About Immaculate Conception · Watertown, Minnesota
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown, Minnesota is a parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis whose roots reach back to the very first Catholic settlers of the area in 1857. The parish community lives its identity as 'a Catholic Community alive and growing in the spirit of Christ,' celebrating Sunday Mass in English and gathering for Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays. Under the current pastoral leadership of Fr. Peter Hughes, the parish recently completed a $500,000 'Grow with Grace' capital campaign that renovated the 1961 sanctuary and improved accessibility throughout the church and Fatima Hall.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Fr. Peter Hughes
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
ICC Watertown is a small but deeply rooted Catholic community where the Eucharist truly is the center of parish life — with daily Mass on Thursdays and Fridays, weekly Confession before each weekday Mass, and Friday morning Eucharistic Adoration. Active faithful of every age find a place here through faith formation for children, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), and ministries that reach out to neighbors in need. The recent Grow with Grace renovation reflects a parish actively investing in its shared worship space — a tangible sign that this community is alive, growing, and eager to welcome new members.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 7:30 AM
- Friday: 7:30 AM
- First Friday of the month: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
History of Immaculate Conception
The Catholic presence in Watertown — first known to settlers as 'the Big Woods' — stretches all the way back to 1856. Catholic families began arriving in 1857, and in 1859 a young priest named John Ireland, who would one day be Archbishop of Saint Paul, made the trip to offer Mass in their homes. By 1861, seventy Catholic families were being served by Benedictine priests from Shakopee, and in 1863 the community built its first log church and took on the name 'Immaculate Conception.' A second church followed in 1876, and May 14, 1882 marks the first written parish records. Fr. Thomas Rehill, pastor from 1900 to 1957, gave the parish more than half a century of continuity. The present-day church was built in 1961, and 1975 saw Archbishop John Roach dedicate Fatima Hall, the religious education building.
- 1856: First white settlers arrive in the 'Big Woods'
- 1857: First Catholic settlers arrive
- 1859: Fr. John Ireland (future Archbishop of Saint Paul) celebrates first Masses in family homes
- 1861: 70 Catholic families served by Benedictine priests from Shakopee
- 1863: First log church built; parish adopts the name Immaculate Conception
- 1876: Second church completed
- May 14, 1882: First written parish records
- 1900–1957: Fr. Thomas Rehill serves as pastor for 57 years
- 1961: Present church completed; bell and stained glass carried over from the previous church
- 1975: Fatima Hall dedicated by Archbishop John Roach
- 2024: Sanctuary renovation completed under Fr. Peter Hughes as part of the Grow with Grace campaign
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Faith formation at ICC is parish-supported and grade-appropriate. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is generally received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation preparation typically takes place in 8th grade, so the journey walks alongside students through their school years. As the parish notes, 'helping children form a foundation' for a lifelong faith journey is more than purely educational — it is a way of accompanying families.
- Religious education program for children (Faith Formation)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation (typically 2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation (typically 8th grade)
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Adults who wish to become Catholic, baptized Christians seeking full communion, or already-baptized Catholics wishing to complete their sacraments of initiation are welcomed through the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. Inquiry sessions are designed so that no one is pressured to continue; individuals are free to discern at their own pace whether and when to proceed.
- Welcomes unbaptized adults (catechumens)
- Welcomes baptized Christians seeking full communion
- Serves adult Catholics completing initiation (First Eucharist, Confirmation)
- Inquiry sessions held before weekly formation begins
- Adult initiation typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil
Capital Campaign: Grow with Grace
In 2024 the parish completed the 'Grow with Grace' capital campaign, hitting its $500,000 goal in April 2024. The three-phase effort focused first on the church interior: a newly designed sanctuary telling the story of Mary 'from conception to being crowned with stars in the book of Revelation,' new carpet, refurbished pews and kneelers, redesigned confessionals, and a new elevator. Later phases address the church exterior and grounds (parking lot resealing, siding updates, security cameras) and updating Fatima Hall (ADA-accessible restrooms, new carpet, replacement of the aging boiler).
- Goal of $500,000 — reached April 2024
- Phase One: new sanctuary, new carpet, refurbished pews, redesigned confessionals, new elevator
- Phase Two: parking lot resealing/repairs, siding updates, security cameras on campus
- Phase Three: ADA restrooms, new carpet, new boiler in Fatima Hall
Parish Mission and Outreach
Under the motto 'a Catholic Community alive and growing in the spirit of Christ,' ICC frames its mission around three commitments: living the Eucharistic life of daily prayer, ongoing formation in sacred scripture and Church teaching, and serving the physical and spiritual needs of neighbors. The parish mission statement cites respect for life 'from natural conception to natural death,' compassionate outreach and evangelization, and a commitment to work for social justice.
- Daily Eucharistic prayer and sacramental life
- Ongoing formation in scripture and Catholic teaching
- Outreach and evangelization
- Respect for life from conception to natural death
- Commitment to social justice
Pastor and Pastoral Team
The parish is currently served by Fr. Peter Hughes, a member of the Companions of Christ ordained in 2015. He holds a Master of Divinity and bachelor's degrees in Classical Languages, Catholic Studies, and Philosophy. Fr. Peter also serves as pastor of St. Boniface in St. Bonifacius, MN, and previously served at parishes in Delano, Mound, West St. Paul, and Shakopee.
- Fr. Peter Hughes — Pastor
- Member of the Companions of Christ
- Ordained 2015
- Also pastor of St. Boniface, St. Bonifacius, MN
Visiting and Contact Information
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is located at 109 Angel Ave NW in Watertown, Minnesota, with a mailing address of PO Box 548, Watertown, MN 55388-0548. The parish office can be reached at (952) 955-1458 or by email at [email protected]. Visitors and parishioners are encouraged to check the parish calendar for any schedule changes, especially during the summer months when daily Mass and confessions may be adjusted.
- Address: 109 Angel Ave NW, PO Box 548, Watertown, MN 55388-0548
- Phone: (952) 955-1458
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://iccwatertown.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/ICCWatertown
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Ireland1859
Future Archbishop of Saint Paul; celebrated the first Masses in the homes of Catholic families in the Watertown area.
- Benedictine priests from Shakopee1861–c.1900
Traveled from Shakopee to serve the growing Catholic community; the first log church was completed under their care in 1863.
- Fr. Thomas Rehill1900–1957
Longest-tenured pastor in parish history, serving 57 years.
- Fr. Peter Hughes
Current pastor (as of 2024); member of the Companions of Christ; led the 2024 sanctuary renovation and the Grow with Grace campaign. Also serves St. Boniface in St. Bonifacius, MN.