About St. Lawrence · Foley, Minnesota
St. Lawrence Catholic Church is a small rural parish located in the unincorporated community of Duelm, just outside Foley in Benton County, Minnesota. Founded in 1900 by Polish Catholic farming families, it belongs to the Diocese of St. Cloud and is currently served by Father Joseph Backowski. The parish gathers for Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. and offers weekday Masses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, along with ongoing faith formation for children and a long tradition of community festivals rooted in its Polish heritage.
- Established
- 1900
- Patron
- St. Lawrence
- Rector
- Father Joseph Backowski
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Cloud
Why belong here
St. Lawrence offers the warmth of a small rural parish where Polish-American Catholic farming families have worshipped together for more than a century. Visitors encounter a faithful weekly gathering (Sunday morning Mass and weekday Masses), faith formation and sacramental preparation for children, joint Vacation Bible School and youth events, and an annual summer festival that has grown into a beloved community tradition. It is a place to live out an everyday, neighborly Catholicism in the heart of Benton County.
Mass times at St. Lawrence
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: After Mass
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Parish History
St. Lawrence traces its origins to 1900, when roughly forty Polish immigrant families in the farming community of Duelm organized their own Catholic parish in northern Benton County. The early priests of record were S. Urbanek and A. Plachta. The original church served the community for more than eight decades before it was razed in 1985 for structural safety reasons. A long-time parishioner and Foley special-education teacher, Clifford Balder, had built an exact ½-inch-to-the-foot scale replica of the church over the course of decades; that model was held by the Stearns County Historical Society before being transferred to the Benton County Historical Society in November 2022, where it stands as a memorial to the parish's earlier home.
All Things New and the St. Marcus Partnership
For fourteen years St. Lawrence was linked in ministry with the neighboring parish of St. Marcus. The two parishes celebrated First Reconciliation and Confirmation together, shared Vacation Bible School, youth events, and many ministries at Mass. The parishes have since closed that 'twin' arrangement as each embraces the Diocese of St. Cloud's broader 'All Things New' pastoral planning initiative, continuing to pray for and wish each other well.
Faith Formation and Youth
The parish runs a Faith Formation program for the 2026-2027 year, with a registration link posted on the parish website. Children's religious education and sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, Confirmation) have been shared with sister parish St. Marcus, along with cooperative Vacation Bible School and joint youth events.
Parish Festival and Community Life
St. Lawrence is well known in Benton County for its annual summer festival — a tradition now well over a century old. The parish's '131st year festival' was held in July and featured concessions such as burgers, fries, pie, and Knights of Columbus pork chops. The parish also runs an annual raffle, with winners posted on the bulletin page.
Clergy and Staff
St. Lawrence is currently served by Father Joseph Backowski, who is listed as pastor on the parish's website and bulletin. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office at 10915 Duelm Road NE, Foley, MN 56329 (phone 320-968-7502; fax 320-968-7252).
- Father Joseph Backowski – Pastor
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Lawrence at 320-968-7502 or by writing to the church at 10915 Duelm Road NE, Foley, MN 56329. The parish maintains an active web presence with a current bulletin page and a parish-website contact form.
- Parish address: 10915 Duelm Road NE, Foley, MN 56329
- Phone: 320-968-7502
- Fax: 320-968-7252
- Website: stlawrencechurchofduelm.com
Diocese of St. Cloud
St. Lawrence is listed as a parish of the Diocese of St. Cloud on the diocesan website. The parish's Mass and reconciliation schedule are published by the diocese alongside its address and contact information.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- S. Urbanek
One of the founding-era priests serving the Polish families at Duelm
- A. Plachta
Early priest of the parish