About St. Leo · Pipestone, Minnesota
St. Leo Catholic Church is a rural parish in Pipestone, Minnesota, part of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and now sharing ministry with nearby St. Catherine of Luverne under the joint website stscl.org. The current pastor is Fr. Joshua Miller, assisted by Deacon Kevin Aaker and a lay staff that runs faith formation, Hispanic ministry, finances, and the Noah's Ark Preschool. Strengthened by the Eucharist, the parish describes its mission as 'carrying forward the work of Christ tending to the challenges of rural Southwestern Minnesota.' It serves the local faithful with English and bilingual Spanish Masses, faith formation for all ages, a parish cemetery, a Knights of Columbus council, and the Catholic Daughters.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. Leo (the Great)
- Rector
- Fr. Joshua Miller
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
St. Leo is the spiritual home of an active Catholic community in rural southwestern Minnesota, where members worship in a church whose design intentionally weaves Native American symbols of peace and brotherhood into Catholic tradition. The parish offers bilingual English/Spanish Masses, a parish cemetery, faith formation for all ages, the Noah's Ark Preschool, a Knights of Columbus council and Catholic Daughters, and a Hispanic Ministry led by a full-time director. It is a place where 'individual differences' are respected and the call to unity is honored — and where Sunday Mass, weekday adoration, and confession make it easy to keep the Eucharist at the center of family life.
Mass times at St. Leo
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 4:30–5:00 PM (St. Leo)
Adoration times
- Thursday 4:00 PM (St. Leo)
Welcome & Mission
St. Leo Catholic Church greets visitors with a bilingual welcome in English and Spanish ('Bienvenido / Iglesia Católica San Leo'). The parish mission statement reads: 'We, the people of the Catholic Parish St. Leo, by virtue of our baptism, are led by our God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to acts of Faith, Hope and Love. Strengthened by the Eucharist we carry forward the work of Christ tending to the challenges of rural Southwestern Minnesota, respecting individual differences but always honoring the call to unity. We tirelessly seek to be the People of God, witnessing to our Father's unconditional love, the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit until God comes again in glory.'
- Bilingual welcome: English / Spanish
- Parish mission: Eucharist-centered service to rural southwestern Minnesota
Parish History
Catholic activity in the Pipestone area began in June 1878 with Father Koeberl, who celebrated Mass in homes and a sod shanty. The parish was incorporated on October 27, 1887 under the St. Paul Diocese; the first wooden church was dedicated in 1889 by Archbishop John Ireland. In 1900 Monsignor Joseph Mangan became pastor, established the cemetery, and oversaw construction of a Norman Gothic brick church dedicated in 1916 by Bishop Heffron of Winona. The present church — designed by Edward Sovik in the spirit of Vatican II — was dedicated on November 2, 1969 by Bishop Loras J. Watters.
- 1878: Father Koeberl's first mission visits to Pipestone area
- 1887: Parish incorporated in the St. Paul Diocese, October 27
- 1889: First wooden church built, dedicated by Archbishop John Ireland
- 1900: Monsignor Joseph Mangan named pastor; cemetery established
- 1916: Norman Gothic brick church dedicated by Bishop Heffron of Winona
- 1969: Present church dedicated November 2 by Bishop Loras J. Watters
- 1990s–2000s: Tri-Parish era with St. Martin and St. Joseph
- 2009: Bishop John Quinn dedicated the new addition
- 2010: Noah's Ark Preschool opens with 35 children
- 2012: Monsignor Kosse named Chaplain to His Holiness
- 2022: St. Martin merged into St. Leo Parish (Feb. 21)
The 1969 Church Building
Designed in 1966 by Edward Sovik (architect) with Father Aelred Tegels, OSB (liturgical consultant) and Frank Kacmarcik (liturgical artist), the present St. Leo church embraces the liturgical renewal of Vatican II while honoring nineteen centuries of Christian tradition and weaving in Native American symbols of peace and brotherhood from the local Pipestone quarries region. The organ was dedicated August 17, 1969 and the church itself on November 2, 1969.
- Architect: Edward Sovik
- Liturgical consultant: Father Aelred Tegels, OSB
- Liturgical artist: Frank Kacmarcik
- Organ dedication: August 17, 1969 (organist Charles Kendrick of Chicago)
- Church dedication: November 2, 1969 by Bishop Loras J. Watters of Winona
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, a deacon, and a lay staff that runs faith formation, Hispanic ministry, finances, the parish office, and Noah's Ark Preschool.
- Fr. Joshua Miller — Pastor
- Deacon Kevin Aaker — Deacon
- Jody Richters — Faith Formation Director
- Holly Baatz — Faith Formation Assistant
- Miguel Acevedo — Hispanic Ministry Director
- Amy VandenBosch — Financial Administrator / Noah's Ark Preschool Director
- Nicole Henrichs — Noah Ark Preschool Director
- Sonia Smith — Parish Secretary
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Leo is led by Director Jody Richters and Assistant Holly Baatz. The program forms children and adults in the Catholic tradition and works alongside the parish school of religion model used in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. There is also a St. Leo Adult Faith Program for ongoing adult enrichment.
