About St. Olaf · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saint Olaf Catholic Church is a downtown Minneapolis parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, located at 215 South 8th Street in the heart of the city. Founded in 1941 in the former Church of the Redeemer built by the First Universalist Society in 1876, it was named for the 11th-century Scandinavian warrior-saint in honor of Minneapolis's large Nordic population. After being destroyed by fire on Ash Wednesday 1953, the present Modern-style church was rebuilt and reopened on Ash Wednesday 1955, and today Saint Olaf celebrates the Eucharist 17 times a week for downtown residents, workers, and visitors — including a livestreamed noon daily Mass and Sunday 10:00am Mass.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- Saint Olaf (11th-century Norwegian warrior-king and patron saint of Norway)
- Rector
- Bishop Kevin Kenney
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Saint Olaf offers a rare rhythm of worship in the heart of downtown Minneapolis — the Eucharist is celebrated 17 times every week, with multiple daily Masses, a Saturday Vigil, five Sunday Masses (including a livestreamed 10:00am Mass), a monthly African Mass with song, dance and global languages, Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, and ample confession times for downtown workers, residents, and visitors. The parish is also a recognized center for sacred music, anchored by the Lively-Fulcher pipe organ and more than 100 parish musicians. Saint Olaf has served the urban poor for more than four decades through its Samaritan Ministry, Risen Christ Catholic School partnership, Habitat for Humanity builds, and the historic Exodus Residence supportive-housing project — making it both a busy liturgical church and a real social-outreach hub in the city's core.
Mass times at St. Olaf
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday through Friday following the 7:00am Mass
- Tuesday following the 12:00 Noon Mass
- Thursday following the 12:00 Noon Mass
- Saturday following the 12:00 Noon Mass
- Tuesdays 7:30am–8:30am in the Chapel (just after the 7:00am Mass)
- Fridays 11:00am–12:00 Noon in the Main Church (just prior to the 12:00 Noon Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 7:30am–8:30am in the Chapel (just after the 7:00am Mass)
- Fridays 11:00am–12:00 Noon in the Main Church (just prior to the 12:00 Noon Mass)
History of Saint Olaf Catholic Church
Saint Olaf stands on a corner that has been a place of Christian worship since 1876. The site was first built up by the First Universalist Society as the Church of the Redeemer, then rebuilt after an 1888 fire by Long and Kees (architects of Minneapolis City Hall). The Universalists sold the property to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 1941 for $112,500, and after remodeling it was rededicated as Saint Olaf Catholic Church on June 1, 1941 — named for the 11th-century Norwegian warrior-king in honor of the city's Scandinavian roots. Twelve years later, on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 1953, the church was destroyed by fire and had to be demolished. The present Modern-style building, designed by Thorshov and Cerny in Mankato-Kasota stone, was rebuilt and reopened on Ash Wednesday, February 23, 1955. Major additions followed: the Chapel of Saints John and Paul (1980), the parish center (1990), the purchase and operation of the Exodus Hotel (1995), the "Assisi on 9th" park (1996), and a sanctuary renovation with the Lively-Fulcher pipe organ (2001).
- 1876 — First Universalist Society builds Church of the Redeemer
- 1888 — Fire guts the Redeemer; rebuilt by Long and Kees and rededicated 1889
- 1941 — Sold to the Archdiocese for $112,500; rededicated as Saint Olaf, June 1, 1941
- 1953 — Destroyed by fire on Ash Wednesday, February 18
- 1955 — Present Modern church rebuilt, reopening on Ash Wednesday, February 23
- 1980 — Chapel of Saints John and Paul added
- 1990 — Parish center built
- 1995 — Parish purchases the Exodus Hotel for transitional housing
- 1996 — "Assisi on 9th" park created
- 2000–2001 — Sanctuary renovated; Lively-Fulcher pipe organ installed
The Patron Saint: Saint Olaf of Norway
Saint Olaf II Haraldsson (995–1030), king of Norway, is the patron of the parish. The name was chosen for Saint Olaf Catholic Church because of Minneapolis's large Scandinavian population. His feast day is July 29, and he is honored as an 11th-century warrior-saint and the eternal king of Norway.
