About Holy Name · Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Church of the Holy Name is a welcoming, engaged, and passionate Roman Catholic parish community in South Minneapolis's Powderhorn Park neighborhood. Founded in 1916, the parish inspires and challenges its members to know the Lord and be His disciples through worship, formation, and outreach. As part of a long-standing pastoral partnership with St. Leonard of Port Maurice, the parish celebrates Mass in English and is closely tied to Risen Christ Catholic School, a five-parish consolidation in the area.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Holy Name (of Jesus)
- Rector
- Fr. Bob Hart (Parochial Administrator, effective July 2025)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Holy Name is a small, family-friendly South Minneapolis parish that takes the long view of discipleship, gathering each week for liturgy, faith formation for every age, and outreach to neighbors. Families can grow together through Family Faith Formation, sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), and OCIA, while the parish's partnership with Risen Christ Catholic School and its child-care ministry in the former convent extend its reach beyond Sunday Mass.
Mass times at Holy Name
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 pm
- or by appointment
About Holy Name Parish
The Church of the Holy Name is a welcoming, engaged, and passionate Roman Catholic parish community in South Minneapolis, founded in 1916 to serve the Powderhorn Park neighborhood. The parish describes itself as committed to knowing the Lord and making disciples through worship, formation, and outreach, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Founded July 5, 1916
- First Mass December 5, 1916; blessed by Archbishop Ireland January 21, 1917
- Pastored in partnership with St. Leonard of Port Maurice
- Part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
History
Holy Name grew out of a 1915 petition by Powderhorn Park families to Archbishop Ireland. Through two buildings, a school staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1923 to 1978, and the construction of the present-day church in 1960–62, the parish has marked more than a century of Catholic life on Minneapolis's south side. The parish celebrated its Centennial in 2016.
- School built in 1923, staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph until 1978
- School addition and convent built 1953–1957
- New church designed by Thompson and Cerny Associates; ground broken Oct. 9, 1960
- First Mass in new church March 11, 1962; blessed by Archbishop Leo Binz April 29, 1962
- Centennial celebrated in 2016 with a published history booklet
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Bob Hart as Parochial Administrator beginning July 2025, following the May 2025 transfer of former Pastor Fr. Leo Schneider to Our Lady of Lourdes in Minneapolis. A small lay staff supports faith formation, liturgy and music, and parish operations.
- Fr. Bob Hart — Parochial Administrator (retired priest of the Archdiocese)
- Erin Werneke — Faith Formation Director (Adult Formation, GIFT, Family Formation PreK–HS, Sacramental Prep including OCIA, Synod implementation, OPCY/VIRTUS/Safety)
- Kristy Bachus — Music & Liturgy Director (liturgical music, instrumentalists, ministry volunteers, funeral planning)
- Jimmy Barnett — Office Manager (bulletin, donations, bookkeeping, Mass intentions, facility scheduling, website/social media)
- Jennifer Stephan — main office contact for general questions
Disciple Formation and Sacraments
Holy Name describes formation as a long, seasonal work of tending 'the slow fire of discipleship,' with parents as the primary formators of their children. Sacramental preparation follows the parish's family-based model and incorporates OCIA for adults and older youth.
- Family Faith Formation once a month after the 9 am Sunday Mass (high school at 12 pm)
- GIFT adult faith formation program
- Baptism preparation for children 0–7, youth 7+, and adults (via OCIA)
- First Communion preparation (Receiving Jesus)
- Two-year Confirmation preparation
- OCIA for adults seeking initiation
- Curricula used: Alive in Christ, Faith Fusión, Preparing to Receive Jesus, R.E.A.L. Formation
Liturgy and Music
Music and liturgical ministry at Holy Name are coordinated by the Music & Liturgy Director and supported by trained volunteers. The parish livestreams its principal Sunday Mass and has produced a video archive of reflections on liturgy, prayer, faith formation, and parish life.
- Liturgical music and instrumentalists
- Liturgical ministry volunteers and training
- Liturgy and liturgical environment
- Funeral planning ministry
- Sunday 9:00 am Mass livestreamed; archive videos posted on the parish website
Outreach and Community Partners
Holy Name's outreach extends through its long-standing partnership with Risen Christ Catholic School — a five-parish consolidation that includes Holy Name — and through a child-care center housed in the parish's former convent. The parish also invites adult leaders into its ministry teams.
- Risen Christ Catholic School (community partner; Thursday school Mass at 10:15 am)
- Child-care center in the converted convent
- Adult leader sign-ups for formation ministry
Visiting and Registering
Visitors are warmly welcomed; the parish office is open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am–3:00 pm (closed Friday). After-hours emergencies can be left on the main voicemail, which is checked when the office is closed. New parishioners register with a paper registration form available on the website.
- Office: Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–3:00 pm; Friday closed
- Contact: 612-724-5465 or [email protected]
- Paper registration form available under 'I'm New — Visitors'
- Accessibility: hearing loop, accessible ramp, lift between worship space and social hall
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Leo Schneider
Pastor of Holy Name and St. Leonard of Port Maurice, transferred in May 2025 to become pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Minneapolis, effective July 1, 2025.
- Fr. Bob HartJuly 2025–present
Retired priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis serving as Parochial Administrator of both Holy Name and St. Leonard of Port Maurice.