About St. Stanislaus · Saint Paul, Minnesota
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (also called St. Stanislaus of Kostka) is a Roman Catholic parish in Saint Paul's West 7th Street neighborhood, founded in 1872 by Czech immigrants as the fourth parish in St. Paul. Now past its 150th anniversary, the parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and continues to treasure its Czech heritage while welcoming a diverse community of more than 1,000 families. The parish's mission statement — 'Experience God's love on our spiritual journey. Accept everyone, regardless of their background. Provide a safe haven for all in a Christian faith-sharing community' — captures the welcoming tone shaped by long-time pastor Father John Clay and carried on today by Father Dennis Thompson and Father Mike Monogue.
- Established
- 1872
- Patron
- St. Stanislaus of Kostka
- Rector
- Father Mike Monogue (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Stanislaus is a parish with deep immigrant roots and a present-day commitment to being a safe and welcoming home for everyone, regardless of background. Weekend Masses, a Saturday Vigil, weekday adoration, and a Saturday afternoon confession slot make the sacraments accessible, while CCD, First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation preparation (led by Youth Formation Coordinator Leslie Lucas) keep the parish focused on forming the next generation. The parish also opens its building to AA, Al-Anon, and a Men's Spirituality group, making it a true neighborhood hub on St. Paul's West 7th corridor.
Mass times at St. Stanislaus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Sunday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Our History
St. Stanislaus was founded in 1872 by Czech immigrants (joined by several Polish families) and is the fourth parish in St. Paul. After early ethnic tensions, the parish was shaped for nearly 40 years by Father John Rynda (1886–1924), who built the second church and the school. The 1934 fire destroyed the brick church; the present English Gothic church was designed by Cyril Pesek and dedicated in 1941. Father John C. Clay (1975–2019) was the first non-Czech pastor and led the parish through the Vatican II transition. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022.
- 1872 — parish founded; 60×26-foot frame church built
- 1880 — Polish families depart to found St. Adalbert's
- 1886 — Father John Rynda arrives; brick Gothic church built
- 1893 — Antonín Dvořák stays overnight at the rectory
- April 15, 1934 — fire destroys the brick church
- 1940–1941 — present English Gothic church built; first Mass May 5, 1941
- 1975 — Father John C. Clay becomes first non-Czech pastor
- 2019 — Father Clay retires; Archbishop Hebda concelebrates farewell Mass
- 2020 — Father Clay dies (Sept. 13); buried at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights
- 2022 — 150th anniversary
About Us — Mission & Parish Identity
St. Stanislaus's mission statement reads: 'Experience God's love on our spiritual journey. Accept everyone, regardless of their background. Provide a safe haven for all in a Christian faith-sharing community.' The parish tagline — 'Holy is any place that is safe to tell your story. Holy is any place that creates justice.' — was the beloved formulation of Father John C. Clay. The parish is governed by a Pastoral Council, a Corporate Board (which includes the Archbishop, Vicar General, and elected members), and a Finance Council.
- Pastoral Council: Dave Bredemus, Terry Alvarado, Rebecca Nordstrom, Kathy Thees, Mark Thiel
- Corporate Board: Archbishop, Vicar General, Rebecca Nordstrom (Secretary), Dave Bredemus (Treasurer), Father Mike Monogue
- Finance Council chaired by Patrick T. Stead
Clergy & Staff
Father Dennis Thompson serves as the parish's Liturgical Priest, having stepped into the role after Father John C. Clay's retirement in 2019. Father Mike Monogue serves as Parochial Administrator. The parish is supported by a long-tenured lay staff.
- Father Dennis Thompson — Parish Priest / Liturgical Priest
- Father Mike Monogue — Parochial Administrator
- Kim Myers — Parish Business Administrator (since 2015)
- Barb Johnson — Kitchen Coordinator and Funeral/Resurrection Choir (since 2009)
- Tim Lucas — Buildings Manager (since 2012); Fall Festival chair
- Pat Heroff — Parish Secretary and Sacristan
- Leslie Lucas — Youth Formation Coordinator
Sacraments
St. Stanislaus prepares children and youth for the sacraments of initiation and welcomes adults and families to the regular sacraments of baptism, confession, first communion, confirmation, and matrimony.
