About Sacred Heart · Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Church of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic parish in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1911 with territory taken from Ascension Parish in North Minneapolis, it grew from a small wooden-frame church of 38 families into a thriving parish serving Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Brooklyn Center. The parish's mission is 'to foster a community of disciples in response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Worship, Fellowship, Catholic Education and Service.' Sacred Heart is known regionally for its Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal) celebrated every Sunday, and it operates an attached Catholic school (Pre-K through 8th grade) that shares the same campus.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Paul Hedman (incoming, August 15-16, 2026); Fr. Bryan J.B. Pedersen (current, through June 30, 2026)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a deep liturgical life with both the Ordinary Form and a weekly Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal) every Sunday, supported by daily Mass, Thursday all-day Eucharistic Adoration (9:00 am – 8:30 pm), and a full confession schedule. It is anchored by Sacred Heart Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade) sharing the same campus, a family-focused Faith Formation program including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and a robust Youth and Young Adult Ministry that partners with neighboring parishes. With its mission to foster disciples through Worship, Fellowship, Catholic Education, and Service, the parish welcomes new members from across Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Brooklyn Center.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:40 – 7:55 am (September – May)
- Tuesday 5:30 – 6:15 pm (June – August)
- Wednesday – Saturday 7:40 – 7:55 am
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:45 pm
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm (Sacred Heart Chapel, enter at Door #8 off the W. Broadway parking lot)
About the Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish exists to foster a community of disciples in response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Worship, Fellowship, Catholic Education, and Service. The parish draws members from Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Brooklyn Center. Its vision is to grow a faith-filled community that informs, invites, and engages parishioners in evangelization, lifelong catechesis, spiritual formation, stewardship, works of mercy, and ongoing conversion.
- Mission: foster disciples through Worship, Fellowship, Catholic Education, Service
- Vision: grow a faith-filled community through evangelization, formation, stewardship
- Served by the clergy of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
History of Sacred Heart
Founded in 1911 by Father Jeremiah Harrington from Ascension Parish in North Minneapolis, Sacred Heart began as a small white wood-framed church on West Broadway and 40½ Avenue, serving just 38 families. Father William Henry Blum became the first resident pastor in 1912 and oversaw major expansion, including a brick veneer, school, and convent in the 1920s. Father Francis Nolan, who succeeded him in 1931, led the building of the current Mankato-stone church, opened on Christmas Day 1958. Subsequent pastors guided growth through parish fires, new school additions, and the 2012 campus unification project.
- 1911: Articles of Incorporation signed Aug. 12, 1911; first Mass Christmas Day 1911
- 1912: Fr. William Henry Blum named first resident pastor
- 1926–1927: School and convent built under Fr. Blum
- 1931: Fr. Francis Nolan succeeds Fr. Blum (who died)
- 1957: Drive to raise $400,000 for a new church and 8-room school
- Dec. 25, 1958: New Mankato-stone church opens for Christmas Midnight Mass
- 1973: Original 1911 church destroyed by fire
- 1974: Multi-purpose activities center dedicated
- 1982: New rectory built under Fr. John McGrath
- 2008: Fr. Bryan J.B. Pedersen becomes pastor; Latin Mass added in Lent 2009
- 2012: Addition unites church, school, and activities center with gathering space and elevator
- 2026: Fr. Paul Hedman named incoming pastor
Traditional Latin Mass
Since Lent of 2009, Sacred Heart has celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal) every Sunday at 11:40 am. The parish is one of the few in the Twin Cities area with a regular weekly Extraordinary Form Mass. Incoming pastor Fr. Paul Hedman is also able to celebrate the Latin Mass and has been asked by Archbishop Hebda to continue the ministry.
- Sunday 11:40 am — Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal)
- Initiated under Fr. Bryan J.B. Pedersen in Lent 2009
- Continuing under incoming pastor Fr. Paul Hedman
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Bryan J.B. Pedersen (pastor since 2008, through June 30, 2026), with Fr. Paul Hedman named as incoming pastor beginning August 15–16, 2026. Deacon Dr. James Ramsey assists with sacramental functions and Home Communion. A team of lay staff directs faith formation, sacred music, youth ministry, and parish operations.
- Fr. Bryan J.B. Pedersen — Pastor (763-285-6240)
- Fr. Paul Hedman — Incoming Pastor (Aug 2026)
- Dr. James Ramsey — Deacon (763-285-6244)
- Bunny Brouillard — Director of Adult Faith Formation & Safe Environment Coordinator (763-285-6247)
- Morgan Leisgang — Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd & First Sacraments (763-285-6246)
- Jamie Schmidt — Director of Sacred Music / Principal Organist (763-285-6287)
- Katie Metzinger — Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (763-285-6245)
- Mary Daugherty — Business Administrator (763-285-6241)
- Mark Sazama — Facility Manager / Maintenance
- Audrey Gilbert — Admin Asst, Bookkeeper, Director of Parish Bulletin (763-285-6242)
- Monica Thibault — Administrative Assistant (763-537-4561)
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School is a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school sharing the same campus as the parish, located at 4050 Hubbard Avenue North, Robbinsdale. The school is dedicated to educating children through high academic and moral standards in a faith-based setting, in collaboration with families, parish, and community. Religion is integrated throughout the day using the Spirit of Truth curriculum from Sophia Institute, covering scripture, sacraments, Church history, Catholic social teaching, and the lives of the saints.
