About St. Pius V · Cannon Falls, Minnesota
St. Pius V Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis serving the small river town of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and the surrounding Goodhue County countryside. Its roots reach back to the 1850s, when Catholic Irish immigrant families settled along the Cannon River and were first served by missionary priests; the first church on the present site was built in 1860. Today the parish offers weekend and weekday Mass in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a full Faith Formation program for preschool through Grade 12, and a robust network of lay organizations including the Knights of Columbus and the Council of Catholic Women. The parish is currently led by Father Michael McClellan, who became Parochial Administrator in July 2024.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- Saint Pius V (Pope, 1566–1572)
- Rector
- Father Michael McClellan (Parochial Administrator, since July 2024)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Pius V is a multi-generational rural parish with deep roots in Cannon Falls — over 520 families have made it home, and many of the same Goodhue County families have worshipped on the same block since 1860. The parish offers something for every age and stage: weekday and Sunday Mass, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, a robust Faith Formation program running preschool through Grade 12 (with sacramental prep for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist in Grade 2 and Confirmation in Grade 10), and active lay communities like the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, the Cemetery Board, and a Prayer Chain / Greeting Card Ministry. It is the kind of small-town parish where parishioners help build, decorate, and ring the bells of their own church — and where everyone is invited to register and grow in faith together.
Mass times at St. Pius V
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (before the 5:00 PM Mass)
- Wednesday: 7:30–7:50 AM (before the 8:00 AM Mass)
- Friday: 7:30–7:50 AM (before the 8:00 AM Mass)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration, non-perpetual)
History of St. Pius V Catholic Church
St. Pius V traces its roots to the mid-1850s, when Irish Catholic immigrants settled along the Cannon River in western Goodhue County. Father Felix Tissot was assigned to the Goodhue County Missions in 1856, and the first church on the present site was built in 1860 after Father Pius Beyers purchased the two-acre lot from H. A. Van Campen. A second, stone church followed in 1864, and the present church was completed in 1965 and dedicated in 1966 by Archbishop Leo Binz. Generations of parish priests have guided St. Pius V through two centuries of growth — including the building of Calvary (St. Pius V) Cemetery in 1889, the 1985 classroom and kitchen addition, the 2013 elevator and handicap-restroom addition, the 2015 Marian Shrine, and the 2023 consecration of the new altar.
- 1856 — Father Felix Tissot assigned to Goodhue County Missions
- 1859 — Father C. J. Knauf becomes missionary assistant
- 1860 — Father Pius Beyers buys the two-acre site; first church built
- 1864 — Fr. John Ireland lays cornerstone of Mission Stone Church
- 1889 — Calvary Cemetery established under Father R. J. Fitzgerald
- 1894 — Foundation laid for second church
- 1963 — Decision to build new church under Father Ross G. Bigot
- 1965 — Present church completed; first Mass Dec. 5, 1965
- 1966 — Dedication by Archbishop Leo Binz (May 5, 1966)
- 1977 — Stained glass windows installed under Father Leon Bonin
- 1985 — Classroom / kitchen / office addition
- 1992 — Schelmerich Basilican Carillon bells installed
- 2013 — Elevator and handicap restroom addition (dedicated Dec. 22, 2013 by Father Ortega)
- 2014 — Replacement pews installed from a closed Minneapolis church
- 2015 — Marian Shrine dedicated by Bishop Andrew Cozzens
- 2023 — New altar consecrated April 30, 2023 by Archbishop Hebda
St. Pius V Church Today
St. Pius V is a multi-generational parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. As of 2002, 523 families belonged to the parish. Religious education is offered for children and youth from preschool through Grade 12. The Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, and many other parish groups provide opportunities for service within the parish and to the wider community. Father Michael McClellan has served as Parochial Administrator of St. Pius V in Cannon Falls and St. Joseph Church in Miesville since July 2024.
- 523 families (2002)
- Faith Formation preschool through Grade 12
- Active Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Pius V provides a comprehensive Catholic faith formation program for children and youth from preschool through Grade 12, meeting on Wednesday evenings during the school year. The program uses the Seton Press Catechism and the parish's FORMED.org subscription across all grades. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist takes place in Grade 2, and Confirmation is a one-year program in Grade 10 that includes a NET (National Evangelization Team) Retreat, Scripture Notes, and service projects. No student is denied a religious education for financial reasons.
- Grades PreK–8: Wednesday evenings, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM
- Grades 9–12: 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month
- Curriculum: Seton Press Catechism + FORMED.org (SPVSJ.FORMED.ORG)
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist preparation (Grade 2)
- Confirmation (Grade 10) — 1-year program with NET Retreat
- Tuition: $50 per child / $150 family max (3+ children); assistance available
- Director of Faith Formation: Matt Belford — [email protected], 507-263-2578 ext 11
Becoming Catholic — OCIA (RCIA)
Adults who feel called to join the Catholic Church are invited into the parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) process. The journey typically begins in the fall and culminates at Easter, when candidates are baptized, confirmed, and receive First Holy Communion, becoming full members of the Church. Classes meet three times per month and cover a wide range of Catholic teaching and practice; private instruction is also available for those with extraordinary circumstances.
- Begins in the fall each year
- Classes meet three times per month
- Ends at Easter with Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion
- Private instruction available for extraordinary circumstances
- Contact the parish priest to begin
Knights of Columbus
St. Pius V hosts an active Knights of Columbus council that brings together the parish's Catholic men for faith, service, and fellowship. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month in the lower level of the church, beginning with a prayer service at 6:40 PM followed by the business meeting at 7:15 PM. The council supports the parish through fundraisers, maintenance projects, youth programs, and donations of $3,000–$4,000 annually to local causes.
