About St. Patrick's Catholic Church · Edina, Minnesota
The Church of St. Patrick is a Catholic parish in Edina, Minnesota, with roots stretching back to 1857 when Irish immigrants named a small log church after their patron, St. Patrick. The current parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and serves its community through daily and weekend Masses, faith formation for children and adults, music and liturgy programs, and outreach efforts such as VEAP food shelf and Guatemalan water filter missions. Under pastor Fr. Allen R. Kuss and a dedicated lay staff, the parish is currently pursuing a 3-Year Strategic Plan focused on 'Know, Grow, and Go!' — growing active households, deepening faith formation, and serving neighbors.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Allen R. Kuss
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a welcoming, family-oriented Catholic parish with a clear vision 'to be a welcoming Catholic Community for all, as we Journey together in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.' Families find formation for every age — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3 through 3rd grade, youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, and adult opportunities like Journey Together, Grandmas in Prayer, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and OCIA. Life at the parish is also shaped by a strong music and liturgy program, dedicated Women's and Men's clubs, an active Garage Sale tradition, and outreach to local food shelves and international missions like the Guatemalan Coban water filter project.
Mass times at St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00pm–4:45pm
- Sunday: 9:15am–9:45am
Adoration times
- First Fridays of the month: after the 8:00am daily Mass until 9:30am
About the Church of St. Patrick
The Church of St. Patrick is a Catholic parish in Edina, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish's story begins with a small log church built in 1857 by Irish immigrants and dedicated to St. Patrick, patron of Ireland. Today the parish gathers for daily and weekend Mass, offers formation for every age, and supports outreach to local and international neighbors.
Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan
The parish's vision is 'To be a welcoming Catholic Community for all, as we Journey together in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, to better know, love, and serve our Lord, and care for our sisters and brothers in the beauty and sanctity of life.' Its mission is 'To create a vibrant, thriving, and supportive parish centered on the love of God, growth in our Faith, and service to our neighbors.' The parish is currently operating under a 3-Year Strategic Plan themed 'Know, Grow, and Go!' with objectives to grow active households, expand formation, deepen volunteer leadership, and serve the wider community.
- Year 1 result: 47 new households (versus 34 the prior year)
- Year 1 result: Financial participation rose from 64% to 70%
- Year 2 target: 800 active households and a 10-month liquidity goal
Our History
St. Patrick's roots go back to the early 1850s and the Irish settlement of Cahill. The original log church of 1857 was replaced in 1884 and again in 1925. In 1955 the parish purchased 27 acres for a future church and school; a sanctuary, social hall, and classrooms followed in 1961. Although the planned school never opened, the classrooms became the foundation for parish faith formation. The present church was completed in 1980, and the parish has continued to grow, expand, and serve the Edina community ever since.
- 1857 — Original log church built by Cahill Irish settlers
- 1884 — First church replaced
- 1925 — Second church built
- 1955 — 27 acres purchased for future church and school
- 1961 — Sanctuary, social hall, and classrooms completed
- 1980 — Present church completed
Sacraments
St. Patrick's celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. The parish website outlines preparation pathways for Eucharist (including First Eucharist), Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders.
- Eucharist
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Patrick's spans the early years through adulthood. The centerpiece for young children is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-rooted, hands-on program in a prepared 'Atrium' space for ages 3 through 3rd grade. Older children and teens are served through youth ministry programming for 4th–6th grades, 7th–8th grades, and high school Confirmation (in partnership with neighboring Our Lady of Grace).
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3 through 3rd grade) — Cinthia Biros, Level I & II Certified Catechist
- Youth Ministry (4th–6th grade)
- Youth Ministry (7th–8th grade)
- High School Confirmation
- College Age ministry
Adult Faith Formation
Adults at St. Patrick's can grow in faith through small groups, Bible studies, and prayer ministries. Weekly and monthly gatherings offer fellowship and formation for men, women, and co-ed groups.
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Journey Together — Thursdays, 8:30am coffee / 8:45–10am meeting, men and women of all ages
- Grandmas in Prayer — Mondays, 1–2pm in St. Catherine's Room
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — knitting, crocheting, or sewing for the ill and lonely; free yarn and patterns provided
Parish Clubs and Community Life
Parishioners gather through long-standing parish clubs that run programs, host events, and support parish life. The annual Garage Sale is one of the parish's most successful traditions, and the parish also celebrates its Irish heritage with an annual Pub Night on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day.
- Women's Club of St. Patrick
- Men's Club of St. Patrick
- Annual Garage Sale
- Annual Pub Night (the Saturday before March 17)
Music & Liturgy
Music and liturgy are led by a Director of Music & Liturgy (Paul Peterson) and are central to weekend and Holy Day celebrations. The parish also livestreams its Sunday Mass for those unable to attend in person.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Paul Peterson
- Sunday Mass livestreamed online
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is one of the parish's three strategic priorities ('Go!'). In addition to ongoing support of local and international causes, parishioners contribute time, talent, and treasure through parish-wide appeals and recurring collections.
- VEAP food shelf
- Veterans clothing collection
- Guatemalan Coban water filter mission
Stewardship and Legacy Giving
St. Patrick's has a Permanent Endowment Legacy Fund — currently at $153,949 — supported by a matching program and sound investment strategy. The parish welcomes legacy gifts through bequests, real estate, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, and beneficiary designations.
- Permanent Endowment Legacy Fund
- Real estate gifts
- Life insurance beneficiary designations
- Charitable gift annuities
- Bequests
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Allen R. Kuss and supported by a team of lay staff handling music, faith formation, communications, business, events, facilities, and safe environment.
- Pastor: Fr. Allen R. Kuss — (952) 767-0940
- Office/Communications: DeAnn Brandel — (952) 767-0945
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Paul Peterson — (952) 767-0946
- K-6 Family Faith Formation / CGS: Cinthia Biros — (952) 767-0948
- Family Faith Formation Assistant: Rita Vannett
- Administrative Assistant: Cate Evert — (952) 767-0944
- Business Administrator & Safe Environment Coordinator: Bill Schnobrich — (952) 767-0950
- Events Coordinator: Anastasia Lynch — (952) 767-0952
- Facilities Manager: Severo Garcia — (952) 767-0955
- Building & Ministry Support: Doug Wayman
Visiting & Contact
The parish offices are open Monday–Thursday 8:30am–4:00pm and Friday 8:30am–Noon. Visitors are warmly welcomed to weekend Masses and are invited to explore faith formation, adult groups, and parish clubs.
- Address: 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina, MN 55439
- Phone: (952) 941-3164
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30am–4:00pm; Fri 8:30am–Noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Greg Welch
Referenced in a 2010 Catholic Digest article as then-pastor of St. Patrick's Edina, speaking about the parish's annual Pub Night.