About St. John the Baptist · New Brighton, Minnesota
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a large, historic parish in New Brighton, Minnesota, just north of the Twin Cities and roughly 15 minutes from both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Tracing its roots to a 1883 mission chapel in nearby Arden Hills, the parish was formally established in 1902 to serve a growing Polish Catholic community, and today it ministers to about 8,000 members across roughly 2,475 families. The parish is known for its award-winning, architecturally striking 1968 church, its own parish school (PreK-8), and a vibrant faith-formation program that serves children, youth, and adults. Its motto — 'Bearing witness to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life' — captures a community rooted in Eucharistic worship, perpetual adoration, sacramental life, and service to its neighbors.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Fr. Paul Shovelain
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is a large, multigenerational Catholic community that takes seriously both the Sacraments and the works that flow from them. Faith formation is offered at every age — Family Formation, Sunday School, OCIC, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Totus Tuus, a strong parish school (PreK-8), Confirmation, OCIA (formerly RCIA), adult formation, and small groups — alongside a worship life centered on daily Mass, weekend Masses in English, and a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel that has been kept continuously for over eight years. A robust servant-leader structure organizes ministry through active commissions for worship, formation, outreach, and parish life, and the parish is large enough to host choirs, Men's Fellowship, and ongoing service ministries such as Families Moving Forward, while remaining rooted in the historic Polish-immigrant faith of New Brighton since 1902.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 5:45 PM
- Monday: 8:00 AM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM
- Friday: 8:00 AM
- Saturday: 3:15 PM (parish site) / 3:30–4:15 PM (Archdiocese listing)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for over eight years
- Chapel closed during the Easter Triduum and from 4:30 PM Saturday until after the 5:30 Mass Sunday evening
- Live-streamed Perpetual Adoration (per Archdiocese listing)
Parish Identity & Welcome
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Brighton greets visitors with the line: 'Bearing witness to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.' For more than 120 years the parish has provided a strong Catholic tradition to the surrounding communities of the north metro. The parish maintains an open online presence with information on Mass times, confession, adoration, formation, ministries, and parish staff, and welcomes new members to register and become part of the community.
History of St. John the Baptist
The parish traces its roots to 1883, when Mass was first celebrated in a private home and then (in 1884) in a small mission chapel called St. Charles in what is now Arden Hills. As the area grew and Polish Catholic immigrants settled nearby, Archbishop John Ireland approved a new parish — St. John the Baptist — in 1902. Its founding pastor was the Polish-speaking Rev. Anthony Szczukowski, who oversaw the construction of the basement church on Fifth Avenue in 1907. A succession of Polish and Polish-American priests built up the parish over the early twentieth century: a rectory (1903), the upper church (1922), a cemetery north of Seventh Street (1908), and a school (1952). The current 1,400-seat church was dedicated in June 1971, and a new Pastoral Center connecting the school and church was added in 2001.
- Roots in 1883 mission chapel of St. Charles, Arden Hills
- Parish formally established 1902 by Archbishop John Ireland
- Founding pastor Rev. Anthony Szczukowski (1902–1907)
- Basement church 1907; upper church 1922
- Parish school built 1952
- Current church built 1968, dedicated June 1971 by Archbishop Leo Binz
- Pastoral Center dedicated 2001
- Centennial celebrated July 2002; centennial book published 2004
Architecture, Art & Sacred Spaces
The current church is described by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as an 'award-winning, architecturally striking building.' Major artistic features include a triptych behind the altar, a baldachin over the tabernacle, the celebrant's chair relocated to the west side, and the 'Creation of Water' stained-glass windows above the baptistery designed by Bill Saltzman. Four west-side lancet windows by Nicholas Markell honor St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Venerable Fr. Michael McGivney, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Trinity. Life-size statues of Saints Peter and Paul stand in the baptistry, and the campus features a 14-foot ceremonial door, an 18-foot cross, a sculpture garden, a Reflection Garden with Stations of the Cross (2010), a carillon added in 2003, and an organ installed in 1996 with major upgrades in 2008 and 2013.
