About St. Louis King of France · Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Church of St. Louis, King of France is a historic Catholic parish in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, founded in 1868 to serve the French-speaking Catholics of the city. Known affectionately as 'The Little French Church,' it has been entrusted to the Society of Mary (Marists) since 1886, when Archbishop John Ireland invited the order to take over leadership. The present twin-towered Romanesque church, designed by Emmanuel Masqueray (architect of the Cathedral of Saint Paul), was completed in 1909 and features polished Minnesota granite columns and a Casavant Frères organ installed in 1998. The parish sits at the corner of Tenth and Cedar Streets, steps from the Green Line 10th Street Station, and offers a rich traditional liturgical life with daily Mass, abundant confession times, and devotional practices including the Miraculous Medal Novena, weekly Rosary, and Eucharistic Exposition.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- Saint Louis IX, King of France
- Rector
- Rev. Kyle Etzel (as of June 2026, succeeding Fr. Joseph C. Hurtuk, S.M.)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Louis, King of France offers a deeply traditional Catholic life in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, with daily Mass, an extraordinary schedule of confession times (13 slots a week in the Chapel), and a rich rhythm of devotions including the Miraculous Medal Novena, weekly Rosary, Eucharistic Exposition, and Tuesday organ recitals in the colder months. Its 1909 Romanesque sanctuary — one of the archdiocese's architectural masterpieces — features polished Minnesota granite columns and a Casavant Frères organ that draws visitors for recitals as well as liturgy. Welcoming Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, ushers and greeters, the parish is an easy stop on the Green Line and an anchor of downtown Catholic worship.
Mass times at St. Louis King of France
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 6:15 AM (in the Chapel)
- Monday–Saturday: 11:15 AM (in the Chapel)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (in the Chapel)
- Not offered on Holy Days or Holidays
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Exposition — Wednesdays, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Our Church
The parish sits at the corner of Tenth and Cedar Streets in downtown Saint Paul, just steps from the Green Line 10th Street Station. The 1909 Romanesque sanctuary, with its twin towers and interior columns of polished Minnesota granite, is counted among the architectural masterpieces of the Archdiocese. A Casavant Frères organ installed in 1998 anchors the music program, and Tuesday organ recitals (September through May) draw visitors beyond the regular congregation. The adjoining rectory on the third floor has been home to the Marist pastors for decades.
History of the Parish
St. Louis, King of France was founded in 1868 to serve the French-speaking Catholics of Saint Paul and dedicated by Bishop Thomas L. Grace on December 20 of that year. After outgrowing the original church, the community purchased the former Universalist Church at Wabasha and Exchange in 1881. In 1886 Archbishop John Ireland, himself educated by the Marists in France, invited the Society of Mary to take over the parish — a 140-year pastorate that ended in June 2026.
- 1868 — Parish founded; first church dedicated December 20, 1868 by Bishop Thomas L. Grace.
- 1881 — Congregation moves to the former Universalist Church at Wabasha and Exchange.
- 1886 — Archbishop John Ireland, with the blessing of Pope Leo XIII, entrusts the parish to the Marist Fathers.
- 1909 — Present twin-towered Romanesque church completed; designed by Emmanuel Masqueray.
- 1998 — Casavant Frères organ installed.
- June 2026 — Marist Fathers depart after 140 years; parish returned to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis with Rev. Kyle Etzel as incoming pastor.
Saint Louis IX, King of France
The parish takes its name from Saint Louis IX (1214–1270), King of France, whose feast day is August 25. Louis bound himself at his coronation to behave as God's anointed and as father of his people, and he is remembered for bringing peace and justice to France after two violent reigns. A biography of the patron saint is featured on the parish website under 'Our Church.'
Clergy & Staff
The parish has been served by the Society of Mary (Marists) for 140 years. As of the most recent bulletin, three Marist priests are in residence, with Fr. Joseph C. Hurtuk, S.M., as pastor and two senior Marist religious in residence. In June 2026 the Marists formally returned the parish to the Archdiocese and diocesan priest Rev. Kyle Etzel is set to succeed Fr. Hurtuk. Lay staff keep the parish office, music program, and buildings running daily.
- Fr. Joseph C. Hurtuk, S.M. — Pastor (through June 2026)
- Fr. Roland A. Lajoie, S.M. — Senior Marist Religious in Residence
- Fr. John A. Sajdak, S.M. — Senior Marist Religious in Residence
- Rev. Kyle Etzel — Incoming pastor, June 2026
- Katherine E. (Kathy) Omann — Administrative Assistant / Safe Environment Coordinator
- Ramona P. Woessner — Part-time Secretary
- Larry Martin — Choir Director / Organist
- Luke Slivinski — Cantor
- James A. Wrede — Custodian
- Suzanne Yvonne Schultz — Cuisinière
- Patrick L. Gonda — Trustee
- Robert R. Juaire — Trustee
- Jennifer Brodt — Liturgical Ministries volunteer
- Mary Bakewell — Liturgical Ministries volunteer
- Dee L. Hobbie — Bulletin Advertising (651-343-0035)
Devotions & Devotional Life
The parish maintains a rich traditional devotional calendar woven into the daily Mass schedule. A parish favorite is the Tuesday organ recital after the 12:10 PM Mass from September through May, which showcases the 1998 Casavant Frères instrument to the wider community.
- Miraculous Medal Novena — Mondays at 12:00 noon
- Rosary Recitation — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 11:35 AM
- Eucharistic Exposition — Wednesdays, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday Organ Recital — Tuesdays after 12:10 PM Mass (September–May)
- Anointing of the Sick — First Monday of the month at all Masses (except Holy Days and Holidays)
Sacraments
Baptisms are celebrated on the second Sunday of each month, with a required personal interview with the pastor at least one month in advance. First Communion and Confirmation are arranged through the parish office at the start of the school year. Weddings are reserved for couples who have been registered, supportive parishioners for at least two years, with a six-month lead time to meet with the pastor.
- Baptism — second Sunday of each month; one-month advance interview with the pastor
- First Communion & Confirmation — contact the parish office at the start of the school year
- Marriage — for registered parishioners of at least two years; six-month advance meeting with the pastor
- Anointing of the Sick — first Monday of the month at all Masses; on-call for emergencies via the parish office
- Funerals & Last Rites — funeral home contacts the parish directly; for last rites, call the parish office
Liturgical Ministries
The parish welcomes new volunteers into its liturgical ministries at any time. Those interested in reading at Sunday Mass or distributing Holy Communion are encouraged to call the parish office.
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Greeters
Music Program
Music is a particular hallmark of the parish. The 10:00 AM Sunday Mass is sung as a High Mass with the choir, and the Casavant Frères organ (installed 1998) is featured in a weekly Tuesday recital after the 12:10 PM Mass from September through May. Choir Director/Organist Larry Martin and Cantor Luke Slivinski lead the program.
- Choir Director / Organist — Larry Martin
- Cantor — Luke Slivinski
- Casavant Frères organ (1998)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Joseph C. Hurtuk, S.M.
Long-serving Marist pastor; led the parish for roughly two decades from the third-floor rectory. Departed with the Marist community in June 2026.