About St. Joseph · Hastings, Minnesota
St. Joseph Catholic Church sits in the small rural community of Miesville just southeast of Hastings, Minnesota. Originally known as St. Joseph's Church of Douglas, it was founded in 1873 as a mission of St. Boniface Parish in Hastings and is today home to a faithful, multigenerational community served by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish is distinctive for offering both the Ordinary Form Mass in English and the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) every Sunday, drawing worshipers from a wide area. Its beautifully preserved Romanesque-style church, conservative liturgy and tight-knit small-town atmosphere are the parish's hallmarks.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Michael McClellan
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers something rare for the south-metro area: a beautiful, historic Romanesque church in a quiet rural setting, a welcoming multigenerational community with many young families and descendants of the original settlers, and — unusually — both an Ordinary Form Mass in English and the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) every Sunday. Add in solid Faith Formation for children and youth, an active Music Ministry, lively parish gatherings in the 2002 parish hall, and devoted clergy, and you have a parish that draws people well beyond its historic boundaries for good reason.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:15 – 9:45 AM (before the Traditional Latin Mass)
- Tuesday: 4:30 – 4:50 PM (before the 5:00 PM Mass)
- Thursday: 7:30 – 7:50 AM (before the 8:00 AM Mass)
- First Friday: 4:30 PM Exposition/Adoration & Confessions; Confessions after Mass
- First Saturday: after the 8:00 AM Mass until the last confession is heard
Adoration times
- Thursday: 8:30 – 9:30 AM Adoration (per Archdiocese schedule)
- First Friday: 4:30 PM Exposition, Adoration & Confessions; 5:45 PM Benediction; 6:00 PM Traditional Latin Mass
Parish Mission
"We, the faith community of St. Joseph Catholic Church, are trusted to continue the mission of Jesus through the Catholic Church. Toward this goal, we serve, teach and worship. We strive to meet these ends in a spirit of love and compassion, tempered by justice and peace, through the grace of the Holy Spirit."
History of St. Joseph Parish
The parish traces its roots to 1856, when J. Joseph Fox walked to Saint Paul to ask Bishop Cretin for a priest to baptize local children, hear confessions and distribute Holy Communion. In 1873, Bishop Grace founded St. Joseph's Church of Douglas as a mission of St. Boniface Parish in Hastings, with Rev. George Scherer, O.S.B. as the first pastor. The original 1873 church was torn down in 1908; the present Romanesque-style brick church was erected in 1907 but struck by lightning on August 27, 1913, leaving only the brick walls. The church was rebuilt and dedicated on October 25, 1914. Over the years the parish has been served by an illustrious roster of clergy, including Fr. James Shannon (later auxiliary bishop), Bishop Ham (who lived in the rectory 1984–1990), and beloved retired Fr. Mike O'Connor (1991–2005).
- 1856 — J. Joseph Fox walks to Saint Paul to petition Bishop Cretin for a priest
- 1873 — Parish founded as mission of St. Boniface, Hastings; Fr. George Scherer, O.S.B., first pastor
- 1882 — Parish incorporated
- 1908 — Original church torn down
- 1907 — Present Romanesque church erected
- August 27, 1913 — Lightning strike and fire; only brick walls remain
- October 25, 1914 — Rebuilt church dedicated
- 1984–1990 — Bishop Ham and housekeeper Maria Elena live in the rectory
- July 1991 — Fr. Mike O'Connor arrives as priest-in-residence
- December 22, 2002 — New gathering space / parish hall dedicated
- July 1, 2024 — Fr. Michael McClellan installed as current pastor
Our Campus
The parish campus centers on the historic Romanesque-style brick church and includes the adjoining gathering space (parish hall) dedicated in 2002, which hosts funeral dinners, fundraisers and family events. The parish office and several Faith Formation classrooms are located downstairs in the gathering space. A former convent, dating back to the days when the parish ran a Catholic school, has been lovingly modernized, as has the rectory.
- Romanesque-style church (1907; rebuilt 1914)
- Parish hall / gathering space (dedicated December 22, 2002)
- Parish office and classrooms (downstairs)
- Modernized former convent
- Rectory
Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form)
The Traditional Latin Mass is a distinctive feature of the parish, with a large and devoted following that draws worshipers well beyond the parish's historic boundaries. Confessions are heard before Mass from 9:15–9:45 AM. On First Fridays there is Exposition and Confessions at 4:30 PM, Benediction at 5:45 PM, and Mass at 6:00 PM, with Confessions after Mass.
- Sunday: 10:00 AM Latin Mass; confessions 9:15–9:45 AM
- First Friday: 4:30 PM Exposition/Adoration/Confessions; 5:45 PM Benediction; 6:00 PM Mass; Confessions after Mass
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Joseph is rooted in the conviction that parents are the primary educators of their children. The Family Formation program (Grades K–5) gathers parents and children on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6:15–7:15 PM, with take-home folders for the other weeks so families can tailor study to their own schedule. Older students have additional Wednesday classes: Grades 6–8 from 6:15–7:15 PM on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays, and Grades 9–12 from 7:15–8:15 PM on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
- Family Formation (K–5) — 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:15–7:15 PM
- Grades 6–8 — 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays, 6:15–7:15 PM
- Grades 9–12 — 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7:15–8:15 PM
- 2025–2026 Faith Formation curriculum: Grades 6–8 study the Sacraments; Grades 9–12 study Morality
Sacramental Preparation
Children are prepared for First Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade, with classes on Wednesdays for English-Mass students and on Sundays for those preparing in the context of the Traditional Latin Mass. Confirmation is a two-year program, ordinarily beginning in 7th grade. Registration takes place in early September.