The Monthly African Mass
On the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 Noon (prelude beginning at 11:45am), Saint Olaf celebrates a Mass with African traditions of song, word, dance, and global languages. The African International Choir, under the direction of Othello Collins, leads the music with a repertoire prominently African and multilingual. The 2026 schedule includes January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20.
- Celebrated on the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 Noon
- Prelude begins at 11:45am
- Music by the African International Choir
Pastoral Team & Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Bishop Kevin Kenney (transferred to Saint Olaf July 1, 2019 from Divine Mercy in Faribault, and originally an associate at Saint Olaf earlier in his ministry) along with Associate Pastors Fr. Wehmann and Fr. Terry Beeson. Parish staff include a Parish Administrator, Director of Social Ministry (Michael Griffin), Director of Liturgy (Michael Strande), Director of Music and Principal Organist (Joel Anderson), Director of the African International Choir (Othello Collins), Director of the Contemporary Ensemble (Roger Stratton), Music Assistant and Communications (Michaela Tucci), administrative and reception staff, and maintenance/security personnel.
- Bishop Kevin Kenney — Pastor
- Fr. Wehmann — Associate Pastor
- Fr. Terry Beeson — Associate
- Joel Anderson — Director of Music and Principal Organist
- Michael Strande — Director of Liturgy
- Othello Collins — Director, African International Choir
- Roger Stratton — Director, Contemporary Ensemble (4:00pm Sunday Mass)
- Michaela Tucci — Music Assistant and Communications
- Michael Griffin — Director of Social Ministry
Music Ministry & the Lively-Fulcher Pipe Organ
Sacred music is central to the life of Saint Olaf. More than 100 parish musicians serve in choirs and ensembles, anchored by a small core of professional cantors, vocal instructors, and instrumentalists. The choirs include the Saint Olaf Parish Choir (10:00am Sunday Mass), the Saint Olaf Contemporary Choir / Sunday Afternoon Ensemble (4:00pm Sunday Mass), the African International Choir, and the auditioned Vocal Consortium of staff singers. The parish also hosts the Saint Olaf Church Music Series, welcoming guest ensembles for concerts and recitals.
- Saint Olaf Parish Choir — Wednesday 6:30–8:30pm and Sunday 9:00am rehearsals
- Contemporary Choir — Sunday 2:30pm rehearsal
- African International Choir — Saturday 2:00–4:00pm rehearsal
Our Pipe Organ
In 1997 Pastor Fr. John Forliti appointed Dr. Merritt Nequette and a parish committee, with organ consultant Dr. Jonathan Biggers, to commission a new organ. Lively-Fulcher Organbuilders of Alexandria, Virginia (Mark Lively, Paul Fulcher, and Patrick Quigley) were chosen; the instrument was installed in July 2001 and inaugurated February 9, 2002 in a series of concerts that included an organ recital by Dr. Lynn Trapp, a recital and master class by Guy Bovet, Pipedreams Live, and a premiere of an organ-and-orchestra work commissioned from Richard Proulx. The organ has 61 stops and 67 ranks (49 independent registers) across five divisions — Grand Orgue, Récit Expressif, Positif Expressif, Bombarde, and Pedale — tonal inspiration rooted in 19th-century France (Clicquot and Cavaillé-Coll). It supports the annual Messiah Sing with the Minnesota Chorale, drawing about 1,000 singers.
- 61 stops, 67 ranks, 5 divisions
- Tonal inspiration rooted in 19th-century France
- Inaugurated February 9, 2002
Charity and Justice
Saint Olaf has run an extensive social-outreach program since the early 1970s. The Commission on Charity and Justice guides the parish's social mission, drawing on the U.S. Bishops' document "Communities of Salt and Light." Programs include Samaritan Ministry, the Exodus Residence, Risen Christ Catholic School, Habitat for Humanity / Brush with Kindness, Craftworks Ministry, and the proposed Saint Olaf Housing Project.