- Pre-K through 8th grade
- 4050 Hubbard Avenue North, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
- Main office: 763-537-1329
- Website: sacredheartschoolrobbinsdale.org
- Principal: Karen Bursey
- Director of Admissions/Marketing: Lorena (Lola) Fritz
- Director of Advancement: Kari Staples
- Religion curriculum: Spirit of Truth (Sophia Institute)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Sacred Heart spans childhood through adulthood. The parish offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 4–6, First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation for second graders and older, Confirmation preparation for eighth graders and older, and RCIA / RCIC for adults and children seeking membership in the Catholic Church. Adult Faith Formation includes parish-wide Bible studies and small groups using FORMED and other resources.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 4, 5, 6)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade+)
- Confirmation (8th grade+)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- RCIC — Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (ages 7–14)
- Adult Bible Study (FORMED 'Presence' and other parish-wide studies)
- Safe Environment / Virtus Training
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Youth Ministry at Sacred Heart is for students in grades 5–12, gathering after school for youth group, Bible studies, Saturday Night Alive youth nights, High School Core Team, Extreme Faith Camp, and other faith activities. Sacred Heart partners with neighboring St. Raphael (Crystal) and Good Shepherd (Golden Valley) parishes to host Wednesday-night programs (6:15 – 7:30 pm) at Good Shepherd for elementary faith formation and middle school youth group, with Confession, Adoration, open gym, board games, and a snack bar.
- Middle School and High School youth group
- Bible studies after school
- Saturday Night Alive youth nights
- High School Core Team leadership
- Extreme Faith Camp
- Wednesday Night Partnership at Good Shepherd (145 Jersey Ave. S., Golden Valley)
- Programming 6:15–7:30 pm; doors open 5:30 pm
Sacraments
Sacred Heart celebrates all seven sacraments, with preparation programs coordinated through the parish office. Baptisms are typically celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month at 1:00 pm. First Communion and Confirmation have grade-based preparation programs. Matrimony and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the pastor and deacon.
- Baptism — 1st & 3rd Sundays at 1:00 pm (RCIC prep)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — 2nd grade+
- Confirmation — 8th grade+
- Matrimony — by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick / Wake Services / Home Communion — Deacon Dr. James Ramsey
Facilities, Campus & Hours
The parish operates from a unified campus that today includes the 1958 Mankato-stone church, the Sacred Heart Chapel (used for daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration), the parish school (Pre-K–8), the multi-purpose activities center, and the rectory. The 2012 addition physically united the church, school, and activities center with a parish gathering space, elevator, and new classrooms. Parish office hours are 8:30 am – 2:00 pm Monday and 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday.
- 4087 West Broadway Ave., Robbinsdale, MN 55422
- 1958 Mankato-stone church (942 seats)
- Sacred Heart Chapel — daily Mass, Adoration, Cry Room Confessional
- Multi-purpose Activities Center (gym, meeting rooms)
- School at 4050 Hubbard Avenue North
- Parish Office Hours: Mon 8:30 am – 2:00 pm; Tue–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Door #8 off W. Broadway parking lot — Chapel / Confessional entrance
Joining the Parish
Newcomers and visitors are warmly invited to register with the parish by calling the office at 763-537-4561 or stopping by. The parish welcomes families from Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Brooklyn Center, and offers a full sacramental life, school, faith formation, and youth programs to support every stage of Catholic life.
- Call 763-537-4561 to register
- Stop by the Parish Office during posted hours
- Sacred Heart Catholic School tours available through school office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jeremiah Harrington1911 (founder)
Pastor of Ascension, North Minneapolis; pre-signed Articles of Incorporation July 19, 1911; said the first Mass in the new church on Christmas Day 1911.
- Rev. William Henry Blum1912–1931
First resident pastor; enlarged and bricked the church; built school and convent (1926–1927); died in 1931. Knights of Columbus Council #3656 named in his honor.
- Rev. Francis Nolan1931–1966
Built the present Mankato-stone church (opened Christmas 1958); died suddenly in the side chapel during a summer storm in July 1966.
- Rev. Alfred S. Wagner1966–1969
Appointed by Archbishop Leo Binz; later assigned to St. Helena's, Minneapolis.
- Rev. John Flaherty1969 (briefly)
Brief interim pastor between Wagner and Hermes.
- Rev. Wallace Hermes1970–1976
Built the new multi-purpose activities center dedicated Sept. 1974 after the 1911 church burned in 1973; later assigned to Holy Trinity, Waterville.
- Rev. John E. McGrath1976–1995
Built a new rectory in 1982; died in 1995.
- Rev. Robert Zasacki1995–2002
- Rev. Michael Creagan2002–2008
Later served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army National Guard.
- Rev. Bryan J.B. Pedersen2008–2026
Built the 2012 addition uniting church, school, and activities center; introduced the Traditional Latin Mass in Lent of 2009; current pastor through June 30, 2026.
- Rev. Paul Hedman2026–present
Ordained 2020; previously parochial vicar at St. Peter's, Forest Lake and Epiphany, Coon Rapids; U.S. Army National Guard chaplain; will continue the Latin Mass ministry.