About Holy Family Catholic Church · Little Falls, Minnesota
Holy Family Catholic Church sits on the northern edge of Little Falls, Minnesota, in Belle Prairie Township, and is the oldest parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud. Its roots reach back to French-Canadian fur traders and missionaries of the 1830s–1850s, and it grew from the mission established by Father Francis Xavier Pierz at Belle Prairie in 1852–1853. The present stone church was built by parishioners between 1877 and 1880, dedicated October 10, 1880, and still serves the community today. In 2023 Holy Family was combined with St. James (Randall), Sacred Heart (Flensburg), St. Stanislaus (Sobieski), and others to form the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Benjamin (Ben) Kociemba (Pastor of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community)
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Cloud
Why belong here
Holy Family is the oldest parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud, a small but living rural French-Canadian Catholic community in Belle Prairie Township just north of Little Falls. Visitors are drawn by its historic stone church (dedicated 1880), its landmark-designated Memorial Garden with a Rosary Walkway and Stations of the Cross from the former Our Lady of the Angels Academy, and a tight-knit parish life that includes weekday and Sunday Mass, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration from 9 AM to 6 PM, faith formation for children through grade 11, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), and an active annual Heritage Festival. Since 2023 the parish shares pastoral staff and ministries with the other five churches of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community, giving parishioners broad access to clergy, youth ministry, and sacramental preparation.
Mass times at Holy Family Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 8:30 AM (regular schedule)
- Lent: Thursday 8:30 AM (per 2025 bulletin)
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Holy Family Catholic Church — Oldest Parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud
Holy Family Catholic Church is located on the northern edge of Little Falls, Minnesota, in Belle Prairie Township. It is the oldest parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud, with French-Canadian roots reaching back to the North American fur-trading era of the 1850s. The parish worships in a historic stone church built by its own founders in 1877–1880 and is today part of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community, which combines six local parishes under shared pastoral staff.
- Oldest parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud
- Located in Belle Prairie Township, north of Little Falls, MN
- Member parish of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community (formed 2023)
Parish History
Catholic worship at Belle Prairie began in 1838 when Father Lafleche of Quebec said Mass there and founded a mission called Lacroix. Father Francis Xavier Pierz arrived in 1852 and in 1853 celebrated Mass in the Martin Bisson home near the Belle Prairie Rapids, organizing what became the first permanent parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud. A log chapel was built in 1855, and in 1872 the French-speaking parish of St. Andrew's was renamed Holy Family. The present stone church was built by parishioners between 1877 and 1880 and dedicated October 10, 1880 by Bishop Seidenbusch. Key milestones include the 1898 incorporation, Father Henri Pellet's 1916 transition to English-language records, the 1982 centennial with a Latin Mass and French hymns, the 2000 Project 2000 renovation, and the 2002 sesquicentennial Mass celebrated by Bishop John Kinney. In 2023 Holy Family was merged into the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community.
- 1838 — Father Lafleche founds the Lacroix mission at Belle Prairie
- 1853 — Father Francis Xavier Pierz organizes the parish; first Mass in the Bisson home
- 1855 — Log chapel built on what is now the parish cemetery
- 1861 — Bisson family donates land for the present church and cemetery; Bishop Thomas L. Grace confirms 30 members
- 1872 — St. Andrew's renamed Holy Family Parish
- 1877–1880 — Present stone church built by parishioners; dedicated Oct. 10, 1880 by Bishop Seidenbusch
- 1898 — Parish incorporated
- 1916 — Fr. Henri Pellet arrives, begins English-language records
- 1982 — Centennial Mass in Latin with French hymns
- 2000 — Project 2000 addition and renovation dedicated by Bishop John Kinney
- 2002 — 150th anniversary Mass celebrated
- 2008 — Little Falls Heritage Preservation Local Landmark Designation
- 2023 — Joined Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community
Missionary Franciscan Sisters & Our Lady of the Angels Academy
In 1872 Elizabeth Hayes, a young English woman, came to the Minnesota frontier as Mother Mary Ignatius of Jesus and in 1873 built a convent and school near the Mississippi at Belle Prairie, founding the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception — the only religious congregation ever founded within the boundaries of the Diocese of St. Cloud. The sisters opened St. Anthony's School on January 1, 1873. After the original convent burned on April 26, 1889, the order eventually returned and Mother Mary Columba Doucet opened Our Lady of the Angels Academy on November 11, 1911. The Franciscan sisters taught at the Academy until 1969; the parish later purchased the property, and the former Academy is today the Riverwood Pines Apartments.
- Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception — only religious congregation founded within the St. Cloud Diocese
- St. Anthony's School opened January 1, 1873
- Original convent burned April 26, 1889
- Our Lady of the Angels Academy opened November 11, 1911 by Mother Mary Columba Doucet
- Academy closed in 1969; building later converted to Riverwood Pines Apartments (2005–2006)
Architecture and the Project 2000 Renovation
The present Holy Family Church was built between 1877 and 1880 by parish volunteers under Father Joseph Buh. Farmers hauled the stone from the Mississippi River rapids; the walls are three feet thick. Original construction included chimneys on each sacristy wall to vent the two church stoves. Project 2000, the church's first major renovation and addition, was completed in 1999–2000 and dedicated on June 3, 2000 by Bishop John Kinney in memory of Father Harold Kost. The work added a 42×40 gathering room at the east end, a 15×40 addition at the west end, an elevator for accessibility, an accessible restroom on the main floor, bell-tower restoration, refinished exterior, new shingles, and resurfaced parking. In 2008 air conditioning was added and the furnace replaced.
- Stone from the Mississippi rapids, three-foot-thick walls
- Original sacristy chimneys for wood stoves
- Project 2000: 42×40 east gathering room, 15×40 west addition, elevator, accessible bathroom
- Bell tower restoration, new roof, resurfaced drive
- 2008: air conditioning and energy-efficient furnace
Holy Family Memorial Garden
Across the street from the church, the Holy Family Memorial Garden combines prayer, history, and natural beauty. Walkers can pray the Rosary along a cement path with granite inlays depicting the Mysteries, completed in 2017 and dedicated along with the new parish hall by Bishop Donald Kettler on September 14, 2019. The garden surrounds the visitor with Stations of the Cross preserved from the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels Academy (blessed December 7, 1911 by Bishop James Trobec). It also contains a replica of the original cabin where the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception were founded, and a monument holding ashes from the tabernacle of the convent that burned in 1889. A granite directory was added near the church entrance in July 2007.
- Rosary Walkway (completed 2017, dedicated 2019)
- Stations of the Cross from Our Lady of the Angels Academy chapel (1911)
- Replica cabin of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters foundresses
- Monument with ashes from the burned 1889 convent tabernacle
- Belle Prairie Memorial Garden completed 2006
Heritage Landmark Status
In December 2008 the parish was selected for a Local Landmark Designation by the Little Falls Heritage Preservation Commission; the plaque was presented and mounted near the church entrance on March 25, 2009. A Religious Artifact Display Cabinet was added to the gathering space in January 2009. The parish is also marked as part of the Belle Prairie historic district, with markers for the original Belle Prairie Church and Log Cabin, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters foundation site, and the historic Academy bell and monument — all clustered near the 18777 Riverwood Drive campus.
- Little Falls Heritage Preservation Commission Local Landmark, 2008
- Heritage plaque presented March 25, 2009
- Religious Artifact Display Cabinet installed January 2009
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation across the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community is coordinated through the ACC staff and offered at the parishes and at the John Paul II (JPII) Center behind Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Programs run by grade level and meet on Wednesday evenings during the school year. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for adults discerning entry into full communion with the Catholic Church; the parish bulletin lists Jason Becker as the contact.
- OCIA — Jason Becker, 320-639-2684, [email protected]
- Grades 1–5 — Val Kula, [email protected], 320-639-2783
- Grades 6–8 Middle School Youth Group — Inge Becker
- Grades 9–11 High School Youth Ministry and Confirmation prep — Jason Becker
- Grade 2 First Communion Family Retreat (held at Holy Family)
- Youth Open House at the JPII Center: Tuesday and Thursday 3–5 PM
Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares Catholics of all ages for the sacraments of initiation, marriage, and anointing. Baptism preparation for children is scheduled through Val Kula; First Communion is prepared in Grade 2 with a family retreat; Confirmation is prepared over Grades 10–11 with sponsor/teen meetings, interviews, and ongoing formation. Marriage preparation begins at least six months before the desired wedding date and includes an initial meeting with Fr. Ben or Fr. Patrick, a diocesan marriage retreat, the Fully Engaged Inventory, and work with a trained mentor couple from the ACC. Homebound parishioners may request visits from a priest or deacon through the Haven of Mercy Office.
