About Our Lady of Victory Chapel - St. Kate's · Saint Paul, Minnesota
Our Lady of Victory Chapel is the Catholic chapel of St. Catherine University (St. Kate's) in Saint Paul, Minnesota, completed in 1924 in the Romanesque Revival style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. Inspired by the Church of St. Trophime in Arles, Provence, France, it rises on the second-highest hill in Saint Paul with a 126-foot barrel-vault ceiling and serves as the spiritual heart of campus. The chapel is run by the university's Center for Spirituality and Social Justice (CSSJ) and hosts a Sunday Mass, ecumenical prayer, weddings, concerts and University ceremonies for students, faculty, staff and neighbors of all faiths.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- Our Lady of Victory (the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Victory)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Our Lady of Victory Chapel is the spiritual heart of St. Catherine University's historic hilltop campus, offering a 100-year-old Romanesque Revival sanctuary that welcomes students, faculty, staff, alumni and neighbors of all faiths. The Center for Spirituality and Social Justice runs a full program of Catholic liturgy — including a Sunday Mass, Holy Week Triduum, Christmas Eve Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation and Taizé prayer — alongside faith-sharing groups, retreats, the Chapel and University Choirs, and outreach such as the on-campus Food Access Hub. Whether you are a current student discerning baptism through OICA, an alumna returning for a wedding, or a neighbor seeking a quiet weekday chapel open for prayer and reflection, Our Lady of Victory offers both daily sanctuary and a deeply rooted Catholic community.
Mass times at Our Lady of Victory Chapel - St. Kate's
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sacrament of Reconciliation offered on selected Mondays during Lent, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (examples listed: Monday March 2 and Monday March 30 in 2025)
- Available by contacting the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice at 651-690-6724
Adoration times
- Wednesdays during Lent: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (in Spanish)
- Fridays during Lent: 7:00–8:00 p.m. (in English)
History of Our Lady of Victory Chapel
Our Lady of Victory Chapel was constructed in 1923–1924 on the St. Catherine University campus, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905. The building was directed by Mother Antonia McHugh, who helped found the College of St. Catherine and served as its leader for more than 30 years. It was designed by architect Herbert A. Sullwold in the Romanesque Revival style, inspired by the Church of St. Trophime in Arles, Provence, France, and was dedicated on October 7, 1924 — the Feast of Mary, Our Lady of Victory — by Archbishop Austin Dowling of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The chapel was rededicated on May 1, 1958, after renovation, by Archbishop William Brady, and reopened in 2024 after nearly two years of preservation work, with Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda celebrating a centennial Mass on October 6, 2024.
- Constructed 1923–1924; architect Herbert A. Sullwold
- Directed by Mother Antonia McHugh, CSJ
- Dedicated October 7, 1924 by Archbishop Austin Dowling
- Rededicated May 1, 1958 by Archbishop William Brady
- Pipe organ added 1991, dedicated to Sister Mary Davida Wood
- Reopened 2024 after preservation; centennial Mass October 6, 2024 with Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda
Architecture and Art
The chapel is a Romanesque Revival landmark modeled on the Church of St. Trophime in Arles, with a richly decorated entrance featuring stone friezes of Christ, the Twelve Apostles and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the university's patron saint. Inside, a stained-glass panel of Christ the King rises behind the altar, and the barrel-vault ceiling soars to 126 feet — one of the tallest interior spaces on the second-highest hill in Saint Paul. Symbols of Christianity and the humanities decorate the walls in ornate tile designs throughout. A pipe organ was added in 1991 and dedicated to Sister Mary Davida Wood, professor emerita of music.
- Stone frieze: Christ, the Twelve Apostles and St. Catherine of Alexandria
- Stained-glass Christ the King behind the altar
- Barrel-vault ceiling 126 feet tall
- Ornate tile designs of Christian and humanistic symbols
- Pipe organ dedicated 1991 to Sister Mary Davida Wood
National Register of Historic Places
Our Lady of Victory Chapel and its companion Derham Hall were jointly listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 31, 1985 (NRHP #85003423) for local significance in architecture, education and religion. They were recognized as the well-preserved core buildings of Minnesota's oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women.
- Listed October 31, 1985; NRHP #85003423
- Recognized for architecture, education and religion
- Core of Minnesota's oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women
Center for Spirituality and Social Justice (CSSJ)
The Center for Spirituality and Social Justice (CSSJ), located directly behind (east of) Our Lady of Victory Chapel, is the campus ministry hub that organizes Catholic liturgy, retreats, spiritual direction, faith-sharing groups and social-justice programming for the St. Kate's community. It is led by Director Sr. Sharon Howell, CSJ, who also holds the Archbishop Harry Flynn Endowed Chair in Catholic Identity and directs the Myser Initiative. The Center employs full-time staff and student peer ministers, partners with other Catholic universities on larger retreat experiences, and supports an Interfaith Prayer Room on its 2nd floor along with chaplaincy for Muslim, Jewish and other non-Catholic students.