- 1,400-seat church (1968; dedicated 1971)
- 'Creation of Water' windows by Bill Saltzman
- Four lancet windows by Nicholas Markell
- Statues of Saints Peter and Paul in the baptistry
- Reflection Garden with Stations of the Cross (2010)
- Bronze statues of Jesus and St. John the Baptist as children in the school courtyard (2016)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Fr. Paul Shovelain as pastor and Fr. Derek Gilde as parochial vicar. Fr. Paul was ordained a priest in 2014 and became pastor of St. John's on July 1, 2020; he is the spiritual leader of the parish. Fr. Derek was ordained on May 25, 2024. A larger parish staff — including coordinators for Discipleship for Middle School Youth, High School Youth Ministry, Families, Sacramental Formation, and Discipleship for Adults — supports faith formation, sacraments, and parish life, alongside a Director of Business and other administrative leaders.
- Fr. Paul Shovelain — Pastor (ordained 2014; pastor since July 1, 2020)
- Fr. Derek Gilde — Parochial Vicar (ordained May 25, 2024)
- Pastoral Care Coordinator on staff
- Director of Business and administrative team
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. John's spans cradle to adult. Family Formation brings parents and their preschool–5th-grade children together for monthly on-site sessions plus at-home lessons. Sunday School serves ages 3 through kindergarten during the 8:30 and 10:30 AM Masses. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered for ages 3–5 in the parish Atrium. Older children preparing for sacraments missed in childhood attend OCIC. First Sacraments (Reconciliation and First Eucharist) are prepared for in second grade, and Confirmation is prepared for in high school.
- Family Formation (preschool–5th grade)
- Sunday School (ages 3–K)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–5)
- OCIC (ages 8–14, unbaptized or missing sacraments)
- 1st Sacraments (Reconciliation & Eucharist, 2nd grade)
- Confirmation Program (high school)
- Totus Tuus summer program (grades 1–12)
- VBS for ages 3–K
Youth, Young Adult & Adult Ministry
Middle School Faith Formation, Middle School Youth Group, and D-groups serve students in 6th–8th grade, with campus ministry reaching into the parish school. High School Youth Ministry, D-groups, and Becoming Catholic OCIC are offered for 9th–12th graders. Young Adult Ministry and the Youth 365 Fundraiser extend the parish's outreach to older teens and young adults. For adults, the parish offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute, Lighthouse Media, the St. Monica's Prayer Group, Sunday Scripture Study, RCIA Sponsors, and the Men's Fellowship group.
- Middle School Youth Group & D-groups
- High School Youth Ministry & D-groups
- Young Adult Ministry
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute
- Lighthouse Media
- St. Monica's Prayer Group
- Sunday Scripture Study
- Men's Fellowship
Parish School (PreK–8)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish School has been in continuous operation since 1952 and currently serves students in PreK through 8th grade. Its mission is to educate children in all aspects of their lives to become disciples of Jesus Christ, through formation in Catholic faith, values, and instruction using best practices. The school forms a 'JOY-filled community with gratitude and a sense of Christ-like service,' and welcomes prospective families to visit or set up a private tour.
- PreK–8 Catholic education
- In operation since 1952
- Major HVAC and kitchen renovation (2013)
- New school courtyard with bronze statues of Jesus and St. John the Baptist as children (2016)
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for the full sacramental life of the Church. Parents attend a Baptism Seminar before their children are baptized. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared for in 2nd grade through the 1st Sacraments program. Confirmation is prepared for in high school. Engaged couples participate in Marriage Preparation. A Pastoral Care Coordinator supports anointing of the sick and ongoing pastoral needs, while Reconciliation is offered daily, on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday evening before the 6:15 PM Mass.
- Baptism Seminar
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (high school)
- Marriage Preparation
- Anointing of the Sick via Pastoral Care
- Daily, Saturday, and Sunday-evening Reconciliation
Outreach & Service
Service is part of the parish's identity. The Families Moving Forward ministry was established under Fr. Michael Skluzacek and continues to walk alongside families in need. The Men's Fellowship gathers men for faith and service. Liturgical Ministers — including Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, servers, and ushers — are trained through the parish's Sacramental Formation and Liturgical Life program. A Parish Council was first formed under Fr. Richard Berg in 1977, and the parish operates today under a Servant Leader parish model for leadership and committee structure initiated in 2013.