- Baptism: 2nd and 4th Sundays after the 10:00 AM Mass — contact Pat Heroff (651-964-2808, [email protected])
- First Communion: 2nd graders (and older 3rd–4th graders) via Sunday CCD, 9:00–10:00 AM
- First Reconciliation: 3rd grade+, October Sunday classes 11:15 AM–12:30 PM in the Parish Center
- Confirmation: grades 9–12, every three years — contact Leslie Lucas
- Confession: Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM
- Weddings: contact Pat Heroff to arrange rehearsal and ceremony
Faith Formation & Youth
Leslie Lucas coordinates youth faith formation at St. Stanislaus, including the CCD program (Sundays during the school year) and the Youth Group for grades 7–12. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is woven into the program.
- Religious Education / CCD — Sundays during the school year
- First Communion preparation for 2nd–4th graders
- First Reconciliation classes in October
- Confirmation every three years for grades 9–12
- St. Stan's Youth Group for grades 7–12
Music & Liturgical Life
Music ministry includes the parish's Funeral and Resurrection Choirs, coordinated by Barb Johnson. The present church retains stained-glass windows and statues donated by parishioners and societies over the generations, and a 1958 redecoration added a new altar to the 1940 English Gothic interior.
- Funeral Choir / Resurrection Choir — contact Barb Johnson (651-216-3295)
- 1958 interior redecoration and new altar
- Stained-glass windows donated by individual parishioners
- Statues donated by parish societies
Community Outreach & Hospitality
The parish is a hub for both internal fellowship and neighborhood outreach. Community Outreach ministries benefit the West 7th neighborhood, and St. Stanislaus also opens its doors to several community support groups.
- Community Outreach ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul and other charitable works (per local press coverage)
- Hosts AA, Al-Anon, and a Men's Spirituality group
- Safe Environment program (per Archdiocesan requirement)
Architecture & Building
The present St. Stanislaus church — the third building on or near this site — is a 1940 English Gothic–style church designed by architect Cyril Pesek. It was built at a cost of $100,000 after the 1934 fire destroyed the 1886 brick Gothic church. The first Mass was celebrated in it on May 5, 1941, with Archbishop Murray blessing the building and the Knights of St. George as honor guard. The adjacent building (formerly the parish school) is now a Montessori daycare.
- 1940 — third church built, English Gothic style
- Architect: Cyril Pesek
- First Mass: May 5, 1941 (1,000+ in attendance)
- 1958 — redecorated, new altar
- Former parish school (1886 frame, 1902 brick, 1951 addition) leased in 1982, sold to Montessori daycare
Visit, Location & Contact
St. Stanislaus is located on St. Paul's West Side / West 7th corridor, with the church building facing Western Avenue at the corner of South Western Avenue and Superior Street. Mass intentions, baptisms, weddings, and confessions can be arranged through the parish office.
- Address: 398 W Superior St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
- Phone: (651) 224-7998
- Email: [email protected]
- From the north: I-35E south to St. Clair Ave exit, left to W 7th, left to Western Ave
- From the south/MSP: W 7th east past St. Clair to Western Ave, soft left — church on left
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Maly1861–1872 (visiting from New Prague before parish was formed)
Early Czech priest who ministered to the Czech faithful in St. Paul before the parish was founded.
- Father Steinocher1874
First Czech pastor; left due to Polish parishioners' resentment.
- Father Onufrius Stroelkecirca 1875
Polish priest who served only about a year.
- Father Frantisek Tichy1877–1880
Czech priest; saved for a rectory; the Polish families left during his tenure to found St. Adalbert's.
- Father Honoratus Povolny1882–1884
- Father John Rynda1886–May 1924
Nearly 40 years as pastor; built the brick Gothic church, the parish school, and brought the Catholic Workman benevolent society to St. Paul.
- Father Wenceslas Jiracek1939–1966 (with interruptions for health, 1946–1947)
Oversaw construction of the present English Gothic church (1940) and first Mass in 1941.
- Father Richard Skluzacek1947–1966 (administrator)
Ran the parish when Father Jiracek was unable to.
- Father Charles Jirik1966
- Father Alfred 'Al' Skluzacek1967
Known on West 7th for his work helping the poor and improving neighborhood life.
- Father Ross Bigot1974
- Father John C. ClayJune 2, 1975 – 2019
First non-Czech pastor; implemented Vatican II reforms. Retired in 2019; died September 13, 2020.
- Father Dennis Thompson2019–present
Parish Priest / Liturgical Priest since Father Clay's retirement.
- Father Mike Monoguecurrent
Parochial Administrator; serves on the parish's Corporate Board.