About St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church · Hopkins, Minnesota
St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church is a bilingual Catholic parish serving Hopkins, Minnesota, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish was formed in 2013 through the merger of two long-standing Hopkins parishes — St. Joseph (founded 1922) on Mainstreet and St. John the Evangelist (founded 1950) in the Interlachen Park neighborhood — and now operates primarily from the Mainstreet campus at 1310 Mainstreet, where a major campus renovation was underway as of 2024. In addition to an active English-speaking community, St. Gabriel is home to a vibrant Latino community with Spanish-language Mass, faith formation, and cultural events, and it sponsors both Notre Dame Academy (a PreK-8 regional Catholic school in Minnetonka) and Chesterton Academy, a classical Catholic high school located on the Mainstreet campus.
- Established
- 2013
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Father Paul Haverstock
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Gabriel the Archangel is one of the few parishes in the western Twin Cities metro where an active English-speaking community and a vibrant Latino community share one home, with a weekly Sunday Mass celebrated entirely in Spanish alongside three English Masses. The parish offers daily Mass and confessions Monday through Friday, a full day of Eucharistic adoration six days a week, a K-8 partner school (Notre Dame Academy) and an on-site classical Catholic high school (Chesterton Academy), a robust Faith Formation program for grades 1-7, OCIA for adults, and outreach ministries such as Loaves & Fishes, the BeFriender listening ministry, and the 'In His Time' infertility support group — all anchored on a downtown Hopkins campus currently being renewed for its next century.
Mass times at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday, 12:00–1:00 PM
- Saturday, 3:30–4:20 PM
- Sunday, 12:30–1:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
About St. Gabriel the Archangel
St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church is a bilingual Catholic parish in Hopkins, Minnesota, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It was created in 2013 by merging St. Joseph Parish (Mainstreet, founded 1922) with St. John the Evangelist Parish (Interlachen Park, founded 1950). Today the parish operates from the Mainstreet campus at 1310 Mainstreet, where a major renovation was underway as of 2024.
Parish History
The Catholic roots of Hopkins run through three earlier communities. St. Mary of Hopkins was founded in 1895, and St. Margaret's of Minnetonka in 1879; those two parishes merged into St. Joseph in 1922. St. John the Evangelist was founded in 1950 to serve the Interlachen Park neighborhood. In 2013 the two parishes merged under the new name St. Gabriel the Archangel, and about a decade later the parish consolidated onto the Mainstreet campus and sold the Interlachen campus.
- St. Mary of Hopkins founded 1895
- St. Margaret's of Minnetonka founded 1879
- St. Joseph founded 1922
- St. John the Evangelist founded 1950
- St. Gabriel the Archangel formed 2013
- Interlachen campus consolidated and sold ~2023
Two Campuses, One Parish
Until recently the parish used two campuses named for its founding parishes. The St. Joseph campus at 1310 Mainstreet is the historic downtown Hopkins church with stained-glass windows and a tradition of perpetual adoration. The St. John campus at 6 Interlachen Road, recipient of numerous architectural awards, has been sold, and all activities now take place at the Mainstreet campus.
- St. Joseph / Mainstreet campus — 1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins
- St. John / Interlachen Park campus — 6 Interlachen Road, Hopkins (sold)
- St. Joseph campus features beautiful stained glass
- St. John campus received numerous architectural awards
Our Staff
The parish staff is led by its pastor and supported by clergy, directors, and coordinators for music, faith formation, Latino ministry, operations, and member care.
- Fr. Paul Haverstock — Pastor (parochial administrator 2020; installed pastor July 4, 2021; ordained 2016 by Archbishop Hebda)
- Deacon Darrel Branch — joined St. John the Evangelist 1968, ordained Permanent Deacon 2004, serves at St. Gabriel since 2013 (Baptism & Marriage prep, Loaves & Fishes, In His Time)
- Deacon Francis — ordained Permanent Deacon 1996, originally assigned to St. Joseph, continues at St. Gabriel (funeral Masses and burial assistance)
- Andrew Allen — Director of Evangelization & Catechesis (since July 2021; M.A. Theology, University of St. Thomas, 2013)
- Ingrid Inostroza — Latino Ministry Coordinator (since August 2023)
- Breck McGough — Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy
- Eric — Operations Manager / Parish Business Administrator
- Lori Thul — Member Care / St. Margaret's Cemetery liaison
Catholic Schools & Formation
St. Gabriel helps form young Catholics from preschool through high school through two partner schools, and runs faith formation for parish children and adults year-round.
Notre Dame Academy (PreK–8)
Notre Dame Academy (NDA) was established in 2013 by St. Gabriel the Archangel and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka. It is a regional PreK–Grade 8 Catholic school serving more than a dozen districts, accredited by MNSAA, NAEYC, and Lumen, located on the Immaculate Heart of Mary campus in Minnetonka. Its building dates to 1951 with expansions in 1953 and 2004.
Chesterton Academy
Chesterton Academy, a joyfully Catholic, classical high school, is located on the St. Gabriel / Mainstreet campus in Hopkins. It partners with the parish on programs such as Emmaus Family Nights and Men of Virtue.