- Families Moving Forward
- Men's Fellowship
- Liturgical Ministers (Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, servers, ushers)
- Servant Leader parish model (since 2013)
- Parish Council (since 1977)
Music & Liturgical Life
Music is a long-standing part of worship at St. John's. A new organ was acquired and installed on the west side of the altar in 1996, with the choir moved behind the organ; major upgrades followed in 2008 and again in 2013. A carillon was added to the church bells in 2003. A triptych was commissioned for the wall behind the altar, and in 2002 the altar was enlarged to better match the space; later, under Fr. Skluzacek, a baldachin was created for the tabernacle, placed behind the center of the altar under the triptych. Masses and liturgies are also live-streamed via Facebook and YouTube, and the Sunday Mass also airs on NineNorth Cable channels.
- Organ installed 1996; upgraded 2008 and 2013
- Carillon added 2003
- Triptych behind the altar
- Altar enlarged 2002; baldachin over tabernacle added later
- Live-streamed Masses on Facebook and YouTube
- Sunday Mass airs on NineNorth Cable channels
Facilities, Grounds & Cemetery
The St. John the Baptist campus includes the church (built 1968, dedicated 1971), the current rectory (1960), the parish school (1952, enlarged 1955 and renovated 2013), and the Pastoral Center (2001) connecting the school and church. The grounds include a Reflection Garden with Stations of the Cross (2010), a school courtyard with bronze statues (2016), a sculpture garden, and an 18-foot outdoor cross. The parish cemetery was purchased in 1908 and lies north of Seventh Street between Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues.
- Church (1968; dedicated 1971)
- Rectory (1960)
- Parish School (1952, enlarged 1955)
- Pastoral Center (2001) connecting school and church
- Reflection Garden with Stations of the Cross (2010)
- Cemetery (purchased 1908) north of Seventh Street between 11th & 12th Avenues
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony Vince Szczukowski1902–1907
Founding pastor; born in Poland 1875; ordained at St. Paul Seminary 1902 by Archbishop John Ireland; built the basement church on Fifth Avenue.
- Rev. Stephan Zdechlik1907–1908
Born in Poland 1878; purchased the cemetery land.
- Rev. Vincent Joseph Yany1908–1913
Born in Delano, MN 1881; ordained by Archbishop Ireland 1908.
- Rev. Francis Matz1914–1916
Born in St. Paul 1886; later founded All Saints parish in Minneapolis.
- Rev. Ambrose Nicholas Joseph Kryjewski1916–1931
Built the upper church over the basement church in 1922.
- Rev. Andrew Aloysius Handzel1931–1934
First booya dinner fundraiser.
- Rev. Maxmillian John Matz1934–1950
Younger brother of Fr. Francis Matz; WWII-era pastor; planned the parish school.
- Msgr. Paul Lawrence Koscielniak1950–1977
Longest-serving pastor (27 years); built school, school addition/church-gym, convent, rectory, and current church; made Honorary Prelate (Monsignor) in 1973; died in a 1980 boating accident on Mille Lacs Lake.
- Rev. Richard Val Berg1977–1980
Parish Council formed, first deacons commissioned, women became Eucharistic Ministers; died December 2012.
- Rev. Thomas Sexton Stitts1980–1985
- Rev. Gerald George Grieman1985–1996
Strengthened parish finances; expanded use of permanent deacons; kindergarten added (1989); female acolytes (1992); convent converted to parish center (1994); new organ installed (1996).
- Rev. William Arnold Murtaugh1996–2006
Acoustics and sound system upgrades; new Pastoral Center dedicated 2001; 14-ft ceremonial doors; sculpture garden; 18-ft cross; triptych; altar enlarged 2002; centennial celebrated 2002; carillon added 2003; centennial book 2004.
- Rev. Michael Skluzacek2006–2020
13th pastor; launched Families Moving Forward and Men's Fellowship; introduced Servant Leader parish model (2013); new stained-glass windows, baldachin, organ upgrades, Reflection Garden with Stations of the Cross (2010), school courtyard with bronze statues (2016).
- Rev. Paul Shovelain2020–present
Ordained 2014; became pastor July 1, 2020.