About St. Augustine · Austin, Minnesota
St. Augustine is a Roman Catholic parish in Austin, Minnesota, in the Diocese of Winona. Founded in 1866 and worshipping in a striking Gothic Revival brick church completed in 1896, the parish is today clustered with its neighbor St. Edward Church, sharing clergy and faith-formation staff under Pastor Fr. Andrew Beerman. The 600-seat sanctuary has housed generations of Catholic faithful in south-central Minnesota and remains a center for sacraments, faith formation, and parish life.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- St. Augustine of Hippo
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew Beerman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona (Diocese of Winona-Rochester)
Why belong here
St. Augustine's offers the beauty of a 19th-century Gothic Revival sanctuary, faithful daily and weekend Mass, the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion, and a robust Faith Formation program that includes Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for preschoolers through youth ministry for older students. As a clustered parish with St. Edward's under Fr. Andrew Beerman and Fr. Thien Nguyen, members find multiple ways to pray, serve, and grow — from adult small groups and discipleship opportunities to bringing Holy Communion to the homebound. Fr. Beerman and the staff welcome newcomers warmly and invite all to 'find new friends here to journey with you into a closer relationship with God.'
Mass times at St. Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Mass at St. Augustine (Wednesdays and Sundays, per parish schedule)
- Saturdays before vigil Mass at St. Augustine (per parish schedule)
Parish History of St. Augustine
St. Augustine's Parish was officially established in 1866, when the first church building was completed. The community traces its origin to 1857, when a few scattered Catholic families in and around the village of Austin were visited by Fr. Michael Prendergast, who offered Mass at the home of Thomas Gibson. Periodic visits from Fr. George Keller of Faribault led to the building of that first mission church in 1863, with Fr. John McDermott becoming the first resident pastor in June 1867.
- 1857 – Fr. Michael Prendergast of Winona offers the first Mass for Austin-area Catholics
- 1863 – Building of the first mission church begins under Fr. George Keller
- 1866 – Parish officially established
- 1867 – Fr. John McDermott arrives as first resident pastor
- 1868 – Bishop Thomas Grace of St. Paul dedicates the original church and confirms the first class
- 1872 – Parish school opens under the Sisters of St. Dominic of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin
- 1894 – Bishop Joseph Cotter lays cornerstone of present church, April 24
- 1896 – Fr. Daniel O'Sullivan dies June 21; Fr. Edward Devlin completes the building
- November 26, 1896 – Present church dedicated
- 1909 – Columbus School built, staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester
- 1925 – St. Augustine High School added to the parish plant
- 1933 – Msgr. John Peschges appointed pastor; Queen of Angels parish established
- 1960 – St. Edward's parish established in Austin
- 1976 – Lightning fire destroys the 140-foot steeple
- 2018 – Major interior renovation and restoration
Clergy, Staff & Trustees
St. Augustine and St. Edward parishes share pastoral leadership and parish staff. Two priests serve the cluster, supported by administrative, bookkeeping, formation, and maintenance personnel. Lay trustees from each parish serve alongside the pastor on the parish corporation board.
- Rev. Andrew Beerman – Pastor
- Rev. Thien Nguyen – Parochial Vicar
- Mary Hoffmann – Administrative Assistant
- Rod Kollman – Bookkeeper
- Jacinta Nguyen – Director of Faith Formation
- James Hebrink – Maintenance
- Vu Lee – Maintenance
- St. Augustine Trustees: Steve King, Sheri Willrodt
- St. Edward Trustees: Gary Bickler, Sue Srock
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers a tiered Faith Formation program running on Wednesday evenings during the school year, alongside the Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program for the youngest learners. Sacramental preparation is offered separately for First Confession/First Communion (2nd grade and older) and Confirmation (10th grade and older).
- Faith Formation for Grades 1–6 (traditional classroom format)
- Youth Ministry for Grades 7–10 (small-group catechesis, prayer, games)
- Sacramental prep for First Confession/First Communion
- Confirmation prep for 10th grade and older
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Level 1 (Preschool–K), afternoon and evening sessions
- Family Holy Hour kickoff for the new formation year
- $20 per student, $20 additional for sacramental prep
Discipleship & Volunteer Opportunities
The parish invites parishioners to share their gifts in a wide range of roles across both St. Augustine and St. Edward, from liturgical service to outreach to the homebound and the practical upkeep of parish facilities.
- Catechists for Faith Formation
- Chaperones for Youth Events
- Altar Servers
- Homebound visits and rides
- Funeral workers
- Visiting the sick in nursing homes
- Office work volunteers
- Weekday vacuuming and cleaning help
Sacraments
In addition to ongoing Faith Formation, the parish prepares and celebrates the Sacraments of First Confession/First Communion and Confirmation each year. Reconciliation is offered before Mass. Families are encouraged to call the parish office for Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral arrangements.
- Reconciliation (Confession) before Mass
- First Confession / First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Funeral — contact parish office
Architecture & Building
The present church of St. Augustine is a Gothic Revival landmark of Austin, Minnesota. Built of red pressed brick with red sandstone trim quarried at Bayfield, Wisconsin, the building measures approximately 169 feet long by 77 feet wide, with a 600-seat sanctuary. A lightning-caused fire in 1976 destroyed the 140-foot steeple; a major interior renovation and restoration was completed in 2018.
- Gothic Revival style, completed November 26, 1896
- Red pressed brick exterior with red sandstone trim
- 169 ft long × 77 ft wide; sanctuary seats 600+
- 140-ft steeple lost to 1976 lightning fire
- Major interior renovation and restoration completed in 2018
Cluster Partner: St. Edward Parish
St. Augustine is clustered with its neighbor St. Edward Church, established in Austin in 1960. The two parishes share clergy and staff under Fr. Andrew Beerman and Fr. Thien Nguyen, and offer Mass and formation opportunities across both sites.
- St. Edward address: 2000 Oakland Ave W, Austin, MN 55912
- Shared clergy: Fr. Andrew Beerman and Fr. Thien Nguyen
- Mass also celebrated at St. Edward on Wednesday and Saturday
Joining the Parish
In a personal welcome, Fr. Andrew Beerman invites new parishioners to register with either St. Augustine or St. Edward by calling the parish office. The parish describes itself as 'a warm and inviting place in which to nurture your Catholic faith and grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ,' with many opportunities to pray, celebrate, and serve.
- Register by calling 507-437-4537
- Welcome message from Fr. Andrew Beerman
- Discipleship and ministry opportunities across both parishes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Michael Prendergast1857–1860 (visits)
Pastor from Winona who first offered Mass for Catholic families in Austin at the home of Thomas Gibson on November 2, 1857.
- Fr. George Keller1861–1866 (visits)
Pastor of Faribault under whose supervision the first Austin mission church was begun in 1863.
- Fr. John McDermott1867–
First resident pastor of St. Augustine's Parish.
- Fr. Genis1872 (approx.)
Opened the parish school staffed by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
- Fr. Daniel O'Sullivanto 1896
Planned and brought the present Gothic Revival church nearly to completion; cornerstone laid April 24, 1894; died June 21, 1896.
- Fr. Edward Devlin1896–
Succeeded O'Sullivan and completed the church, which was dedicated November 26, 1896; during his pastorate Columbus School was built in 1909.
- Msgr. John Peschges1933–
Appointed pastor the same year Bishop Francis Kelly established Queen of Angels as a second Austin parish.