About St. Patrick · Brownsville, Minnesota
St. Patrick's Parish in Brownsville, Minnesota, is a historic Catholic community founded in 1859, known for its strong commitment to worship, faith formation, and outreach. The parish shares a pastor with St. Mary's Church in Caledonia as part of a diocesan clustering plan. It offers regular Mass, Confession, Adoration, and a variety of ministries including youth, bereavement care, and pastoral counseling. The parish is led by Pastor Father Andrew Vogel, who joined in July 2023, and continues to steward the beautiful red brick church and its surrounding facilities.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Father Andrew Vogel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona
Why belong here
St. Patrick's offers a welcoming community for worship, service, and spiritual growth. Parishioners are encouraged to participate in ministries like youth ministry, bereavement care, and outreach. The parish provides sacraments, pastoral counseling, and regular opportunities for prayer and fellowship, including Sunday Mass, Adoration, and Confession.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. each Sunday, prior to Mass
Adoration times
- Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
History
The first Catholic services in Brownsville were held in homes by clergy passing through. The church was built in 1859 and named St. Patrick's. A larger red brick church was erected in 1871–1872 at a cost of $15,000. A grand bell was purchased for $300. On February 23, 1929, a fire destroyed the church, leaving only four walls. Restoration began immediately. In 1954, a new rectory was built for $34,000. In 1982, the roof was replaced and interiors refreshed. In 1999, Breza Hall was added. In 2004, the parish was linked with St. Mary's in Caledonia as part of a diocesan clustering plan. In 2006, the interior was refurbished. In 2007, heavy rain damaged the Hall roof, which was reconstructed and rededicated in May 2008.
Ministries
St. Patrick's offers a wide range of ministries to support the spiritual, emotional, and communal needs of its parishioners. These include youth ministry, bereavement care, pastoral counseling, Catholic education, spiritual formation, and outreach services. The parish also provides visits to the sick, homebound, and elderly, and supports the care of its historic church building.
- Youth ministry
- Bereavement care
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Catholic Education
- Spiritual formation
- Outreach and service outside the Parish
- Visits to the sick, homebound and elderly
Sacraments
The parish offers all seven sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation (Confession), Eucharist (Mass), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Confirmation. Sacraments are celebrated regularly and are available for all parishioners, including those preparing for entry into the Church.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Eucharist (Mass)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Confirmation
Pastor and Leadership
Pastor Father Andrew Vogel, born in South Korea and adopted by Iowa parents, was ordained in 2010. He served in several parishes before joining St. Patrick's and St. Mary's Caledonia in July 2023. Deacon Robert Yerhot serves alongside him. The parish also has a retired priest, Fr. Joe Schneider, and a seminarian, Stephan, who are part of the community.
- Father Andrew Vogel (Pastor)
- Deacon Robert Yerhot
- Fr. Joe Schneider (retired)
- Seminarian Stephan
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Andrew Vogel2023–present
Joined St. Patrick's and St. Mary's Caledonia in July 2023 after serving in Mapleton, Vernon Center, Good Thunder, and previously in Fulda, Currie, Westbrook, Wells, Easton, and Minnesota Lake.