- Open to any practical Catholic man aged 18 or older
- Meets 2nd Thursday of each month (6:40 PM prayer, 7:15 PM meeting)
- Annual events include KC Breakfast, Free Throw Contest, Fish Fry, Tootsie Roll Drive, Fall Festival, Twins Game trip, Highway 52 cleanup, Columbus Day Banquet, Mass for Deceased Knights, and Christmas event
- Council Chaplain: Fr. Leonard Siebenaler
- Grand Knight (as listed historically): Barry Venn; Deputy Grand Knight: Matt Belford
Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
All adult women of the parish are members of the Council of Catholic Women. Upon registering in the parish, each woman is placed into one of several guild units — named for saints such as St. Frances Cabrini, St. Francis Assisi, St. Jude, St. Michael, St. Rita, and St. Theresa. The full guild meets in the fall and spring; individual units meet on their own regular schedule. A Commissioner of Pro-Life Affairs and an executive board coordinate service, fellowship, and parish-wide CCW work.
- Guild units: St. Frances Cabrini, St. Francis Assisi, St. Jude, St. Michael, St. Rita, St. Theresa
- Full guild meets twice a year (fall and spring)
- Pro-Life Affairs portfolio included on executive board
Parish Boards & Committees
Parishioners are invited to serve on the boards and committees that keep St. Pius V running. The parish lists its boards and organizations on its website and welcomes volunteers.
- Cemetery Board
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
- Finance Board
- Knights of Columbus
- Liturgy Committee
- Parish Council
- Prayer Chain / Prayer Group / Greeting Card Ministry
- Social Justice Committee
- Welcoming Committee
Sacraments — Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation & More
St. Pius V prepares parishioners for all the major sacraments. Baptism preparation is held the third Tuesday of each month (shared with St. Joseph, Miesville); couples preparing for marriage must contact the parish at least six months in advance and complete the FOCCUS pre-marriage inventory, a Natural Family Planning course, a weekend retreat, and roughly four meetings with the pastor or deacon. Confirmation is celebrated near the end of Grade 10; First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received in Grade 2.
- Baptism — 3rd Tuesday Pre-Baptism class; coordinated with Deacon Kevin Downie
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Grade 2
- Confirmation — Grade 10 (one-year program)
- Marriage — 6 months advance notice; FOCCUS, NFP, retreat, ~4 meetings
- Mixed marriages typically officiated by the deacon; priest officiates a wedding Mass when both parties are Catholic
- Vocations — referrals to the Archdiocesan Vocations Office (10000vocations.org)
St. Pius V Cemetery
Originally established in 1889 as Calvary Cemetery by Father R. J. Fitzgerald, the parish cemetery is now known as St. Pius V Cemetery and is still active. The parish maintains a Cemetery Board, publishes a Cemetery Brochure with pricing, and posts the current Cemetery Rules on its website.
- Established 1889 as Calvary Cemetery
- First burial: James Dordan, Jr. — August 12, 1889
- Now called St. Pius V Cemetery
- Parish Cemetery Board oversees the grounds
- Cemetery Brochure with Pricing available from the parish office
Parish Staff
The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and can be reached at 507-263-2578 (fax 507-263-8005).
- Father Michael McClellan — Parochial Administrator
- Father Leonard Siebenaler — Retired
- Deacon Kevin Downie (former parish deacon)
- Matt Belford — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Sue Franke-Clark — Music Director
- Cindy Meyers — Associate for Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12)
- Shawn Carpenter — Building and Maintenance Coordinator
- Parish Office (general): [email protected]
Visit, Register & Get Involved
New parishioners are warmly welcomed and invited to call the parish office to register. The parish describes itself as 'the heart of our Catholic Community here in Cannon Falls, MN and the home of a vibrant parish community' — with parish boards, committees, and ministries providing many opportunities to grow in faith. Annual traditions include the parish Fall Festival and the many KC and CCW events listed throughout the year.
- Call the parish office (507-263-2578) to register
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Annual Fall Festival is a major parish tradition
- Welcoming Committee helps new parishioners connect
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Felix Tissot1856–
Assigned the Goodhue County Missions two years before Minnesota statehood.
- Father C. J. Knauf1859–
Missionary assistant to Fr. Tissot.
- Father Pius Beyers1860s
Purchased the present two-acre church site from H. A. Van Campen in 1860; namesake of the parish.
- Father John Ireland (then-Fr.)1864
Set the cornerstone of the Mission Stone Church, built of locally quarried limestone.
- Father R. J. Fitzgerald1889
Received the property that became Calvary Cemetery.
- Father Edmund O'Connor1936–1945
- Father Edward F. Whelan1945–1955
- Father James Westphal1955–1963
- Father Donald Salt1959–1960
Assistant to Father Westphal.
- Father Michael Zwalnicki1960–1963
Assistant to Father Westphal.
- Father Ross G. Bigot1963–1969
Led decision to build the present church; old building torn down 1964, groundbreaking Dec. 22, 1964.
- Msgr. James Foran1969–1973
- Father Leon Bonin1973–1986
Oversaw installation of stained glass windows in 1977.
- Father Donald Tomlinson1986–1992
Tenure saw the 1992 replacement of the Campanile bells with Schelmerich Carillons.
- Father Roger Hessian1992–2005
- Father Jay Kythe2005–2012
- Father Fernando Ortega2012–2014
Dedicated the 2013 south-side addition; obtained replacement pews from a closed Minneapolis church in 2014.
- Father Terry Beeson2014–2024
Present at the 2023 altar consecration.
- Father Michael McClellan2024–
Current Parochial Administrator; also serves St. Joseph Church in Miesville.