About St. Joseph · Owatonna, Minnesota
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester located at 512 South Elm Avenue in Owatonna, Minnesota. Founded in 1891 under Bishop John Martin Cotter, it is believed to be the first parish established and the first church built in the newly formed Diocese of Winona. Today the parish serves roughly 1,100 families of varied heritage and is clustered with nearby Christ the King (Medford) and Corpus Christi (Deerfield). The parish is most noted for the rich early-Christian-Romanesque architecture and the striking Christian artwork inside its 1929 church building.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Marreddy Pothireddy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona–Rochester
Why belong here
St. Joseph Parish has grown from 80 founding families to roughly 1,100 households of varied backgrounds, woven into one faith community known for its stunning 1929 Romanesque church, stained glass, and Trinity dome mural. It offers the traditional sacraments celebrated with a strong music tradition (a 1929 Kilgen pipe organ, choirs, cantor ministry, and a music director) plus perpetual adoration in the Adoration Chapel of the Most Holy Cross. Its outreach runs through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and joint Faith Formation / St. Mary's School partnerships with neighboring parishes — making it a place where families can grow in faith and serve the wider Owatonna community.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Adoration Chapel of the Most Holy Cross (added in 2010; check parish office for current exposed adoration schedule)
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1891 by Fr. Patrick Kiernan and is believed to be the first parish established and the first church built in the newly formed Diocese of Winona under Bishop Cotter. Originally serving mainly Irish and German Catholic families, it has grown to roughly 1,100 families today representing many heritages and traditions. The original white-frame church was struck by lightning and burned on December 23, 1927, and the present building, designed by Fr. Herman McKenna, was dedicated in November 1929. The parish merged with the closed Polish-descent St. Hyacinth parish in January 1952 and was clustered with Christ the King (Medford) and Corpus Christi (Deerfield) in 2012.
- Founded 1891 by Fr. Patrick Kiernan
- First parish in the newly formed Diocese of Winona (1888)
- Original church destroyed by fire and lightning December 23, 1927
- Present church dedicated November 1929
- St. Hyacinth parish merged into St. Joseph in January 1952
- Clustered since 2012 with Christ the King (Medford) and Corpus Christi (Deerfield)
Architecture & Artwork
The 1929 church is built in the early Christian Romanesque style of the 5th–6th centuries: light buff brick with a cream ledge, Mankato stone steps, and a multi-colored tile roof. Inside are more than 192 Christian symbols, a 2,000-square-foot sanctuary dome mural depicting the Trinity, and 20 stained-glass windows that walk through Christianity century by century, considered irreplaceable for their quality of glass and craftsmanship. A 1929 Kilgen pipe organ is still in regular use. Restoration efforts over the decades have preserved the building's character — including the 2007 return of the 'Sorrowful Mother' and 'St John' statues that flank the cross above the main altar.
- Style: early Christian Romanesque (5th–6th c.)
- Materials: light buff brick, cream ledge, Mankato stone steps, multi-colored tile roof
- 2,000 sq ft sanctuary dome mural of the Trinity
- 20 stained-glass windows tracing Christianity through the centuries
- 1929 Kilgen pipe organ, still in use
- Communion rail removed; smaller altar of sacrifice added for versus-populum celebration
Building Additions & Campus
Over the decades the campus has grown to keep the historic church accessible and the parish life active. An elevator was added in 1990 to connect Nazareth Hall (the lower level) with the main floor, easing access for elderly and handicapped parishioners. A major 2004 addition brought Joseph Hall, new kitchen and office spaces, and a gathering area between the former rectory and church walls. In 2010 the Adoration Chapel of the Most Holy Cross and the pastor's garage were added during Fr. Edward McGrath's pastorate. A mural was added inside Joseph Hall in 2021.
- 1990: elevator added (Nazareth Hall to main floor)
- 2004: Joseph Hall, new kitchen, offices, and gathering area
- 2010: Adoration Chapel of the Most Holy Cross + pastor's garage
- 2021: mural added to Joseph Hall
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Joseph publishes its Mass and confession schedule on the Faith Information page. Daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday morning at 8:00 AM. The Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00 PM and Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM.
- Weekday Mass: Tue–Thu and Sat 8:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
- Confession: Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Music Ministry
Music has been a strong tradition at St. Joseph Parish since the early days, when the 1929 Kilgen pipe organ (played for decades by Mrs. Cornelius 'Alice' Campion) backed Latin High and Low Masses. The Music Ministry today serves by leading, supporting, and encouraging full congregational participation across traditional and contemporary styles. It is led by Music Director Carol Hodapp and includes the St. Joseph Choir (adult — Wednesday evening rehearsals), the Youth Choir (grades 3–12, rehearses one hour before the 10:00 Mass and most often sings on the 2nd Sunday of the month), plus a Cantor Ministry and Instrumentalists/Accompanists. Music is also provided for funerals and Faith Formation Masses.
- Music Director: Carol Hodapp
- St. Joseph Choir (adult) — Wednesday evenings 5:00–6:00 PM, September through May
- Youth Choir (grades 3–12) — rehearses 1 hour before 10:00 Mass, sings most often on the 2nd Sunday
- Cantor Ministry
- Instrumentalists/Accompanists (organ, piano, guitar, hand chimes)
- Funeral music ministry
- 1929 Kilgen pipe organ in regular use
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is offered collaboratively with Sacred Heart Parish and is run by Faith Formation Director Brittany Boubin (507-686-5184, [email protected]). Classes are held for grades 1 through the Confirmation years (typically 9th and 10th grade), with registration in early summer and classes beginning in mid-September. Summer formation opportunities include Totus Tuus, Steubenville Conference, and Camp Summit for grades 1–12. The Faith Formation office is located at St. Mary's School.