Parish Faith Formation (Grades 1–7)
St. Gabriel's catechists use the Faith and Life curriculum from Ignatius Press (in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church). Classes meet Wednesday evenings 6:00–7:30 PM, September through May, at Chesterton Academy, ending each night with a large-group prayer. The curriculum follows a one-year cycle for Grades 1–5 (salvation history), with Grade 6 focused on the moral law, the Mass, and Eucharistic adoration, and Grade 7 on the seven sacraments, grace, and the virtues.
- Wednesday evenings 6:00–7:30 PM at Chesterton Academy
- Faith and Life series from Ignatius Press
- Monthly family Emmaus nights
- Advent and Lenten prayer opportunities
Confirmation
Eighth-grade students prepare for Confirmation celebrated in May at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Older youth who are not yet confirmed are also invited to participate. The year includes fellowship, NET retreats, study of the faith, and activities designed to deepen conversion.
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
St. Gabriel welcomes non-baptized adults, baptized Christians from other traditions, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or Eucharist. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults begins with the Discovering Christ series and proceeds through study, spiritual formation, and the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. Deacon Darrel Branch serves as a sponsor and the OCIA team walks each inquirer through the process.
- Open to non-baptized adults, other Christians, and uncatechized Catholics
- Begins with Discovering Christ
- Contact: Andrew Allen, 952-540-4762
Adult Formation
Through the Discovering Christ series and ongoing offerings, adults can explore the Catholic faith in a warm, friendly, judgment-free environment. Contact: Andrew Allen at 952-540-4762 or [email protected].
Latino Ministry
Beyond the Spanish Sunday Mass, St. Gabriel's Latino community — coordinated by Ingrid Inostroza since August 2023 — has its own faith formation program, special cultural events, and community life within the parish.
- Sunday Mass in Spanish at 1:00 PM
- Coordinator: Ingrid Inostroza
- Faith formation program in Spanish
- Special cultural events throughout the year
Parish Ministries & Service
Parishioners can get involved both inside the parish (greeters, donut Sundays, office help, children's ministry, gardening, facilities care, sacred music) and outside it (Loaves & Fishes, ICA Food Shelf, Dinner at your Door, nursing home visits, the rummage sale).
- Greeters
- Donut Sundays
- Children's Ministry assistant
- Gardening and facilities care
- Rummage Sale
- Office Help
- Sacred Music
Outreach & Charity
Loaves & Fishes, coordinated by Deacon Darrel Branch, serves free, healthy food to those in need four days a week at the Mainstreet campus. The parish also partners with the ICA Food Shelf and supports 'Dinner at your Door' and a Nursing Home Assistant ministry.
- Loaves & Fishes — 4 days/week at Mainstreet
- ICA Food Shelf
- Dinner at your Door
- Nursing Home Assistant
Member Care
St. Gabriel's Member Care ministry walks with parishioners through illness, grief, infertility, and end-of-life needs. It includes the BeFriender listening ministry, the 'In His Time' Catholic infertility support group, and lay Eucharistic ministers who bring Communion to the homebound, those recovering from hospital stays, and residents of Methodist Hospital and local care centers. A parish letter can also be mailed to homebound members upon request.
- BeFriender Ministry
- 'In His Time' infertility support (2nd Monday, 6:30–8 PM)
- Eucharistic visits to the homebound and local hospitals
- Anointing of the Sick by request
- Pastoral emergency line via parish office
Sacraments
Information on every sacrament celebrated at St. Gabriel, from preparation timelines to coordinators, is published on the parish website.
- Baptism — preparation via Deacon Darrel Branch
- Marriage — 9–12 months preparation with Fr. Paul and mentor couples (Wedding Planning Guide + Inquiry Form)
- Confirmation — celebrated in May at the Cathedral of St. Paul
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the parish office
- Funerals — coordinated through Breck McGough
- OCIA — for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music at St. Gabriel are coordinated by Breck McGough, Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy. He assists couples planning their wedding ceremony and coordinates funeral Masses with families.
- Director: Breck McGough
- Coordinates weddings and funerals
- Member Care letter outreach
Cemetery
St. Margaret's Cemetery is located on the site of the former St. Margaret's Catholic Church, east of the intersection of Shady Oak Road and Bren Road in Minnetonka. Graves are available to parishioners of St. Gabriel the Archangel; contact Lori at the parish office.
- St. Margaret's Cemetery, Minnetonka (Shady Oak Rd & Bren Rd)
- Contact: Lori at the parish office
Devotions & Fellowship
Beyond the Sunday schedule, the parish hosts regular family and men's events in collaboration with Chesterton Academy and member groups.
- Emmaus Family Nights — first Friday of the month, 5:00–7:00 PM (church prayer at 5 PM, dinner at 6 PM)
- Men of Virtue — second Friday of the month, 6:30–7:45 AM, lower-level social hall, with a guest speaker on the life of virtue
Visiting & Contact
St. Gabriel's parish office is reachable at (952) 935-5536. The address is 1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343. Archdiocesan records also list fax (952) 239-3863. For sacramental emergencies after hours, callers select the 'Pastoral Emergencies' option.
- Address: 1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
- Phone: (952) 935-5536
- Parish email addresses use @stgabrielhopkins.org
- After-hours pastoral emergency line