About St. Boniface Catholic Church · Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Boniface Catholic Church is a historic Northeast Minneapolis parish founded in 1858 — just one year before Minnesota became a state — to serve the German Catholic immigrants streaming into the St. Anthony area. It is one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic parishes in Minneapolis and is currently served by Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis clergy after nearly 140 years under Benedictine priests from St. John's Abbey, Collegeville. The present Byzantine-style church, completed in 1929 on the corner of 2nd Street and 7th Avenue NE, is renowned for its stained glass, its 95-foot bell tower, and the sculpted Twelve Apostles over its entrance, and it remains a source of pride for the surrounding neighborhood.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Boniface (patron apostle of Germany; Benedictine monk and first bishop of Germany)
- Rector
- Rev. David Ostrowski (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Parishioners find at St. Boniface a small, welcoming bilingual church (English and French) rooted in more than 165 years of continuous Catholic worship in Northeast Minneapolis. The parish emphasizes dignified liturgy and ongoing Catholic education, accompanied by works of charity and justice rooted in the parish's Benedictine and Jesuit heritage — making it a fitting spiritual home for those seeking a historic, mission-minded community in the heart of the city.
Mass times at St. Boniface Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (following the 9:00 AM Mass)
Parish History
St. Boniface was founded in 1858 by Fr. Francis X. Weninger, a German missionary priest, together with thirteen charter members. The first church was built on the corner of 3rd Street and 15th Avenue NE, then relocated to Main Street between 10th and 11th Avenues NE before being moved to its present corner at 2nd Street and 7th Avenue NE in 1899. Construction of the current Byzantine-style church began in 1928 and was completed in 1929, even during the Great Depression the parish paid off its debts, and the finished church has been a source of pride for the surrounding neighborhood ever since.
- Founded 1858 (one year before Minnesota statehood)
- Began under Fr. Francis X. Weninger with 13 charter members
- First church at 3rd St & 15th Ave NE (built 1857–1859)
- Relocated to Main St between 10th & 11th Avenues NE
- Present cornerstone acquired 1899; old church demolished June 1899
- Basement-only 'catacombs' used 1899–1929
- Upper church built 1928–1929
Benedictine Heritage
Benedictine priests from St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota served St. Boniface for nearly the entire span of the parish's life — from its founding through the summer of 1998 — with the sole exception of the post–Civil War years 1865 to 1874. When diocesan clergy resumed pastoral care of the parish in 1998, it marked the end of an era of nearly 140 years of Benedictine service and the beginning of the parish's current chapter under the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
- Benedictine service: c. 1858–1865 and 1874–1998
- Gap in Benedictine service: 1865–1874 (post–Civil War)
- Diocesan priests resumed care: summer 1998
Church Architecture & Building
St. Boniface's present church is a Byzantine Revival structure designed by Minneapolis architect Charles Hausler. The building is constructed of brick trimmed with white Bedford stone and mosaic tiles, has a tan tapestry finish, and measures 175 by 60 feet with transepts 85 feet across and a 95-foot bell tower. The Second Street façade features arches with images of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, with the Twelve Apostles sculpted in stone across the front. Two bells donated and dedicated in the 1950s hang in the bell tower, and the interior is notable for its stunning stained glass.
- Byzantine Revival style by architect Charles Hausler
- 175 ft x 60 ft; transepts 85 ft across; 95 ft bell tower
- Seating capacity of approximately 1,000 (plus choir/organ balcony)
- Façade: arches depicting the Holy Trinity; sculpted Twelve Apostles
- Two bells in the tower, donated and dedicated in the 1950s
- Notable stained glass
Parish School & Convent History
By 1905 the parish had grown enough that the community built a parish school to meet local demand for Catholic education. In 1912 a new convent on the north side of University Avenue and a rectory (built for $14,624, adjoining the church basement) were added to serve the sisters and priests running the parish.
- Parish school built by 1905
- New convent and rectory constructed in 1912
- Rectory built for $14,624; praised for its period woodwork
Mission & Parish Identity
St. Boniface's stated mission is 'To share the gifts that God has entrusted to us by being Christ to one another, mindful of His unconditional love.' The parish sees itself as a worshiping, educating, and charitable presence in Northeast Minneapolis, with a focus on dignified liturgies, continuing Catholic education, and works of charity and justice.
- Mission: being Christ to one another
- Focus: dignified liturgy, Catholic education, charity and justice
- Welcoming Catholic community serving Northeast Minneapolis for over 165 years
Sacramental Life
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons before the anticipatory Mass. Eucharistic Adoration follows the Thursday morning Mass, and the parish notes that sacraments of Christian initiation, marriage, and anointing may be arranged by contacting the parish office.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursday 9:30–10:30 AM (after the 9:00 AM Mass)
- Other sacraments available by contacting the parish office
Parish Leadership & Staff
St. Boniface is led by a Parochial Administrator supported by a Sacramental Minister, an Administrative Assistant, two elected Trustees, and the Parish and Finance Council.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. David Ostrowski
- Sacramental Minister: Rev. Sojan Thomas, CFIC
- Administrative Assistant: Cece Ryan ([email protected])
- Trustees: Angela Bissoy and Patricia Foss
- Parish and Finance Council: Angela Bissoy, Mark Erpelding, Patricia Foss, Michael Olson, Cece Ryan
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; appointments are available at other times by phone. The parish can also be reached by email.
- Office Phone: 612-379-2761
- Church Hall: 612-379-2699
- Email: [email protected]
- Administrative Assistant email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Thursday & Friday 10 AM – 2 PM (other times by appointment)
- Mass audio in parking lot: FM 88.7
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis X. Weninger, S.J. (missionary priest)1856/57–1858+
German Jesuit missionary who organized the 13 charter members and began construction of the first church.
- Benedictine priests from St. John's Abbey, Collegevillec. 1858–1865 and 1874–1998
Served the parish for most of its history with the exception of 1865–1874 (post–Civil War era).
- Diocesan priests (Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis)1998–present
Diocesan clergy resumed pastoral care of St. Boniface beginning in the summer of 1998.