- Baptism preparation for children — Val Kula
- First Communion (Grade 2) family retreat
- Confirmation (Grades 10–11) with sponsor/teen meetings
- Marriage — contact Fr. Ben at 320-639-2669
- Anointing / homebound visits — Haven of Mercy Office 320-632-8243
Pastoral Staff and ACC Leadership
Holy Family is pastored as part of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community. Fr. Benjamin (Ben) Kociemba serves as Pastor of the ACC and Fr. Patrick Hoeft as Parochial Vicar, with Deacon Jef Winkelman assisting. A priest emergency line is maintained for after-hours needs. The ACC administrative team includes a Director of Operations (Luke Waltman), Administrative Coordinator (Paul Winskowski), Office Manager (Mary Jo Backowski), Finance (Michelle Blaine), Director of Evangelization and Discipleship (Jason Becker), Director of Worship (Judy Smith), and communications, marketing, and youth ministry staff.
- Pastor: Fr. Benjamin Kociemba — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Patrick Hoeft — [email protected]
- Deacon: Dcn. Jef Winkelman — [email protected]
- Priest Emergency: 320-639-2685
- Director of Worship: Judy Smith — [email protected]
- Director of Evangelization and Discipleship: Jason Becker
- Youth Minister: Inge Becker — [email protected]
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Val Kula
Parish Life, Prayer, and Heritage Festivals
Prayer, heritage, and French-Canadian culture remain at the heart of parish life. The Holy Family Prayer Line is staffed by Mary (320-632-6235). Rosary and Chaplet opportunities are scheduled across the ACC, including Saturdays at 6:45 AM on KLTF Radio 960 AM. The parish hosts an annual Holy Family Heritage Festival and Mini Fest (in 2025, the 5th Annual Mini Fest was held August 13–16), and parishioners continue to prepare French-Canadian specialties such as Tourtière LeBoutillier for gatherings — echoing the 2007 'Gathering — Belle Prairie 2007' commemoration.
- Prayer Line — Mary, 320-632-6235
- Rosary on KLTF Radio 960 AM, Saturday 6:45 AM
- Annual Holy Family Heritage Festival and Mini Fest
- French-Canadian heritage foods and gatherings
- Volunteer opportunities in faith formation, youth group, and adoration
Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community
In 2023 Holy Family was combined with St. James (Randall), Sacred Heart (Flensburg), St. Stanislaus (Sobieski), Our Lady of Lourdes (Little Falls), and St. Mary's (Little Falls) to form the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community, with the motto 'Belong — Believe — Become.' The ACC shares pastoral staff, faith formation, youth ministry, and sacramental preparation across its six parishes while preserving each parish's individual identity, Mass schedule, and historic buildings. Sacred Heart, Flensburg was commissioned by Bishop Emeritus John Kinney as the first parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud to host the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form), currently celebrated Sundays at 12:00 PM.
- Six parishes: Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, Sacred Heart, St. James, St. Mary's, St. Stanislaus
- Combined in 2023 under shared pastoral leadership
- Motto: Belong — Believe — Become
- Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) at Sacred Heart, Flensburg — Sunday 12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis Xavier Pierz1852–1857
Established the Belle Prairie mission/parish in 1853; founder of the first permanent parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud.
- Père Fortierc. 1880
First pastor of the newly built Holy Family Church, dedicated 1880.
- Father Joseph Buh1877–1916 (approx.)
Directed the construction of the present stone church built by parishioners.
- Father Henri Pellet1916–1949
Long-serving pastor who transitioned records and liturgy from French and Latin to English.
- Father Smith1949–1956
Said Masses in Latin and English; basement was dug out and beams reinforced under his tenure.
- Father Harold Kost1973–2000
Long-tenured spiritual leader; the 2000 addition was dedicated in his memory by Bishop Kinney after his death.
- Father Nick Landsbergerearly 2000s
Pastor at the 2007 'Gathering — Belle Prairie 2007' commemoration and 2002 sesquicentennial.