- Director: Brittany Boubin
- Phone: 507-686-5184
- Email: [email protected]
- Classes: Grade 1 through Confirmation (grades 9–10)
- Summer programs: Totus Tuus, Steubenville Conference, Camp Summit
St. Mary's Catholic School
St. Mary's School has provided Catholic education in Owatonna for more than 145 years. Its mission is to partner with families to develop each student's full potential in mind, body, and spirit through Catholic values. The school's main phone is 507-446-2300 and its website is listed on the Diocese of Winona–Rochester directory.
- 145+ years of Catholic education in Owatonna
- Mission: partnering with families to develop mind, body, and spirit
- Phone: 507-446-2300
- Office located in Owatonna, MN
Outreach & Charity
St. Joseph's outreach centers on the St. Vincent de Paul Society (St. Michael Conference), the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and several longstanding local efforts. The parish is also a visible presence at the Steele County Fair and supports the local Hospitality House.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — 507-676-5508
- Free take-out meal served Tuesday 5:30–6:30 PM at St. Joseph Parish
- Food & gas vouchers, rent & utility assistance
- Furnishing Hope (under SVDP) — 507-676-1324, furnishinghopeowatonna.org
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas — Court Owatonna (hosts Donut Sunday fellowship)
- Hospitality House support; Steele County Fair presence
St. Vincent de Paul & Furnishing Hope
The St. Vincent de Paul Society (St. Michael Conference) is a Catholic lay ministry that visits those in need, offers financial assistance, food/gas vouchers, and connections to local agencies, and serves a free take-out meal on Tuesday evenings at St. Joseph Parish. Serving all in need regardless of faith, it meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Furnishing Hope, operating under the auspices of SVdP, is an all-volunteer non-profit that maintains a warehouse of gently-used donated furniture to help neighbors furnish their homes.
- SVdP Phone: 507-676-5508
- Furnishing Hope Phone: 507-676-1324
- Web: furnishinghopeowatonna.org
- Free Tuesday meal: 5:30–6:30 PM at St. Joseph Parish
- Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish team is led by Parish Priest Fr. Marreddy Pothireddy (arrived July 1, 2024) and includes Assisting Priest Fr. Miguel Proanos. Linda Strand manages the parish office; Carol Hodapp is the Liturgical Music Director; Erika Starman handles clerical and bookkeeping; and Wally Karsten and Dave Oman handle maintenance. The parish office can be reached at (507) 451-4845 or [email protected]; fax (507) 451-4651.
- Parish Priest: Fr. Marreddy Pothireddy
- Assisting Priest: Fr. Miguel Proanos
- Parish Office: Linda Strand
- Liturgical Music Director: Carol Hodapp
- Clerical / Bookkeeping: Erika Starman
- Maintenance: Wally Karsten, Dave Oman
- Phone: (507) 451-4845
- Fax: (507) 451-4651
- Email: [email protected]
Cluster Parishes
Since 2012 St. Joseph Parish has been in a pastoral cluster with two neighboring parishes in the Diocese of Winona–Rochester: Christ the King in Medford and Corpus Christi in Deerfield. Shared activities such as combined Faith Formation are already in practice.
- Christ the King, Medford
- Corpus Christi, Deerfield
- Clustered since 2012
Vocations
The parish carries the diocese's vocation contact information for men discerning priesthood: Fr. Will Thompson, Vocation Director of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester, [email protected], 507-454-4643 Ext. 229.
- Vocation Director: Fr. Will Thompson
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 507-454-4643 Ext. 229
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Patrick Kiernan1891–1923
Founding pastor; first parish of the newly formed Diocese of Winona
- Fr. Herman McKenna1923–1948
Designed and furnished the present church, dedicated November 1929
- Fr. Frank McMahon1948–1952
Installed the original sound system in 1948
- Fr. (Msgr.) Henry Speck1952–1976
Merged the closed St. Hyacinth (Polish) parish into St. Joseph in January 1952
- Msgr. Emmett Tighe1976–1984
Led interior and exterior redecoration/renovation of the church
- Fr. James McCauley1984–1994
Added the elevator (1990) from Nazareth Hall to the main floor
- Fr. Thomas Hargesheimer1994–2004
Oversaw the 2004 addition of Joseph Hall and the new gathering area
- Fr. Edward McGrath2004–2016
Added the Adoration Chapel of the Most Holy Cross and pastor's garage (2010); initiated the 2012 clustering with Christ the King and Corpus Christi
- Fr. Kevin Connolly2016–2018
- Fr. Stephen Abaukaka (Pastoral Associate); Fr. John M. Sauer (Administrator, Pastor of Sacred Heart)2018
Transition period of several months
- Fr. James E. Starasinich2018–January 31, 2024
- Monsignor Thomas Cook (Parochial Administrator) with Fr. Gregory Parrott (Associate Priest)Feb. 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024
- Fr. Marreddy PothireddyJuly 1, 2024 – present
Current Parish Priest