About Nativity of Our Lord · Saint Paul, Minnesota
Nativity of Our Lord is a large, century-old Catholic parish and school in St. Paul's Macalester-Groveland neighborhood, serving more than 1,700 families in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1922 by Fr. Terrence Moore, it built a Gothic-style granite church in 1939 and grew into one of the most substantial Catholic communities on the Twin Cities' east side. Today the parish operates a thriving K-8 school of roughly 700-800 students, an Early Learning Center, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, an extensive liturgical music program, and dozens of ministries spanning youth, family, men's, women's, and outreach work.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- The Nativity of Our Lord (the Birth of Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. Rolf Tollefson
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Nativity offers the rare combination of a large parish family — 1,700+ households, many multigenerational — with the spiritual depth of seven-day-a-week Masses, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel with more than 300 committed adorers, and a robust Catholic school of roughly 800 students (plus an Early Learning Center). New parishioners are welcomed concretely: greeters at the door after Mass, Small Groups for faith and friendship, Donut Sunday, and a deep bench of ministries from the Men's Club and NCCW (Nativity Council of Catholic Women) to the Grandparents Apostolate, Christian Family Movement, Young Adults, youth ministry, and liturgical volunteer rosters. It is a place where tradition (Gothic architecture, Gregorian chant, a strong adult choir) meets active parish life in one of St. Paul's most historic Catholic neighborhoods.
Mass times at Nativity of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
- Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Friday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Sunday 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Monday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM (paused 5:00–5:30 PM for Mass)
- Wednesday 12:00 AM – 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (paused 5:00–5:30 PM for Mass)
- Saturday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
About Nativity of Our Lord
Nativity of Our Lord is a large Catholic parish in St. Paul's Macalester-Groveland neighborhood, founded in 1922 and part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. With more than 1,700 registered families, a parish school of roughly 800 students in grades K-8, an Early Learning Center, Perpetual Adoration, and dozens of active ministries, Nativity is one of the most substantial Catholic faith communities on St. Paul's west side. Its 1939 Gothic-style granite church anchors a campus that also includes the school, rectory, the Lannan Center parish offices, and Steiner Hall.
- Founded 1922 by Fr. Terrence Moore
- More than 1,700 registered families
- Macalester-Groveland neighborhood of Saint Paul
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Parish History
The parish's origins are agricultural. Archbishop Dowling assigned Fr. Terrence Moore the task of founding a new parish on September 7, 1922, when the Macalester-Groveland area was still dominated by farmland. The combined school and rectory opened in August 1923, the school welcomed 311 students on September 14, 1923, and the Gothic-style granite church was dedicated on April 16, 1939 — seating more than 800, with 300 confirmed at the dedication and 1,200+ families already enrolled. The post-war years brought a baby boom that pushed enrollment past 1,000 students and triggered Nativity's first million-dollar capital campaign in 1958. After Vatican II brought English into the Mass in 1965, the parish marked its 50th anniversary in 1972, began its first Stewardship program in 1982, opened the Early Learning Center in 1990, and started Perpetual Adoration in April 1994. A major $15 million school construction and rededication in 2008 launched the era of Fr. Patrick Hipwell (sixth pastor, 2008–2023); in July 2023 Fr. Rolf Tollefson became Nativity's seventh pastor.
- 1922 — Parish founded by Fr. Terrence Moore
- 1923 — School and rectory completed; school opens with 311 students
- 1939 — Gothic-style granite church dedicated
- 1948 — Fr. Moore dies; Auxiliary Bishop James Byrnes appointed pastor
- 1964 — Msgr. Clarence Steiner named pastor
- 1994 — Perpetual Adoration Chapel opens
- 1999 — Fr. Peter Christensen becomes 5th pastor
- 2008 — $15M school construction completed and rededicated
- 2022 — Centennial; capital campaign for church/school/endowment
- 2023 — Fr. Rolf Tollefson becomes 7th pastor
- 2024 — New parish mission promulgated
Centennial & Current Mission
In 2022 Nativity marked its centennial with a multi-million-dollar capital campaign focused on restoring the aging church building, retiring school debt, and creating a scholarship endowment. In December 2024, in response to 'One Nativity 2035,' the pastoral council, staff, and lay leaders, Pastor Fr. Rolf Tollefson promulgated a new three-fold parish mission that mirrors the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas and centers on the Nativity itself: (1) Prepare the Way of Our Lord, (2) Celebrate 'God With Us,' and (3) Shine with the Light of Christ.
- Capital campaign: church restoration, school debt, scholarship endowment
- Three-fold mission adopted December 7, 2024
- Anchored in 'One Nativity 2035' pastoral planning
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
Fr. Rolf Tollefson is Nativity's seventh pastor, having begun his assignment in July 2023. He previously served for twelve years as pastor of St. Hubert Catholic Church and School in Chanhassen and is a published amateur photographer, jam-maker, and outdoor enthusiast with a deep love for Eastern Christianity. Fr. John Paul Erickson has served as Parochial Vicar since July 2024, and Fr. Jason Asselin is the incoming Parochial Vicar. Deacon Emeritus Rev. Mr. Russ Kocemba continues in ministry at the parish.
