About St. Peter · Mendota, Minnesota
Church of St. Peter is a Catholic parish in Mendota, Minnesota, often called 'the cradle of the Catholic Church in Minnesota' because its 1840 founding marked the first permanent Catholic presence in the state. Sitting at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, the parish is home to both the historic 1853 stone church (the oldest church in continuous use in Minnesota) and a modern church completed in 2005 to serve a growing community. Today it offers weekend and weekday Masses in the main and historic churches, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a full sacramental life, faith formation for all ages, and a wide range of parish and outreach ministries under the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
- Established
- 1840
- Patron
- St. Peter (Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Steven Hoffman
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Peter's offers the rare gift of worshipping in both Minnesota's oldest church in continuous use — the 1853 limestone chapel — and a beautiful modern church built in 2005 for a vibrant, growing community. Parishioners can grow in faith through perpetual Eucharistic adoration in the Chapel of the Nativity, faith formation for every age (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, elementary and middle school programs, youth ministry), and a rich life of outreach through Feed My Starving Children, Neighbors Inc., Loaves & Fishes, Sharing & Caring Hands, and a Community Caring for Life ministry. With weekday and weekend Masses, daily confessions, healing prayer ministries, and active pastoral and finance councils, it is a parish that honors its 1840 roots while embracing the synodal call to be witnesses to Christ.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:00–5:35 p.m. (Main Church)
- Friday: 8:00–8:45 a.m. (Main Church)
- Saturday: 3:30–4:45 p.m. (Main Church)
- Also available by appointment (call 651-905-4305)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Chapel of the Nativity — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Parish History — The Cradle of Minnesota Catholicism
Founded in April 1840 by Father Lucien Galtier at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, St. Peter's is recognized as the first permanent Catholic parish in Minnesota and 'the cradle of the Catholic Church in the state.' Before any church was built, Mass was celebrated in the home of Jean-Baptiste Faribault; the home collapsed in 1842, nearly killing Father Augustin Ravoux. A log chapel was dedicated on October 2, 1842, and the present limestone church was built by Ravoux in 1853 at a cost of $4,425. The 1853 stone church is the oldest church in continuous use in Minnesota and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 as part of the Mendota Historic District.
- Founded: April 1840 by Fr. Lucien Galtier (sent by Bishop Mathias Loras of Dubuque)
- Log chapel dedicated: October 2, 1842
- Present stone church built: 1853 by Fr. Augustin Ravoux
- Designated historic building by U.S. Department of the Interior: 1935
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Mendota Historic District): 1970
Historic Church & Building
The 1853 limestone church — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — remains in use for daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, weddings, funerals, and tours. A major 1975–1978 renovation restored it to its 1890s appearance, including a model of the late-19th-century bell tower replacing the 1954 steeple, a new floor, and restored wall paintings. In 2005 a modern main church was completed to accommodate a growing community; the two buildings share a common outdoor gathering space symbolizing the parish's history and future.
- 1853 stone church used for daily Mass, adoration, weddings, funerals, and tours
- 1975–1978 restoration returned the historic church to its 1890s appearance (cost: $284,000)
- 2005 modern main church completed for the growing community
- Shared outdoor gathering space between historic and modern churches
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Steven Hoffman, assisted by Deacon Tim Hennessey, and a full lay staff. The parish priest can be reached directly at 651-905-4305 (or through Executive Assistant Jennifer Nelson Kellar at the same number). The parish warns parishioners about email scams impersonating staff and reminds them that legitimate emails end in @stpetersmendota.org.
- Fr. Steven Hoffman — Pastor (651-905-4305)
- Deacon Tim Hennessey (651-905-4301)
- Jennifer Nelson Kellar — Executive Assistant to the Pastor / Healing Prayer Ministries (651-905-4305)
- Lisa Fontecha — Pastoral Associate (651-905-4304)
- Elizabeth McCanna — Director of Evangelization / Safe Environment Coordinator (651-905-4312)
- Bridgette Adler — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (651-905-4313)
- David Dunst — Director of Music and Liturgy (651-905-4323)
- Anne O'Keeffe — Community Life Coordinator (651-905-4308)
- Lisa Leverson — Communications Coordinator (651-905-4302)
- Lynn Kelley — Administrative Assistant / Baptism Program (651-905-4309)
- Peter Guzulaitis — Director of Parish Operations (651-905-4307)
- Karen Cronin — Accountant (651-905-4314)
- Tom Deshler — Maintenance Supervisor (651-905-4322)
Parish Leadership & Councils
Parish governance is supported by a Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Trustees, and a Synod Evangelization Team (SET). The Parish Pastoral Council serves a renewable 3-year term (max 6 years), meeting four times per fiscal year on the second Thursday of September, November, February, and May from 6:15–8:00 p.m. The Finance Council establishes the annual budget and works with staff and committees to ensure good stewardship.
- Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Sue Bielinski; Staff contact: Peter Guzulaitis (651-905-4307)
- Pastoral Council members include Tom O'Neill, Tim Bianchi, Mark Mischke, and others
- Finance Council presents the annual budget to the pastor for endorsement
- Trustees: Ann Hoey (Chair), Anne Igo (Vice Chair), Trish Reimann (Secretary), Andrew Elm, Mary Burns, Matt Reimann, Mike Maslow, Margaret Wolters, Dale Bachmeier
- Synod Evangelization Team of 12 parishioners/staff commissioned May 2023 (response to Archbishop Hebda's 'You will be My Witnesses' pastoral letter, December 2022)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Peter's offers a layered faith formation program for children and youth. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium is staffed by Bridgette Adler, complemented by an Elementary Religious Education Program, a Middle School Religious Education Program, Liturgy of the Word for Children during Mass, and St. Peter's Youth Ministry for older teens.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Bridgette Adler, 651-905-4313)
- Elementary Religious Education Program
- Middle School Religious Education Program
- Liturgy of the Word for Children
- St. Peter's Youth Ministry
Parish Life & Community
Parish life at St. Peter's is anchored by the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), a New Parishioner Welcome Team, Pastoral Care Visitors who bring Holy Communion to the homebound, and beloved community traditions such as the annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner. Anne O'Keeffe serves as Community Life Coordinator.
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
- New Parishioner Welcome Team
- Pastoral Care Visitors (EMHC to the Homebound)
- St. Patrick's Day Dinner
- Community Life Coordinator: Anne O'Keeffe (651-905-4308)
Community Outreach
St. Peter's has a vibrant outreach ministry reaching the local Mendota/Mendota Heights community and beyond. Parishioners regularly serve at Feed My Starving Children packaging events, volunteer at the Dorothy Day Center / Loaves & Fishes in Minneapolis, support the Neighbors, Inc. food shelf, donate to Sharing & Caring Hands, and serve as Historic Church Tour Guides. The parish also partners with 'A Community Caring for Life' for pro-life outreach.
- A Community Caring for Life
- Feed My Starving Children
- Historic Church Tour Guides
- Loaves & Fishes / Dorothy Day Center
- Neighbors, Inc. (Food Shelf Support)
- Sharing & Caring Hands
Pastoral Care & Sacraments
Pastoral Care is provided by the priest and pastoral care staff to parishioners in times of need. Lisa Fontecha, Pastoral Associate, coordinates marriage preparation and annulment inquiries; Lynn Kelley coordinates the Baptism Program; Fr. Steven and the staff are available for Anointing of the Sick, Communion to the Homebound (Pastoral Care Visitors), and Healing Prayer Ministries coordinated by Jennifer Nelson Kellar. The parish follows the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis for marriage annulments.
- Baptism: Lynn Kelley (651-905-4309)
- Marriage / Annulments: Lisa Fontecha (651-905-4304) or Fr. Steven
- Pastoral Care Visitors bring Holy Communion to the homebound
- Healing Prayer Ministries: Jennifer Nelson Kellar (651-905-4305)
- After-hours pastoral care: follow phone prompts at 651-452-4550
Faith Enrichment Resources
The parish website hosts a Faith Enrichment Resources page with audio and video recordings to help parishioners grow in their relationship with Christ — including Fr. Steven's Confession Talk and Lent/Passiontide talks, Deacon Tim on the Gift of Divine Mercy, homily series on the Year of the Eucharist, Discerning God's Will, Prayer of the Heart, and Lenten series from 2022, 2023, and 2025.
- Fr. Steven's Confession Talk
- Fr. Steven's 2026 Lent Talk: Opening to and Receiving God's Love
- Fr. Steven's Passiontide Talk: Joining Christ in His Passion (2023)
- Deacon Tim on the Gift of Divine Mercy
- Lenten Series (2022 Agape Love; 2023; 2025)
- Year of the Eucharist Homilies
- Wisdom and Trust Homily
- Discerning God's Will series
Visit, Contact & New Parishioners
The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (after-hours calls to 651-452-4550 follow prompts to reach pastoral care). A New Parishioner Registration Form is available on the website. The Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page and YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota, MN 55150
- Mailing: PO Box 50679
- Phone: (651) 452-4550 | Fax: (651) 456-0646
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Lucien Galtier1840–1844
Founder of the parish; sent by Bishop Mathias Loras of Dubuque to establish the first permanent Catholic presence at Mendota in April 1840 and built the original log chapel dedicated October 2, 1842.
- Fr. Augustin (Augustine) Ravoux1844–1857
Became pastor in 1844; built the present 1853 stone church. Celebrated nearly 500 baptisms, 100 weddings, and 65 funerals in his first five-and-a-half years.