About St. Mary of Czestochowa · Delano, Minnesota
St. Mary of Czestochowa is a small Catholic parish nestled amid the fields of rural Franklin Township, southeast of Delano, Minnesota, often called 'the little Polish church.' Founded as a mission by roughly fifty Polish families in 1884 and raised to parish status in 1940, it belongs to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and is currently pastored by Father Paul Kubista. The parish offers a full weekly Mass schedule, regular confession, Eucharistic adoration, and devotions such as the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, and gathers the community each year for its long-running parish festival.
- Established
- 1884
- Patron
- Our Lady of Czestochowa (Black Madonna)
- Rector
- Father Paul Kubista
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Mary of Czestochowa is a tight-knit country parish where many families can trace their roots back to the original Polish founders of 1884, and where the faith is passed on across generations through faith formation for youth and adults. The parish offers a complete sacramental life — daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, regular confession before every Mass, Wednesday adoration, a monthly First Friday Holy Hour, and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet woven into the week — along with lay ministry opportunities as lectors, sacristans, ushers, and Eucharistic ministers. The annual parish festival and the small, historic 'little Polish church' setting make it a warm, family-friendly place to belong or to visit.
Mass times at St. Mary of Czestochowa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:00 – 8:20 AM
- Tuesday: 6:00 – 6:10 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 – 8:10 AM
- Thursday: 8:00 – 8:10 AM
- Friday: 8:00 – 8:10 AM
- Saturday: 3:30 – 3:50 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Fridays: 9:00 – 10:00 AM (Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction)
Parish History
St. Mary of Czestochowa was founded in 1884 by about fifty Polish immigrant families who had settled in rural Franklin Township southeast of Delano and named their community after the Polish shrine city of Czestochowa. Two acres for the church and cemetery were donated by Nicholaus and Rosalia Schwirtz, and two more acres for a school were donated by John and Johanna Nalewaja; the land was deeded to Bishop Thomas L. Grace of St. Paul on June 12, 1884. The parishioners themselves built the original white frame church for $3,000 under Father J.B. Wenning. The church remained a mission of St. Peter's and then (from 1904) of St. Joseph's in Delano, was destroyed by lightning on June 19, 1913, rebuilt and dedicated on January 17, 1915, and was raised from mission to full parish status in 1940.
- Founded 1884 as a mission; raised to parish status in 1940.
- Named for the city of Czestochowa in Poland and its Black Madonna shrine.
- First funeral (Teresa Lyrek) and first wedding (Eva Fautsch and Joseph Lyrek) both held in 1884.
- Four corner chapels hosted the annual Corpus Christi procession until they were toppled on Halloween night, October 31, 1944.
- Pastors were originally brought out from Delano by horse and buggy, or cutter and bobsled in winter.
- A parish house just south of the church was blessed in the fall of 1947.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children and youth is coordinated by Co-Directors Rachel Depa and Heather Dickhausen. The parish follows the Archdiocese's standard path of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation (typically in 10th grade), and adults who have not yet been confirmed are invited to contact the parish office to arrange the sacrament.
- Faith Formation Co-Directors: Rachel Depa and Heather Dickhausen
- First Reconciliation and First Communion inquiries: Rachel Depa ([email protected])
- Youth Confirmation typically celebrated in 10th grade, with at least one prior year of religious education required
- Adult Confirmation available by arrangement with the parish office
- Resources posted online: Faith Formation Introduction Letter, Registration Form, 2025-2026 Calendar, Prayers to Know, Grade Prayer Requirements
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by a small staff and a strong corps of volunteer leaders. Father Paul Kubista serves as pastor, with Mary Kay Swartzer as administrative assistant and Karen Otto as music director; a maintenance team and Pastoral and Finance Councils help guide parish life.
- Pastor: Father Paul Kubista ([email protected])
- Administrative Assistant: Mary Kay Swartzer
- Music Director: Karen Otto
- Maintenance Team: Dave Leaf, Darik Stein, Matthias Jordan, Kevin Danielson, George Vanderlinde
- Chair, Pastoral Council: Katelyn Roiland
- Pastoral Council Members: Dale Lyrek, Kathleen Motzko, Katelyn Roiland, Chris Lins
- Chair, Finance Committee: Jack Sernett
- Finance Council Members: Jack Sernett, Judy Vanderlinde, Ted Chalupsky, Alex Brown, Ken Theis
- Trustees: Andy Motzko and Don Zimmerman
- Faith Formation Co-Directors: Rachel Depa & Heather Dickhausen
- Bulletin Editor / Safe Environment Coordinator: Kathleen Motzko ([email protected])
- Mass Intentions & Liturgical Duties: Sue Roskowiak
Liturgical Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities
Parishioners serve at the altar and welcome the community as lectors, sacristans, ushers, and Eucharistic ministers. Training is provided, and youth as well as adults are invited to participate. There is also a special need for adults willing to commit one hour on Wednesdays to adoration.
- Lectors — both youth and adult
- Sacristans — adult
- Ushers — both youth and adult; greet and seat parishioners, count attendance, take up the collection, distribute bulletins at Mass end, and deposit collection in the church safe after Mass; instructional training available
- Adoration volunteers — one hour on Wednesdays with the Lord; sign up in church
Sacraments
St. Mary celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments; preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is handled through the parish's Faith Formation program and the parish office. Confession is offered before every Mass, and the homebound and hospitalized can arrange visits through the parish's Pastoral Ministry Support team.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Confirmation (youth, typically 10th grade; adult by arrangement)
- Marriage / Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Confession — before every Mass (see schedule)
- Pastoral visits to the homebound and hospitalized — call the parish office
Parish Festival & Community Life
St. Mary is known for its strong sense of community and its long-running parish festival. The 43rd Annual Parish Festival is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 11 AM to 4 PM, celebrating 'faith, family, and community, and supporting each other's journey through life in the hands of God.' The parish also publishes a weekly Sunday bulletin with announcements and ministry schedules.
- 43rd Annual Parish Festival — Sunday, July 19, 2026, 11 AM – 4 PM
- Weekly Sunday bulletins posted online (bulletin editor: Kathleen Motzko, [email protected])
- Parish Calendar and Cemetery listed under the 'Our Parish' menu
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is located at the same address as the church, 1867 95th Street SE, Delano, MN 55328, and Father Kubista is happy to meet by appointment. Phone, email, and a printable bulletin keep parishioners and visitors connected.
- Parish Office: 1867 95th Street SE, Delano, MN 55328
- Phone: 952-955-1139
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Bulletin email: [email protected]
- Safe Environment Coordinator: [email protected]
- Appointments: please email or call to set up a meeting with Father