About St. Mary · New Trier, Minnesota
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a small historic parish in the unincorporated village of New Trier in southeastern Dakota County, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It was founded in 1856 by German and Luxembourg Catholic pioneers who named the parish and the surrounding town after Trier, Germany, and who called Mary by her German title of St. Mary Protectress (Schutz). Today the parish is one of a tri-parish community served by Fr. Mike Tix, alongside St. John the Baptist in Vermillion and St. Mathias in Hampton. Its striking 1909 red-and-white brick church, designed by George J. Ries in the Beaux-Arts style, sits prominently on a hill overlooking the town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- St. Mary Protectress (Schutz, in German) — the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Protectress
- Rector
- Very Reverend Michael (Mike) Tix — Parochial Administrator
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, historic Catholic community where generations of the same families have gathered for Mass, baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals for more than 160 years. Visitors are welcomed to Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m. and Friday daily Mass at 7:30 a.m., with Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday morning Reconciliation at the Parish Center in Hampton. It is a parish that actively invites involvement — through the Parish and Finance Councils, the Council of Catholic Women, faith formation, and other lay committees — making it easy for newcomers to become part of the community rather than remain on the margins.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (at the Parish Center in Hampton)
Adoration times
- Friday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Non-Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
St. Mary's was founded in 1856 by German Catholic pioneers who built their first log church on Mary Hill, where they also established the parish cemetery. The community — soon joined by Luxembourg immigrants — grew so quickly that within a few years a larger frame church was needed, and then in 1864 a large stone church facing west toward the cemetery. That 1864 cornerstone, inscribed "Sancta Maria Schuz Kirche," is preserved in the vestibule of the present church. The current red-and-white brick church was built in 1909 in the Beaux-Arts style by St. Paul architect George J. Ries. Over more than 160 years the parish has served as the spiritual home of generations of New Trier-area families and helped spawn four neighboring parishes: Cannon Falls, Miesville, Vermillion and Hampton.
- 1856: first log church built on Mary Hill; parish named St. Mary Protectress (Schutz)
- 1858–1859: larger frame church constructed
- 1864: stone church built facing the cemetery
- c. 1869: first parish school built
- 1900: present brick school constructed
- 1909: present red-and-white brick church built; architect George J. Ries; contractor Henry E. Lange
- 1979: church listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #79001233)
- 2009: St. Mary's School closed after inspiring 18 priests, 40 sisters and several brothers to religious life
The 1909 Church and Its Furnishings
The present church is a striking red-and-white brick Beaux-Arts building sitting high on a hill overlooking New Trier, designed in 1909 by George J. Ries of St. Paul (architect also of St. Agnes, St. Paul) and built by contractor Henry E. Lange. The facade features a baroque gable with corner finials, grouped pilaster strips of white brick, round-headed windows and doorways, a window shrine above the main door, and a domed belfry with a pyramidal roof that ties the building to churches in Germany.
- White-oak altar, side altars and Communion railing — E. Hackner, La Crosse, WI
- High-altar candlesticks — solid brass and onyx
- Stations of the Cross — The Frederick European Hotel, St. Paul (Fred H. Snyder, proprietor)
- Stained glass windows — Pittsburgh Glass of Minneapolis
- Our Lady and Child statue (above main entrance) — 1862, five feet tall
- Bells and baptismal font — reused from the 1864 stone church
- 1864 cornerstone — preserved overhead in the vestibule
Tri-Parish Community
St. Mary's is one of three parishes sharing a single priestly team. Fr. Mike Tix serves as Parochial Administrator of St. Mary (New Trier), St. John the Baptist (Vermillion) and St. Mathias (Hampton), and also serves as Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The tri-parish structure allows the small rural communities to share administrative staff, faith-formation resources, and the regional SJB school community.
- St. John the Baptist — Vermillion, MN (founded 1882 from St. Mary's families)
- St. Mathias — Hampton, MN (founded 1900 from St. Mary's families)
- St. Mary — New Trier, MN (founded 1856)
Our Staff
Parish operations are run by a small staff shared across the tri-parish community. Fr. Mike Tix leads the parishes as Parochial Administrator, Katie Werner serves as Business Administrator, and Sarah Nauer coordinates Faith Formation and Pastoral Care.
- Fr. Mike Tix — Parochial Administrator; 651-291-4449; [email protected]
- Katie Werner — Business Administrator; 651-437-9030; [email protected]
- Sarah Nauer — Faith Formation / Pastoral Care; 651-438-8680; [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the usual sacraments and encourages parishioners to plan ahead, particularly for marriage. Baptisms are flexible and can be held during or after Mass by request; marriages must be arranged at least 12 months in advance; Anointing of the Sick is arranged by contacting Fr. Mike Tix directly. Reconciliation is offered Saturday mornings at the Parish Center in Hampton.
- Baptism — by request, during or after Mass
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 9:00–10:00 AM at the Parish Center in Hampton
- Marriage — arrange at least 12 months before the wedding date
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Fr. Mike Tix
- Mass intentions / Prayer requests — contact the parish office
Parish Council and Finance Council
The combined Parish Council / Finance Council supports the pastor with consultation on matters affecting the faithful and advises on financial matters. Trustees and council members seek feedback from parishioners so the whole community can fully participate in the parish's mission.
- Trustees — Becky O'Donnell, Larry Hofmeister
- Council Members — Patti Kopp, Annette Werner, Stacey Beissel, Bob Reinardy, Melissa Beissel, Shirley Kimmes
Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
The Council of Catholic Women is one of St. Mary's active lay organizations. The group maintains standing committees (Funeral, Membership, Mission, Water, Cancer Home Drive, Blood Drive, etc.) and gathers regularly to support parish life and outreach. Officers serve one- and two-year terms.
- President — Laurie Otte
- Vice President — Maggie Langenfeld
- Past President — Jamie Reinardy
- Secretary — Gail Kimmes
- Treasurer — Elaine Gergen
Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation is an ongoing opportunity at St. Mary's to grow in Catholic faith and relationship with God and others. Programming is shaped by what parishioners ask for, and Sarah Nauer coordinates Faith Formation and Pastoral Care across the tri-parish community.
- Bible Study
- Video Series
- Quarterly Talk by the Pastor
- Faith Sharing Group
- Prayer Group
- Contact: Sarah Nauer — 651-438-8680, [email protected]
Getting Involved
Parishioners are encouraged to step into parish life through the councils, committees, and lay organizations listed on the parish website. A 'Get Involved' form on the parish's Councils & Committees page lets visitors indicate which area of service they are interested in, including Parish Council, Finance Council, the SJB School Advisory Committee, and the SJB Home & School Association.
- Parish Council
- Finance Council
- SJB School Advisory Committee
- SJB Home & School Association