- Director: Sr. Sharon Howell, CSJ
- Also home to the Archbishop Harry Flynn Endowed Chair in Catholic Identity and the Myser Initiative
- Interfaith Prayer Room on the 2nd floor
- Partners with local Muslim and Jewish community organizations
- Full-time staff and student peer ministers
- Phone 651-690-6724; email [email protected]
Sacraments at the Chapel
Through the CSSJ and the Order of Christian Initiation (OICA) program, St. Kate's welcomes students — including those baptized in another Christian denomination — into the Catholic faith, with Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil each year. Sunday and Triduum Masses are the regular setting for Eucharist, while the Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled during Lent and available on request. Catholic wedding ceremonies are celebrated in the Chapel by a priest or deacon for alumni, current students, current employees and children of current employees.
- Order of Christian Initiation (OICA) for adults — Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, typically at the Easter Vigil
- Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent and by appointment
- Catholic weddings for eligible members of the St. Kate's community, witnessed by a priest or deacon
- No weddings during Lent, holiday breaks, Commencement or Reunion weekends
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music is central to worship at Our Lady of Victory Chapel. Volunteer lectors, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, cantors and instrumentalists serve at the Sunday Mass, with the Chapel Choir and University Choir performing concerts and sacred music throughout the academic year. Musicians rehearse on Sunday mornings before the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. The chapel is also the venue for signature University performances, including Advent Vespers, Feast of St. Catherine celebrations and faculty/staff awards.
- Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass — lectors, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, cantors, instrumentalists
- Chapel Choir and University Choir
- Sunday-morning rehearsal for musicians
- Advent Vespers, Feast of St. Catherine, and University Choir concerts held in the Chapel
Faith Formation, Retreats and Spiritual Direction
Beyond Sunday Mass, the CSSJ offers Sharing of the Heart faith-sharing groups based on the practices of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the Prayer Partner Program that pairs students with a CSJ sister or staff member for mutual prayer, and individual spiritual direction. The Center partners with other Catholic universities to offer larger retreat experiences, and runs signature events such as the Welcome Bonfire, the Wall of Oppression, Food for the Soul and service opportunities including Alternative Spring Break.
- Sharing of the Heart faith-sharing groups
- Prayer Partner Program with CSJ sisters, consociates, staff/faculty
- Individual spiritual direction
- Joint retreats with other Catholic universities
- Welcome Bonfire, Wall of Oppression, Food for the Soul
- Alternative Spring Break and service trips
Social Justice and Outreach
The CSSJ's social-justice work is anchored by the Food Access Hub, an on-campus food shelf for students facing food insecurity, stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and balanced staples. Volunteers (especially those bilingual in Spanish, Hmong, ASL or Somali) assist with food delivery on the 1st/3rd and 2nd/4th Tuesdays of the month. The Center also promotes interfaith understanding, partnerships with local Muslim and Jewish communities, and community-wide prayer intentions entrusted to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and their Consociates.
- Food Access Hub (campus food shelf)
- Volunteer opportunities Tuesdays; bilingual volunteers especially welcome
- Prayer Intentions submitted online are prayed for by the Sisters of St. Joseph and Consociates
- Interfaith partnerships with local Muslim and Jewish communities
Weddings and Events in the Chapel
The Chapel is available for Catholic wedding ceremonies and receptions, and is one of St. Kate's most popular event venues. Eligibility is limited to alumni, current students, current employees and children of current employees, and all ceremonies must be Catholic and witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon (no exceptions). Receptions can be held in the Rauenhorst Ballroom or the President's Dining Room with Sodexo catering. Weddings cannot be scheduled during Lent, holiday breaks, Commencement or Reunion weekends. The chapel also hosts many signature University events throughout the academic year.
- Catholic ceremony witnessed by a priest or deacon
- Reception venues: Rauenhorst Ballroom, President's Dining Room (Sodexo catering)
- Not scheduled during Lent, holiday breaks, Commencement, or Reunion weekends
- Annual events: Antonian Honors Pinning, DPT White Coat and Pledge Ceremony, faculty/staff awards
Visiting the Chapel
The Chapel is open for meditation, prayer and reflection Monday through Friday when the University is in session, and visitors are also welcome at Sunday Mass and at the published Lent and Holy Week services. A self-guided tour of the Chapel is available online at stkate.edu/ChapelTour, and a printed book about its history can be ordered at stkate.edu/ChapelBook. The CSSJ office sits directly behind (east of) the Chapel; campus Mailbox #F-7.
- Self-guided tour: stkate.edu/ChapelTour
- Book on the Chapel's history: stkate.edu/ChapelBook
- Office: CSSJ, behind the Chapel, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105 (Mailbox #F-7)
- Phone 651-690-6724 · Email [email protected]