- Faith Formation Director: Jody Richters
- Faith Formation Assistant: Holly Baatz
- St. Leo Adult Faith Program
Noah's Ark Preschool
Opened in spring 2010 by the Tri-Parish with 35 children attending, Noah's Ark Preschool serves 3- to 5-year-olds and welcomes children from both St. Leo Parish and the wider Pipestone community. Beyond a standard preschool curriculum, the children learn Spanish, take field trips, sing, and play in a faith-filled environment. Full scholarships are available for families who qualify.
- Ages served: 3–5 years
- Opened: Spring 2010 with 35 children
- Teacher/Director: Amy VandenBosch (thirteenth year teaching, with prior daycare experience)
- Curriculum extras: Spanish, field trips, songs
- Full scholarships available to qualifying families
Hispanic Ministry
St. Leo has an active Hispanic Ministry led by Miguel Acevedo, the parish's Hispanic Ministry Director. A bilingual Spanish Mass is celebrated at 1:00 PM on Sundays in addition to the main English Mass, and the ministry serves the Spanish-speaking Catholic community of Pipestone and the surrounding rural area.
- Director: Miguel Acevedo
- Bilingual Spanish Mass: Sunday 1:00 PM
- Spanish instruction for Noah's Ark preschoolers
St. Leo Cemetery
St. Leo Cemetery was established on November 21, 1900, when Monsignor Joseph Mangan was pastor. The land was purchased from Mr. Bennett northwest of Pipestone, and the access road was named Mangan Avenue in Monsignor Mangan's honor after his death in 1938. A new section was opened in 1986, and the cemetery remains in active service to the parish today. The St. Leo Cemetery Policy explains grave and cremation costs, permanent care, the interment fee, monument marking, snow removal, and special rules; it also lists the current Cemetery Association members.
- Established: November 21, 1900 by Monsignor Joseph Mangan
- Land purchased from Mr. Bennett
- Access road named Mangan Avenue in honor of Monsignor Mangan
- New section opened in 1986
- Online cemetery map available on the parish website
Parish Organizations
Lay faithful carry out much of the parish's mission through the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters. St. Leo Council 18274 of the Knights of Columbus is chartered through the Minnesota State Council, while the Catholic Daughters of the Americas circle continues the parish's long tradition of women's service and faith formation.
- Knights of Columbus — St. Leo Council 18274
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas
- St. Leo Leadership team (parish council / leadership page)
- Online Giving through the parish website
Clustered with St. Catherine, Luverne
St. Leo shares its pastor, website (stscl.org), bulletin, calendar, and faith formation staff with St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, Minnesota. The two parishes publish a single combined Mass schedule, with the pastor moving between sites for weekday Masses and confessions. This rural cluster model is a hallmark of ministry in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
- Cluster partner: St. Catherine Catholic Church, 203 E. Brown St., Luverne, MN — (507) 283-8502
- Combined website: stscl.org
- Combined bulletin and calendar
- St. Martin (Woodstock) merged into St. Leo on Feb. 21, 2022
Visit, Contact & Directions
St. Leo Catholic Church is located at 415 South Hiawatha Avenue, Pipestone, MN 56164 (mailing address PO Box 36, Pipestone, MN 56164-0036), on the second block north of State Highway 30. The parish office is open regular hours and can be reached by phone at (507) 825-3152 or by fax at (507) 825-4492; the general office email is [email protected].
- Address: 415 S. Hiawatha Ave., Pipestone, MN 56164
- Mailing: PO Box 36, Pipestone, MN 56164-0036
- Phone: (507) 825-3152
- Fax: (507) 825-4492
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: https://www.stscl.org
- Diocese: Winona-Rochester
- Landmark: Second block north of State Highway 30
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Koeberl1878–1881
First priest to serve the Pipestone area; arrived on horseback and celebrated Mass in homes and a sod shanty.
- Fathers William J. Kuel and John Conway1881–1885
Continued the mission; thirteen baptisms recorded.
- Father P. J. Kervick1885–c. 1900
Arrived in Avoca 1885, moved to Pipestone 1889; oversaw the incorporation of St. Leo on Oct. 27, 1887 and the building of the first wooden church (1889).
- Monsignor Joseph Mangan1900–1938
Named pastor in 1900; served until his death Aug. 14, 1938. Established St. Leo Cemetery in 1900; built the 1916 Norman Gothic brick church and donated the rectory. Buried in St. Leo Cemetery.
- Father Robert Taylor1990–1994
Oversaw renovations to the rectory and expanded catechetical space; gifted the parish its current wall Stations of the Cross. Began the clustering of St. Martin, Woodstock with St. Leo and St. Joseph.
- Father Martin Schaefer1997–2008
Oversaw the building of the new addition to the church; the old rectory was condemned and demolished; left April 2008.
- Monsignor Gerald C. Kosse2008–
Administrator April 2008, then pastor of St. Joseph, St. Leo and St. Martin; Bishop John Quinn dedicated the new addition July 26, 2009. Started Noah's Ark Preschool in spring 2010. On Oct. 28, 2012 received the title Chaplain to His Holiness from Pope Benedict XVI.