About St. Michael · Stillwater, Minnesota
The Church of St. Michael in Stillwater, Minnesota is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the state, founded in 1853 by Fr. Daniel Fisher on the banks of the St. Croix River for a community of largely Irish immigrants working in the lumbering town. Today St. Michael shares priests, school, faith formation, and youth ministry with the neighboring Church of St. Mary just one block away, forming a combined household of nearly 2,000 families across the St. Croix Valley. The parish is in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and runs perpetual Eucharistic adoration (since 1995), two Catholic Worker Houses for women and children, a sister parish in Tanzania, and partners with St. Charles of Bayport in running St. Croix Catholic School — the oldest Catholic school in Minnesota (founded 1856).
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Fr. Michael Creagan
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Michael and its partner parish of St. Mary welcome nearly 2,000 families across the St. Croix Valley into a worship life that includes daily Mass in two historic churches, perpetual Eucharistic adoration (since 1995), and an ASL-interpreted Sunday Mass. The community lives out the works of mercy in remarkable ways: operating two Catholic Worker Houses for women and children, caring for residents of nine nursing homes, running prison ministry, sustaining a sister parish in Tanzania, and gathering each Advent through the Giving Tree and Christmas Outreach to serve neighbors in need. Add in St. Croix Catholic School — the oldest Catholic school in Minnesota — and a robust roster of ministries (Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Holy Face prayer, hospitality, and youth ministry), and you have a parish that combines deep heritage with hands-on service.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM (St. Michael's)
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM (St. Michael's)
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM (St. Michael's)
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM (St. Michael's)
- Friday: 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM (St. Michael's)
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM (St. Mary's)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM (St. Michael's)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration — St. Faustina Adoration Chapel at the Church of St. Michael (since 1995); sign up for a regular Holy Hour at stmichaelstmary.weadorehim.com
History of the Parish
The parish traces its roots to 1849 when missionaries first celebrated Mass in Stillwater homes, and was formally founded in 1853 by Fr. Daniel Fisher on the banks of the St. Croix River. The present St. Michael church was dedicated in 1875 by Bishop Thomas L. Grace, completed on the Feast of St. Michael (September 29), and has welcomed worshippers continuously for over 170 years. Today the priests of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis serve St. Michael jointly with the neighboring Church of St. Mary (founded 1865) — together forming a combined community of nearly 2,000 families.
- Founded 1853 by Fr. Daniel Fisher, sent by Bishop Joseph Crétin
- Present church dedicated August 15, 1875; completed September 29, 1875 (Feast of St. Michael)
- Fourteen priests succeeded Fr. Fisher as pastor
- Many founding families still represented in the parish nearly ten generations later
- Partner parish: St. Mary's, Stillwater (founded 1865, consecrated 1884)
Notable Historical Connections
Two very different figures are linked to St. Michael's early history: Blessed Solanus Casey, the Capuchin friar whose case for sainthood advanced through Stillwater, was confirmed at St. Michael in 1883; and Catherine Harrigan, the mother of crooner Bing Crosby, was baptized at the parish in 1873. These connections give the parish an unusual place in both American Catholic and popular culture history.
- Blessed Solanus Casey confirmed at St. Michael in 1883
- Catherine Harrigan (Bing Crosby's mother) baptized here in 1873
- Blessed Solanus Casey House (Catholic Worker) named in his honor
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Michael Creagan (pastor since 2023) with Fr. Philip Conklin as parochial vicar. Jayne Windnagel serves as Pastoral Minister and Joan Mellor as Director of Liturgy & Music. The clergy and staff serve both St. Michael and St. Mary parishes jointly.
- Fr. Michael Creagan — Pastor (2023–present)
- Fr. Philip Conklin — Parochial Vicar
- Jayne Windnagel — Pastoral Minister (x229)
- Joan Mellor — Director of Liturgy & Music
- Pastoral line: 651-439-4400
Catholic Worker Houses and Outreach
St. Michael runs the Stillwater Catholic Worker Community, inspired by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, which operates two houses of hospitality for women and children — Blessed Solanus Casey House and Our Lady Queen of Peace House — and educates families in Catholic Social Teaching. The parish's broader outreach network reaches residents of Stillwater Residence, Hope House, the Catholic Worker Homes, Project Life, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, and the Missionary Sisters of Charity. Pastoral care is also provided for nine nursing homes, plus prison ministry, and the parish sustains a sister parish relationship in Tanzania.
- Blessed Solanus Casey House
- Our Lady Queen of Peace House
- Hope House, Stillwater Residence
- Project Life / St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Pastoral care for nine nursing homes
- Prison ministry
- Sister parish in Tanzania
- Christmas Outreach / Giving Tree
Parish Ministries and Groups
The parish supports an active mix of lay apostolates, fraternal organizations, and parish-life committees. The Hospitality Committee hosts the monthly 'Donut Sunday' and the annual welcome brunch for new parishioners; the Knights of Columbus Solanus Casey Council #1632 numbers about 350 members from across the St. Croix River Valley; and the Legion of Mary's St. Croix Praesidium leads parishioners in the Spiritual Works of Mercy.
- Hospitality Committee (Donut Sunday, welcome brunch)
- Knights of Columbus — Solanus Casey Council #1632 (~350 members)
- Legion of Mary — Mary, Our Lady of the St. Croix Praesidium
- Ushers of Blessed Solanus Casey
- Holy Face Prayer group
- Music and Liturgy (led by Joan Mellor)
St. Croix Catholic School
St. Croix Catholic School is the oldest Catholic school in Minnesota, founded in 1856, and is shared by St. Michael, St. Mary, and St. Charles of Bayport. The school is led by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee, together with lay staff, and currently serves about 400 students from preschool through 8th grade.
- Founded 1856 — oldest Catholic school in Minnesota
- Shared by St. Michael, St. Mary, and St. Charles of Bayport
- Led by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville, TN) and lay staff
- About 400 students, preschool through 8th grade
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Religious education and youth ministry are run as collaborative, tri-parish ministries across St. Michael, St. Mary, and St. Charles of Bayport, sharing resources and forming young parishioners in the Catholic faith alongside their school experience.
- Religious Education (tri-parish collaborative)
- Youth Ministry (tri-parish collaborative)
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 651-439-4400 ([email protected]) or sign up to serve through the Opportunities page. Volunteers are organized through Mr. Matt Crea (Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator), and Adoration Chapel coordination is handled by Ms. Samantha Bertrand. The parish also uses the We Adore Him scheduling platform for perpetual adoration sign-ups.
- Phone: 651-439-4400
- Email: [email protected]
- Adoration sign-up: stmichaelstmary.weadorehim.com
- Volunteer coordination: Mr. Matt Crea
- Adoration Chapel Coordinator: Ms. Samantha Bertrand (612-615-4393)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Daniel Fisher1853–1855
Founder; sent by Bishop Joseph Crétin to establish the parish on the St. Croix River.
- Fr. Thomas McManus1855–
Early successor.
- Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald1977–1987
- Fr. Robert Patterson1987–1989
- Fr. John Szarke1990–1991
- Fr. Michael Skluzacek1992–2004
- Fr. John LeVoir2004–2008
Ordained Bishop on September 15, 2008.
- Fr. Michael Miller2008–2015
- Fr. Michael Izen2015–2023
Ordained Bishop on April 11, 2023.
- Fr. Michael Creagan2023–present
Current pastor; serves both St. Michael and St. Mary jointly.