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — grade 2
- Confirmation — two-year, ordinarily grades 7–8
- Latin Mass sacramental preparation: contact Elizabeth Schriever
- Confirmation preparation: contact Matt Belford
Adult Formation
Adult faith formation is directed by Matt Belford and complements the parish's strong Tradition-minded identity. Adult Faith Formation works alongside guest-speaker events and ongoing adult learning.
- Adult Formation Director: Matt Belford ([email protected])
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry supports both the English-language Mass and the Traditional Latin Mass with two choirs. The English Mass Choir is open to anyone 4th grade through adult — no musical knowledge required — with rehearsal 30 minutes before Sunday Mass. The Traditional Latin Mass Choir is open to parishioners age 14 through adult (currently not accepting new members due to space).
- English Mass Choir — 4th grade–adult; rehearsal 30 min before Sunday Mass; contact the office
- Traditional Latin Mass Choir — age 14–adult; currently full (Lucia Weinhandl, Director)
- English Mass Music Director: Heidi Mace ([email protected])
Parish Life & Community Events
St. Joseph's parish life is a blend of the spiritual and the warmly social. The 2002 gathering space hosts funeral dinners, pancake breakfasts, a CUF Bake Sale, perennial plant sharing, and a Mini Marian Garden planting. The parish's beloved 'St. Joseph Day at the Ballpark' with the Miesville Mudhens amateur baseball team is an annual summer highlight, with Father Brinkman throwing an opening pitch.
- Pancake Breakfast
- CUF Bake Sale
- All Saints Men's Guild gatherings
- Perennial Plant Sharing
- Mini Marian Garden Planting
- Live Nativity
- St. Joseph Day at the Ballpark (Miesville Mudhens)
- Youth & Young Adult events: guest speakers, movie nights (e.g. Passion of the Christ)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments in accord with universal Church law and Archdiocesan norms. Sacramental preparation is coordinated through the Faith Formation office for children, and through the parish office for adults (baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick).
- Baptism — every other month; during or after Mass; prep class required
- First Reconciliation — grade 2
- First Eucharist — grade 2
- Confirmation — two-year, grades 7–8
- Marriage — six months' notice to the parish office required
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Baptism
Baptisms and baptism-preparation classes are offered every other month. The parish welcomes every parent to bring their child forward for baptism, provided there is a reasonable hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith — attending religious education and receiving First Eucharist and Confirmation at the appropriate ages. Godparents must be at least 16, confirmed Roman Catholics in good standing, and are limited to one or two (must be male and female if two are chosen).
- Children up to age 6: traditional infant/child baptism
- Age 7 and older: Baptism + Confirmation + Eucharist (RCIT-style)
- Baptisms celebrated during Mass (preferred) or after Mass
- Godparent requirements: confirmed, practicing Catholic, age 16+, not the parent
Marriage
Couples contemplating marriage must contact the parish office at least six months before setting a date or reserving a reception venue. Only after consultation with the pastor or his delegate can the other preparations begin. The parish teaches that marriage has a four-fold character — Free, Total, Faithful, and Fruitful — and that marriage is a participation in the Genesis story of creation, modeling Christ's love for His Church.
- Six months' notice required
- Four-fold character: Free, Total, Faithful, Fruitful
Our Staff
The parish is staffed by Pastor Fr. Michael McClellan with Sacramental Ministers Fr. John Gallas, S.T.L., and Fr. Andrew Brinkman. Elizabeth Schriever directs Faith Formation; Matt Belford directs Adult Formation. Patti Kocur is Parish Business Administrator and Sara McNamara is Administrative Assistant. Heidi Mace directs the English Mass Choir, Lucia Weinhandl directs the Traditional Latin Mass Choir, Mike Otto serves as Building & Maintenance, and Rebecca Susag serves the parish cemetery.
- Fr. Michael McClellan — Pastor
- Fr. John Gallas, S.T.L. — Sacramental Minister
- Fr. Andrew Brinkman — Sacramental Minister
- Elizabeth Schriever — Faith Formation Director ([email protected])
- Matt Belford — Adult Formation Director ([email protected])
- Patti Kocur — Parish Business Administrator (651-273-3092)
- Sara McNamara — Administrative Assistant (651-273-3174; [email protected])
- Heidi Mace — Music Director (English Mass)
- Lucia Weinhandl — Traditional Latin Mass Music Director
- Mike Otto — Building & Maintenance
- Rebecca Susag — Cemeterian
Office Hours, Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Visitors are most welcome — the church sits in the Miesville community southeast of Hastings, accessible from Highway 61 (approximately 12 miles south of Hastings, or roughly 20 miles west of Red Wing).
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Phone: 651-437-3526
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 23955 Nicolai Avenue East, Hastings, MN 55033 (Miesville)
- Located on Highway 61 between Hastings and Red Wing
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Scherer, O.S.B.1873–
First pastor; rode to Miesville every second Sunday from St. Boniface, Hastings.
- Fr. Duhr
Pastor during WWII era; died of cancer in 1946.
- Fr. James Shannon1946–
Just-ordained priest assigned to St. Joseph while Fr. Duhr was dying; later became auxiliary bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
- Fr. Klaers25+ years
Long-tenured pastor; also shared with New Trier.
- Fr. Ralph HuarSeveral months
Supervised decorating of the new gathering space.
- Fr. Jay Kythe8 years
Youngest pastor in recent memory.
- Fr. Fernando Ortega2 years
- Fr. Terry Beeson10 years
- Fr. Michael McClellan2024–present
Began July 1, 2024; also serves as Parochial Administrator of St. Pius V, Cannon Falls.