- Fr. Rolf Tollefson — Pastor (since July 2023)
- Fr. John Paul Erickson — Parochial Vicar (since July 2024)
- Fr. Jason Asselin — Incoming Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Russ Kocemba — Deacon Emeritus
Sacraments
Reconciliation is offered four days a week in the church; a brief pause for Mass pauses Tuesday and Friday Adoration. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel has been in continuous operation since April 1994 and depends on more than 300 committed adorers signed up for weekly hours. Information about Baptism, Marriage, First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick is available through the parish office.
- Reconciliation: Tue 4:15–4:45 PM, Wed 4:30–5:30 PM, Fri 4:15–4:45 PM, Sat 3:30–4:30 PM
- Perpetual Adoration (with scheduled weekly hour sign-ups)
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing — contact 651-696-5401
Nativity of Our Lord School
Nativity of Our Lord School is a highly regarded Catholic elementary school serving approximately 700–800 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with roots going back to 1923. Originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (the order's convent was completed in 1952), the school gradually transitioned to lay faculty. A $15 million construction project was completed on time and on budget in August 2008, after which the school was rededicated — a Nativity School Marker honoring Fr. Terence Moore was installed outside.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
- $15 million construction/rededication in 2008
- Head of School: Kate Wollan
Faith Formation & Adult Education
Faith formation at Nativity serves all ages. Adult offerings include Small Groups (with new Lent small groups launched annually), Bible studies, and one-day or weekend retreats. The parish emphasizes small-group ministry as part of the Archdiocesan Synod's initiative.
- Faith Formation for all ages
- Small Groups (Lent small groups and ongoing)
- RCIA / catechumenate programs
- Adult education and Bible study offerings
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music is a hallmark of Nativity. The Adult Choir — directed by Rob Pontious — sings from the end of September through Corpus Christi, anchoring the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass and seasonal liturgies from Labor Day through Pentecost. No music-reading experience is required to join; enthusiasm and commitment are the only prerequisites. Children's Choir and organ/choral music are also part of parish life. Liturgical rosters for Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters/Ushers, Altar Servers, and Arts and Environment are coordinated via Rotunda Software.
- Adult Choir — Sundays 11:00 AM and special liturgies
- Children's Choir
- Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters/Ushers, Altar Servers
- Arts and Environment / Cleaners
Parish Groups & Community Life
Parish life at Nativity runs deep. The Men's Club and NCCW (Nativity Council of Catholic Women) anchor adult fellowship; the Christian Family Movement supports parents and families; the Grandparents Apostolate prays for the parish's children and grandchildren; and the long-running Nativity County Fair (since September 1975) is a marquee annual fundraiser. Donut Sunday, Small Groups, and Young Adults activities help newcomers plug in.
- Men's Club and Men's Fellowship Small Group
- NCCW (Nativity Council of Catholic Women)
- Christian Family Movement
- Grandparents Apostolate
- Young Adults
- Nativity County Fair (annual since 1975)
Retreats & Adult Spirituality
Nativity sponsors annual Men's and Women's Retreats. The 2025 Men's Retreat will be held October 9–12 at Trinity Woods Catholic Retreat Center in Trego, Wisconsin, with daily Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, presentations, hiking, individual spiritual direction, and fellowship ($250, with financial assistance). The next Women's Retreat is set for February 27–28, 2026, featuring the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus.
- Men's Retreat at Trinity Woods, October 9–12, 2025
- Women's Retreat, February 27–28, 2026 (presenters: Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus)
- Individual spiritual direction available
- $250 fee with assistance available
Contact & Visit
The church sits at 1938 Stanford Avenue on the corner of Stanford and Prior Avenues in Saint Paul. The parish office (Lannan Center) is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–12:00 PM at 1900 Wellesley Avenue. The school is at 1900 Stanford Avenue, and the Early Learning Center is at 1900 Wellesley Avenue. Phone 651-696-5401; fax 651-696-5458; email [email protected]. Livestreamed Masses are available daily at nativitystpaul.org/online-liturgies.
- Church: 1938 Stanford Avenue
- Parish Office / Lannan Center: 1900 Wellesley Avenue
- School: 1900 Stanford Avenue (651-699-1311)
- Early Learning Center: 1900 Wellesley Avenue (651-696-5437)
- Phone: 651-696-5401
- Email: [email protected]
- Livestream: nativitystpaul.org/online-liturgies
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Terrence (Terence) Moore1922 – 1948
Founding pastor; assigned by Archbishop Dowling on September 7, 1922. Built the original school/rectory (1923) and broke ground for the present church. Died February 1948 of complications from a stroke suffered while kneeling in the sanctuary.
- Auxiliary Bishop James Byrnes1948 – c. 1956
Appointed pastor after Fr. Moore's death.
- Msgr. Clarence Steiner1956 – 1986 (parish administrator from 1956, pastor 1964)
First assigned to Nativity as assistant pastor in April 1945; served more than 52 years total. Continued in residence until 1997. Steiner Hall on the parish campus is named for him.
- Fr. Patrick Lannan1986 – 1998
Joined the parish in 1975; named parish administrator 1985, pastor 1986. Died unexpectedly in November 1998 while traveling in the Holy Land.
- Fr. Peter Christensen1999 – 2007
Fifth pastor. Later named Bishop of the Diocese of Superior.
- Fr. Patrick Hipwell2008 – 2023
Sixth pastor. Oversaw the $15 million school construction/rededication in 2008.
- Fr. Rolf TollefsonJuly 2023 – present
Seventh and current pastor. Previously twelve years as pastor at St. Hubert in Chanhassen. Formulated the new three-fold parish mission in December 2024.