sacrament. The Eucharist is described as the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Couples preparing for marriage must pre-register at least six months in advance and complete a marriage preparation course plus an Engaged Encounter weekend retreat. Reconciliation is offered twice on Saturdays and by appointment. Information on all sacraments can be obtained by calling the parish office at (952) 227-4000 or emailing [email protected].
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation (Saturdays and by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick (call the parish office)
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation (two-year program)
- Marriage – 6-month advance pre-registration, marriage prep course, and Engaged Encounter
- Funeral ministry
Clergy and Staff
The parish is served by Father Tony VanderLoop (pastor), two deacons, and a bilingual staff team supporting faith formation, liturgy, music, business administration, Latino ministry, and building maintenance.
- Father Tony VanderLoop – Pastor (952) 679-9415
- Deacon John Cleveland
- Deacon Bob Burns (ordained December 9, 2023)
- Beth Buesgens – Business Administrator (952) 227-4001
- Brittany Kaufmann – Director of Music and Liturgy (763) 355-6905
- Danielle Campos – Director of Faith Formation (763) 355-6904
- Viviana Sotro – Latino Ministry Coordinator (952) 227-4010
- Joe Koktan – Preschool Director and Lead Teacher
- Tayna Alcoser – Assistant Teacher
- Jeralyn Oh Pastelin – Classroom Aide
- Alberto Santiago – Maintenance Engineer
Visit, Register, and Contact
Visitors and new parishioners are warmly welcomed. Registration can be done online, by paper form (available in the church kiosks or at the parish office), by mail to 215 West 2nd Street, Chaska, MN 55318, or by email to [email protected]. The main parish office can be reached at (952) 227-4000 (fax (952) 227-4050). Newcomers can also join Coffee & Donuts after Sunday Mass or sign up online to volunteer in a wide range of parish ministries.
- Parish office: (952) 227-4000
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 215 West 2nd Street, Chaska, MN 55318
- Fax: (952) 227-4050
- Registration available online or on paper
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Benedictine Fathers1858–c. 1878
Made frequent visits through the 1850s and oversaw construction of the first church in 1860
- Franciscan Fathers and Brothers1878–1995
Shepherded the parish for more than 115 years
- Diocesan priests of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis1995–present
Assumed leadership after the Franciscans' departure
- Father Tony VanderLoop2020–present
Assigned to Guardian Angels in July 2020