Samaritan Ministry
Saint Olaf Samaritan Ministry (formerly the Social Outreach Program) continues a 43+ year tradition of serving those who come to the parish door in need. It provides a clean, gently-used clothing closet, household goods, food pantry items, limited transportation assistance for medical appointments and jobs, and one-on-one advocacy. Ministry hours for guests are Monday through Wednesday, 9:00am–11:00am (walk-ins welcome, no appointment needed). Volunteer opportunities include hospitality, guest services, sorting/organizing, and advocacy; direct-service volunteers require a background check, interview, orientation, and ongoing training. Contact Michael Griffin at [email protected] or 612-767-7632.
- Hospitality in the Forliti Gathering Room — Monday mornings beginning 7:30am
- Guest Services Monday–Wednesday 9:00am–12:00 Noon or 9:00am–2:00pm
- Sorters needed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Donations: food, clothing (especially large sizes), bed sheets, towels, cookware, small appliances
Exodus Residence & Saint Olaf Housing Project
The Exodus Residence, purchased by the parish in 1995 and leased to Catholic Charities, has provided more than one million bed-nights over thirty years as transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness. It was most recently home to 95 single men and women in need of low-cost, supportive housing. The parish is now finalizing the Saint Olaf Housing Project, which would convert the site into nearly 200 units of critically needed affordable housing in the heart of downtown while also generating revenue for parish ministries and upgrading the parking lot with covered parking.
- Exodus Residence: 95 residents, 30+ years, 1 million+ bed-nights
- Saint Olaf Housing Project: ~200 units of affordable housing proposed
Risen Christ Catholic School
Since 1998 Saint Olaf has partnered with Risen Christ Catholic School to provide volunteers and financial support for the school's mission of providing safe, academically challenging, faith-filled learning in the inner city, serving more than 300 students.
- Partnership since 1998
- More than 300 students served
Habitat for Humanity / A Brush with Kindness
Saint Olaf volunteers have worked with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity since 2002–2007 to build homes in North Minneapolis and Heritage Park, transitioning in 2009 to A Brush with Kindness to assist homeowners with maintenance like scraping, painting, and minor repairs. Annual volunteer days are scheduled each year (in 2026 the Brush with Kindness dates are May 20–21).
- Habitat partnership since 2002
- Brush with Kindness since 2009
Craftworks Ministry
The Craftworks Ministry gathers new and experienced crafters skilled in knitting, crochet, sewing, and other crafts to make items for Samaritan Ministry guests. The group meets Friday mornings from 10:00am to 11:30am in the Forliti Gathering Room. Yarn, fabric, needles, hooks, and sewing kits may be donated at the Front Reception Desk.
- Friday mornings 10:00am–11:30am in the Forliti Gathering Room
Livestream & Media
The 12:00 Noon weekday Mass (Monday–Friday) and the Sunday 10:00am Mass are livestreamed on the Saint Olaf YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/SaintOlafChurch/live) and on the parish Facebook page, "Saint Olaf Catholic Church Downtown Minneapolis." Sunday Mass is also broadcast on MCN Channel 6 on Sundays at 8:00pm and Mondays at 10:00am, and is available anytime at www.SaintOlaf.org/media. Bishop Kevin Kenney posts a weekday liturgical commentary on the front page of the website for personal reflection.
- YouTube: youtube.com/user/SaintOlafChurch/live
- Facebook: Saint Olaf Catholic Church Downtown Minneapolis
- MCN Channel 6 — Sundays 8:00pm / Mondays 10:00am
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Forlitithrough 1997 and beyond
Appointed Dr. Merritt Nequette and a parish committee in 1997 to lead the Lively-Fulcher organ project; led the outdoor service and pipe procession when the organ arrived.