About St. Agnes · Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Church of Saint Agnes is a historic Catholic parish in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, founded in 1887 by Archbishop John Ireland to serve German-speaking immigrants who had come to work for the Great Northern Railway. The present monumental Baroque church, seating 1,000 and crowned by a 205-foot copper onion-domed bell tower, was completed in 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Long celebrated for its reverence for the Sacred Liturgy and its treasury of sacred music — including Gregorian chant and orchestral Masses with the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale — Saint Agnes is also home to Saint Agnes School, the only parish-sponsored PreK-12 Catholic school remaining in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- Saint Agnes of Rome
- Rector
- Rev. John L. Ubel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Saint Agnes offers a rare combination in the Upper Midwest: a thriving historic parish anchored in the reverent celebration of both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite, with daily and Sunday Masses in both English and Latin, regular Eucharistic adoration, and a treasury of sacred music — from Gregorian chant to orchestral Masses of the Viennese classical tradition — supported by the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale and members of the Minnesota Orchestra. Families can also send their children to Saint Agnes School, the only parish-sponsored PreK-12 Catholic school remaining in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Add a committed clergy team, a parish school of more than 800 students, an active devotion schedule (Tuesday Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, First Friday adoration, Sunday Vespers and Benediction), and a parish rooted in the Frogtown neighborhood since 1887, and Saint Agnes is a fitting spiritual home for Catholics seeking beauty, tradition, and community.
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays 6:30–7:00 PM (Chapel, before the Novena)
- First Fridays 4:00–5:00 PM (Chapel)
- Saturdays 3:30–5:00 PM (Church)
Adoration times
- First Fridays 7:00 AM–5:00 PM (Chapel)
- Saturdays 3:30–5:00 PM (Church)
History and Architecture of the Church
Founded in 1887 by Archbishop John Ireland to serve the German-speaking Catholic immigrants of Saint Paul's Frogtown neighborhood, Saint Agnes is now housed in a striking Baroque church built between 1909 and 1912. Designed by architect George Ries together with Father John M. Solnce, the building was modeled on the abbey church of Kloster Schlägl, a Premonstratensian monastery in Upper Austria. Its Indiana-limestone façade, monumental staircase, three grand entrance doors, and 205-foot copper Zwiebelturm (onion-domed bell tower) make it one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Saint Paul skyline. The church was dedicated by Archbishop Ireland on June 9, 1912, consecrated by Bishop Robert J. Carlson on February 14, 1988, during the parish's centennial year, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Founded October 26, 1887 by Archbishop John Ireland
- First pastor: Father James Trobec (later Bishop of Saint Cloud)
- Current church built 1909–1912 in the Baroque style
- Modeled on Stift Schlägl, Upper Austria
- Indiana limestone exterior, red tile roof, copper onion dome at 205 feet
- Seats 1,000; National Register of Historic Places
The Maria Hilf Chapel and Interior Treasures
To the left of the main entrance sits the Maria Hilf chapel, dedicated to Mary, Help of Christians. It contains a replica of a painting from Vienna's Mariahilfkirche on the Mariahilferstrasse, painted for the parish by Viennese artist Joseph Kastner at the request of Father Solnce, who had a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin under this title. Inside the main church, a marble altar with a mosaic of the Crucifixion (with the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John) was installed in 1930, and the brass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were salvaged from the former Minnesota State Capitol building on Wabasha and Exchange Streets.
- Maria Hilf chapel with replica of Vienna painting
- Marble altar with mosaic of the Crucifixion (1930)
- Brass chandeliers from the old Minnesota State Capitol
- Stained glass windows installed 1930
The Bell Tower and Its Four Named Bells
The 205-foot tower houses four bells cast in two foundries and blessed at different moments in the parish's history. Bishop James Trobec blessed the first three — cast at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore — on May 18, 1913, and Bishop Alphonse Schladweiler of New Ulm blessed a fourth, cast at the Petit and Fritsen Foundry at Aarle-Rixtel in Holland, on August 15, 1990. Each bell has its own name, weight, and tone, and they continue to mark the rhythm of parish and city life — ringing the Angelus, calling to Mass, tolling at 3 PM each Friday for the Death of Christ, and ringing joyfully each Saturday evening at 8 PM to announce Sunday's Resurrection.
