About St. Leonard of Port Maurice · Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Church of St. Leonard of Port Maurice is a small, multi-racial Catholic parish of about 100 families on Clinton Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Originally established in the early 1940s to serve African American Catholics of Minneapolis, it is known for its spirited congregational singing, warm hospitality, and tight-knit community life. The parish describes itself as 'the best little parish this side of heaven,' offering weekly Sunday Mass followed by hearty fellowship.
- Established
- 1940
- Patron
- St. Leonard of Port Maurice
- Rector
- Fr. Bob Hart (Parochial Administrator, as of July 2025)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Leonard's is a welcoming, multi-racial community of about 100 families that gathers each Sunday for a single 10:00 a.m. Mass accompanied by spirited congregational singing led by the parish pianist, followed by hearty fellowship. The parish keeps active outreach through the TRUST ecumenical coalition (serving south Minneapolis since 1970), a long-running food shelf collection benefiting Sabathani Community Center, and donations to Second Harvest Heartland. With Faith Formation for children and youth, an engaged Parish Council and Finance Committee, and a parish identity rooted in 'worship, service, and fellowship,' it is a place where visitors quickly become known by name.
Mass times at St. Leonard of Port Maurice
Weekly Mass schedule
About St. Leonard of Port Maurice
The Church of St. Leonard of Port Maurice is a small, multi-racial parish of about 100 families in south Minneapolis, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish was established in 1941 to serve African American Catholics of the city and remains a community described by its members as 'the best little parish this side of heaven.' Its mission statement commits the parish to achieving social justice through education and outreach, rooted in worship and fellowship.
- About 100 families, multi-racial
- Single Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m.
- Welcoming and affirming parish
- Spirited congregational singing led by the parish pianist
- Fellowship after every Sunday Mass
Parish History
The parish was incorporated into the archdiocese on January 10, 1940, and the present church was dedicated by Archbishop John Gregory Murray on June 15, 1941. Fr. Leonard Hirman, the first pastor, built the church, and the Oblate Sisters of the Providence of Baltimore later served the community as teachers and catechists. In 1964 the parish became a mission of Incarnation Parish in Minneapolis, regaining independent parish status in 1973. Two renovation projects over the decades have remodeled the kitchen and sanctuary and added a gathering space, additional pews, and handicapped accessibility.
- Incorporated January 10, 1940
- First pastor: Fr. Leonard Hirman
- Church dedicated June 15, 1941 by Archbishop John Gregory Murray
- Served by the Oblate Sisters of the Providence of Baltimore
- Mission of Incarnation Parish from 1964; parish status restored in 1973
- Two major renovations: kitchen/sanctuary and gathering space/accessibility
Who We Are — Clergy & Staff
As of July 2025, Fr. Bob Hart joined the parish as Parochial Administrator during the transition following the departure of Fr. Leo. Fr. Bob is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis who assists parishes as needed. He also serves Holy Name Parish alongside St. Leonard's.
- Fr. Bob Hart – Parochial Administrator (since July 2025)
- Erin Werneke – Faith Formation Director
Leadership & Governance
St. Leonard's is led by a Parish Council that meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the church, and a Finance Committee that meets monthly. Trustees and council members serve the parish in governance and stewardship roles, and meetings are open to parishioners.
- Parish Council – meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the church
- Ed Howard – Parish Council Chair
- Rachel Clubb – Parish Council Secretary
- Rob Wood – Parish Council member and Trustee
- Steve Roth – Parish Council member
- Merle Davis – Finance Committee Chair
- Mike Howard – Finance Committee member
- Lei Spencer – Parish Trustee
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The parish offers Faith Formation for children and youth, directed by Erin Werneke, including Sacramental Preparation. As a small parish, catechetical training has historically been carried out in close partnership with parishioners and, in earlier decades, the Oblate Sisters of the Providence of Baltimore.
- Faith Formation for children and youth
- Sacramental Preparation
- Director: Erin Werneke
Ministry & Outreach
St. Leonard's keeps an active ministry footprint in south Minneapolis through parish liturgical roles and ecumenical and food-security outreach. The parish is a participating member of TRUST, an ecumenical coalition of 18 South Minneapolis churches providing human services since 1970, and runs a long-running food shelf collection.
- TRUST ecumenical coalition member (since 1970)
- Chore Service program
- Meals-on-Wheels
- Parish nursing program
- Prayer shawl ministry
- Grief support groups
- School partners and youth ambassadors
- Food Shelf Collection benefiting Sabathani Community Center
- Weekly good will offering supporting Second Harvest Heartland
- TRUST council representative: Karen Virnig
Visit & Contact
The parish is located on Clinton Avenue South in the Standish / Bryant neighborhood of south Minneapolis, just two blocks from Sabathani Community Center. Visitors are welcomed warmly at Sunday Mass and the fellowship that follows.
- Address: 3949 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409-1635
- Phone: (612) 825-5811
- Website: stleonardmn.org
- Sunday worship followed by fellowship
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Leonard Hirman1940–
First pastor; built the present church, which was dedicated by Archbishop Murray on June 15, 1941.