St. Francis Xavier

About St. Francis Xavier

The Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier is built on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the values of its founding families. According to the parish's own vision statement, the community sees the beauty, power, and majesty of God's love all around it in the St. Croix Valley, and the rural traditions of the founding families have formed the close ties parishioners share with one another. It is the parish's stated desire to continue these traditions of stewardship — praying that the growth and enthusiasm created by those who have gone before will inspire those who follow.

History & Founding

The parish was established in 1884 through the generosity and determination of John Peter Greene and his wife Marie (Mary) Hoppe, who deeded the property to the Archdiocese of St. Paul in May 1884. Henry Rochel and his wife Antoinette Hoppe, Bernard Thomskemper and his wife Addie Hoppe, along with the Greenes, were all instrumental in raising funds for the original chapel, which still stands on the site. Starting with 10 families, St. Francis Xavier now has over 100 families, sharing a pastor with St. Joseph in Taylors Falls.

• May 24, 1884: Peter Greene deeds 1.5 acres to Rev. Rupert Seidenbush for $1.00 (recorded at the Center City courthouse).
• September 13, 1884: Henry Rochel is the first person buried in the parish cemetery.
• 1900: An additional 1.5 acres are donated to the church for use as a permanent cemetery.
• 1948: Becomes a mission of Taylors Falls under first resident pastor Rev. F. E. Shea.
• 1950: Church building is moved down the hill to its present location and enlarged.

Parish Staff & Contacts

Parish operations and faith-formation programs are coordinated through the shared parish office at St. Joseph in Taylors Falls (540 River Street). The office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, and can be reached at 651.465.7345.

• Pastor — Fr. John Drees ([email protected]; direct line 651.465.7345 ext. 3; emergency ext. 9)
• Office Administrator & Safe Environment Coordinator — Troy Aanonsen ([email protected]; ext. 2)
• Director of Religious Education — Julie Novak ([email protected]; 715.977.2031)
• St. Francis Xavier Prayer Network — Rose Ann Hawley (651.275.5930)
• Eucharistic Adoration — Marilyn Strege (763.425.7574)

Parish Committees & Organizations

St. Francis Xavier has its own parish and finance councils, as well as a long-standing Altar & Rosary Society that continues the parish's tradition of lay stewardship established by the founding families.

• St. Francis Xavier Parish Council
• St. Francis Xavier Finance Council
• St. Francis Xavier Altar & Rosary Society

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious education for the parish cluster is led by Julie Novak, Director of Religious Education. The program supports youth faith formation for both St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier families, and the parish also hosts youth social nights during the summer months (July and August).

• Director of Religious Education: Julie Novak
• Youth Social Night sign-ups (July & August)
• Becoming Catholic (RCIA) inquiry — see parish office

Men's & Women's Ministries

The cluster supports adult faith formation through a men's group and a women's group. Both meet in the Church Office Basement at St. Joseph's and are open to parishioners from St. Francis Xavier as well.

• Men's Group — 1st and 3rd Thursday, 7:30–8:30 PM
• Men's Night — TBA
• Growing in Virtue Women's Group — 5-week retreat through the Acts of the Apostles, Tuesdays 8:45–9:45 AM (contact Misty Marshall, 651-260-0805)

St. Francis Xavier Cemetery

The parish cemetery adjoins the church property directly east of the church building in the rolling farmland of southern Chisago County. The first burial — that of founding parishioner Henry Rochel — took place on September 13, 1884, and in 1900 an additional 1.5 acres were donated to expand the cemetery to its present size. The cemetery remains an active ministry of the parish and is governed by published rules and regulations.

• Physical address: 25267 Redwing Avenue, Shafer, MN 55074
• Mailing address: P.O. Box 234, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
• Published Cemetery Rules and Regulations available from the parish office

Contact, Location & Visiting

Visitors and parishioners can reach the shared parish office by phone, email, or postal mail. The parish mailing address (P.O. Box 234, Taylors Falls, MN 55084) serves both St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier, and the physical church is located at 25267 Redwing Avenue in Shafer.

• Parish Office: 540 River Street, Taylors Falls, MN 55084 — open Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
• Phone: 651.465.7345
• Email: [email protected]
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 234, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
• Church of St. Francis Xavier: 25267 Redwing Avenue, Shafer, MN 55074
• Pastoral Emergency: 651.465.7345 ext. 9