- John (1,683 lbs, F) — named for Father John Solnce
- Agnes (2,332 lbs, E) — patroness of the parish
- Anthony (3,300 lbs, D) — gift of the Antonius Society
- Richard (5,665 lbs, B) — installed for Msgr. Richard J. Schuler's 45th jubilee
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently served by a team of three priests and a permanent deacon. The pastor, Rev. John L. Ubel, is a native of Saint Paul ordained in 1989 who served Saint Agnes from 2006 to 2012 before returning for a second term after twelve years as Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul. He is assisted by Rev. James McConville (Sacramental Minister, JCL, former Adjutant Judicial Vicar for the archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal and U.S. Army chaplain), Rev. Paul Baker (Parochial Vicar, ordained 2017, school chaplain and theology teacher), and Deacon Nathan Allen (ordained 2000, lawyer and Metropolitan Tribunal judge). Lay staff include Neal Abbott (Business Administrator), Joe Hermerding (Finance Manager), Megan Fernlund (Office Manager), and Anne Peiris (Communications).
- Rev. John L. Ubel — Pastor
- Rev. James McConville — Sacramental Minister
- Rev. Paul Baker — Parochial Vicar (also school chaplain)
- Deacon Nathan Allen
- Neal Abbott — Business Administrator
- Joe Hermerding — Finance Manager
- Megan Fernlund — Office Manager
- Anne Peiris — Communications
Sacred Music and the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale
Saint Agnes has a long, distinguished tradition of Gregorian chant and the orchestral Masses of the Viennese classical repertoire. Under Monsignor Richard J. Schuler's pastorate (1969–2007) the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale — joined by members of the Minnesota Orchestra — performed Masses by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert at the Solemn Latin Mass. CD recordings of these services have been distributed by Leaflet Missal Co., and the tradition continues at the Sunday 10:30 AM Latin Sung Mass with Schola. Father James McConville, the parish's Sacramental Minister, is also noted for his musicianship and appreciation for sacred music and opera.
- Twin Cities Catholic Chorale
- Sunday 10:30 AM Latin Sung Mass with Schola
- Saturday 8:00 AM Latin Mass with Schola
- Orchestral Masses in the Viennese tradition
- Gregorian chant at every Latin Mass
Saint Agnes School (PreK-12)
Saint Agnes School is the only parish-sponsored PreK-12 Catholic school remaining in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, enrolling roughly 830 students from more than 80 zip codes. Coeducational and classically oriented, the school forms students in faith, reason, and virtue with 19 Honors and 11 AP preparatory courses in the high school. Students attend Mass in the church at least weekly, with regular opportunities for Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and other traditional devotions. The school also sponsors an extensive choral program (Grade School Choirs, Junior High Choirs, Concert Chorale, and the highly selective Madrigals), competitive MSHSL athletics, formation retreats, service apostolates, and annual vocation pilgrimages to France, Italy, Spain, and the Holy Land.
- PreK-12 coed Catholic school; ~830 students from 80+ zip codes
- Only parish-sponsored PreK-12 school in the Archdiocese
- Weekly Mass plus regular Confession and Adoration
- 19 Honors courses; 11 AP preparatory courses
- Concert Chorale and Madrigals
- Service club, Pro-Life club, Militia Immaculata, Troops of Saint George
- Vocation pilgrimages (France, Italy, Spain, Holy Land)
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and on Fridays from 8:00 AM to noon. Visitors and new parishioners are warmly welcomed, and a link on the parish website allows easy online registration. Phone, email buttons for the pastor and business administrator, and a parish office message form are all available from the parish's Contact page.
- Address: 535 Thomas Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55103
- Phone: (651) 925-8800
- Fax: (651) 925-8808
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–Noon
- Online parishioner registration via the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Trobec1887-1897
Slovenian-born priest appointed by Archbishop Ireland to organize the parish; later consecrated third Bishop of Saint Cloud in 1897.
- Father John M. Solnce (John Solace)1897-1912
Born in Carniola (Austria); came to the U.S. with Trobec; oversaw construction of the present Baroque church and its dedication in 1912.
- Monsignor Anthony Ogulin1912-1933
Succeeded Father Solnce; served the parish through the post-dedication decades.
- Father John C. Gruden
Oversaw completion of the lower chapel in 1948, seating 250, with meeting rooms, a brides' room, auditorium, and kitchen.
- Monsignor Richard J. Schuler1969-2007
Long-tenured pastor who built the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale and the parish's tradition of orchestral Masses; died April 20, 2007.
- Rev. John L. Ubel2006-2012, and again currently
Native of St. Paul; ordained 1989; previously Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul for 12 years; returned for a second term as pastor.