About Saint Anne · Bismarck, North Dakota
Saint Anne Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Bismarck, North Dakota, part of the Diocese of Bismarck. Founded in 1957 to relieve overcrowding at Saint Mary's Parish, Saint Anne has grown from 350 families to a thriving faith community of more than 1,500 families. The parish worships at 1321 Braman Avenue and is known for its striking mid-century modern church featuring the 'God's Picture Window' — a monumental south wall of glass — along with Ad Orientem celebration of Mass and a robust daily and weekend Mass schedule.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Saint Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Father Wayne Sattler
- Diocese
- Diocese of Bismarck
Why belong here
Saint Anne is a large, multigenerational Catholic family of more than 1,500 households in the heart of Bismarck, offering a full schedule of Masses and confessions throughout the week, Eucharistic Adoration, and the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those seeking to become Catholic. Rooted in a tradition of volunteers — beginning with the Saint Anne Guild — the parish centers on caring for one another as family, and provides online giving through WeShare, a parish school, and active liturgical and devotional life.
Mass times at Saint Anne
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Monday–Friday: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday–Friday: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM (after 5:15 PM Mass)
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
History of Saint Anne Parish
The Parish of Saint Anne had its beginning in the summer of 1955, when a group of concerned parishioners of Saint Mary's Parish met with their pastor, Monsignor Robert A. Feehan, to investigate what could be done to alleviate the overcrowded conditions at Saint Mary's School and Church. With Bishop Lambert Hoch's approval, a new school was built on property at 13th Street and Braman Avenue donated by Mr. T. Clem Casey. In the spring of 1956, architect Bernard H. Hillyer drew up plans for the Church of Saint Anne. Although the facility was originally intended to be a mission of Saint Mary's Parish, Bishop Hillary Hacker determined it more feasible to make Saint Anne an independent parish, naming Father Arnold Spain as its first pastor. The first Mass was celebrated in the school gymnasium on July 7, 1957, and the new school opened September 3, 1957, with 235 students taught by six Sisters of Notre Dame from Mankato. By 1960, the school gymnasium could no longer accommodate the Sunday crowds, and Hillyer was retained to design a new modern church seating 700, completed in 1961. A Parish Center was added in 1980, and the church interior was remodeled in keeping with the Liturgical Documents of Vatican II in 1984. Since then, the parish has expanded the seating area, replaced pews and flooring, enlarged the music area, installed a fire sprinkler system, added a gathering space and a lower-level fellowship hall and kitchen. Parish leadership has written that 'parish is really about people not buildings,' and that since the Saint Anne Guild first organized, the parish has been about caring for one another as family.
Architecture & Building
Saint Anne's church was designed by architect Bernard H. Hillyer and completed in 1961 in a modern style seating 700. The building's signature feature is its enormous south wall of glass, affectionately called 'God's Picture Window.' The interior was remodeled in 1984 in keeping with the Liturgical Documents of Vatican II, and the parish has continued to update the facility with additional seating, new pews and flooring, an enlarged music area, a fire sprinkler system, a gathering space, and a lower-level fellowship hall and kitchen.
OCIA / Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the restored name for the former RCIA process, is offered at Saint Anne for adults seeking to become Catholic or to complete their initiation sacraments. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office at 701-223-1549.
Parish School
Saint Anne Parish School was founded September 3, 1957, opening with 235 students and staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame from Mankato, Minnesota. The school remains part of the parish's Catholic education mission in Bismarck.
Parish Life & Community
The parish has described itself as 'really about people not buildings,' noting that since the first group of volunteers organized as the Saint Anne Guild, the parish has been about caring for one another as family. Today Saint Anne is a thriving faith community of over 1,500 families. Each summer on July 26 — the parish's feast day — the community gathers for 'Grandma's Supper' in the church basement after the 5:15 PM Mass, in honor of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Online Giving & Communications
Online Giving is available through WeShare, allowing parishioners to create an account and donate by credit card or directly from a bank account. For assistance, parishioners can contact the parish office (Melanie) at 701-223-1549. The parish also publishes weekly bulletins, posts homilies online, and offers livestream of Mass on its website.
Capital Campaign
Saint Anne has an active capital campaign highlighted on its website, continuing the parish's long tradition of investing in its facilities and grounds.
Visit & Contact
Saint Anne Catholic Church is located at 1321 Braman Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501, at the corner of 14th Street. The parish office can be reached at 701-223-1549 (fax 701-250-9214). To become a parish member, or to arrange for Baptism, Marriage, or OCIA, parishioners are invited to call the parish office or stop in at the address above.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Arnold Spain1957 (founding)
Named first pastor by Bishop Hillary Hacker when Saint Anne was established as an independent parish.