About St. Charles · Bayport, Minnesota
The Church of St. Charles is a Roman Catholic parish in Bayport, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Established in 1943 by Archbishop John Murray to serve the growing Catholic community of the St. Croix Valley, it is currently pastored by Fr. Bruno Nwachukwu and works closely with neighboring parishes as a Tri-Parish community with St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater. The parish administers the historic St. Michael's Cemetery and offers daily and weekly Masses, reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, and a wide array of lay ministries for its members.
- Established
- 1943
- Patron
- St. Charles Borromeo
- Rector
- Fr. Bruno Nwachukwu
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Charles offers a personal-sized parish with multiple weekly Masses (Saturday evening and two Sunday morning Masses), daily Mass Monday through Thursday, regular confession times, mid-week Eucharistic adoration, and a genuine Tri-Parish community with St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater. Parishioners can get involved through the Faith Formation program, RCIA/OCIA, the Men's Club, a Respect Life Committee, Funeral Luncheon Committee, Befriender Ministry (visiting the homebound and Croixdale), and liturgical roles as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality Ministers, and gardeners. The parish also stewards the historic St. Michael's Cemetery, giving members a tangible way to serve the wider St. Croix Valley.
Mass times at St. Charles
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
- Tuesday 11:30–11:55 AM
- Thursday 11:30–11:55 AM
- Wednesday 8:30–9:30 AM (during Adoration, when Father is available)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30–9:30 AM
History of St. Charles Parish
Established in 1943 by Archbishop John Murray, the parish was charged to Father Francis Miller, who celebrated the first Mass on July 18, 1943, in the People's Congregational Church. The church we know today was begun in August 1952 by George W. Olson Construction, with cornerstone laid March 10, 1954, by Father Miller and dedication by Archbishop Murray on September 15, 1954. Founded by 65 families and shepherded over the years by sixteen priests, the parish now works closely with St. Michael and St. Mary as a Tri-Parish community in the St. Croix Valley.
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Charles is pastored by Fr. Bruno Nwachukwu and supported by an Office Manager / Safe Environment Coordinator and a Cemetery Manager. Parish business office hours are 9 AM–3 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; an after-hours pastoral emergency line is available at 952-259-3795.
- Pastor: Fr. Bruno Nwachukwu
- Office Manager & Safe Environment Coordinator: Laura Kuschel
- St. Michael's Cemetery Manager: Leah Metzger
- Parish Office: 651-439-4511 | [email protected]
- After-hours pastoral emergency: 952-259-3795
Faith Formation and OCIA / RCIA
St. Charles runs a Tri-Parish Faith Formation Program with St. Michael and St. Mary, and a Tri-Parish OCIA / RCIA Program for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church. A 2025–2026 Initiation Inquiry Form is published on the parish website.
- Tri-Parish Faith Formation Program
- Tri-Parish OCIA / RCIA Program
- 2025–2026 Initiation Inquiry Form and Syllabus available online
Lay Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
The parish provides training for all liturgical ministries and offers several non-liturgical ways for parishioners to serve. The Men's Club, Respect Life Committee, Funeral Luncheon Committee, and Befriender Ministry are open to men and women of the parish who want to grow in faith and serve neighbors.
- Lector Ministry (must be Confirmed, at least 16 years old)
- Eucharistic Minister / Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Hospitality Minister — Usher / Greeter
- Befriender Ministry (visits to homebound and Croixdale; weekly rosary and Communion)
- Gardening Ministry (Charles Mowing and Snow Removal)
- St. Charles Men's Club
- Tri-Parish Respect Life Committee
- Funeral Luncheon Committee
St. Michael's Cemetery
Located in the heart of the St. Croix Valley alongside the scenic St. Croix River bluffs, St. Michael's Cemetery is a 17.6-acre historic cemetery originally opened in 1873. It is supported jointly by the Churches of St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater and administered by the Church of St. Charles in Bayport, with more than 7,000 interments to date. Bishop Izen is scheduled to bless two new columbaria on July 17 at 10 AM. The cemetery hosts an annual Memorial Day outdoor Mass in honor of veterans, organized with the American Legion.
- Cemetery Physical Address: 700 Fifth Avenue N., Bayport, MN 55003
- Cemetery Mailing Address: 409 N. 3rd St., Bayport, MN 55003
- Cemetery Hours: Apr 2–Nov 1: 8 AM–9 PM; Nov 2–Apr 1: 8 AM–5 PM
- Cemetery Manager: Leah Metzger — 651-439-4511
- Annual Memorial Day outdoor Mass in partnership with the American Legion
- New columbaria blessing with Bishop Izen scheduled (July 17, 10 AM)
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The parish celebrates the sacraments of Baptism and Marriage (records of both date back to 1943), Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharistic Adoration. Parishioners who are hospitalized, homebound, anticipating or recovering from surgery, or receiving hospice care may request the sacraments or a pastoral visit by calling the parish office.
- Baptism and Marriage preparation
- Reconciliation — Sat 3:00–4:00 PM and weekday times listed
- Anointing of the Sick on request
- Communion and rosary visits to Croixdale weekly via the Befriender Ministry
Safe Environment and Reporting Abuse
The parish publishes contact information for Safe Environment, Victim Assistance, and Reporting Abuse Resources through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, coordinated locally by Safe Environment Coordinator Laura Kuschel.
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Laura Kuschel
- Archdiocesan Victim Assistance and Reporting Abuse resources linked from the parish site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Miller1943–?
First pastor; organized the parish, celebrated the first Mass on July 18, 1943, laid the cornerstone on March 10, 1954, and was present at the dedication on September 15, 1954.