About St. Therese · Sioux Falls, South Dakota
St. Therese Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was founded in 1917 as the second parish in the city, when St. Joseph Cathedral Parish had grown too large. Originally called St. John's Church, it was renamed by Msgr. John Cavanagh, its longtime pastor of more than 40 years, after his favorite saint, Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower of Jesus). After serving the east-side community near East 8th Street and North Cliff Avenue for decades, the parish relocated further east and entered its present-day facility in March 2000. Today St. Therese is a parish of approximately 650 families that describes itself as a 'spirit-filled' community of faith emphasizing good liturgies and warm hospitality.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower of Jesus)
- Rector
- Father Paul King
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux Falls
Why belong here
St. Therese is a mid-sized east-side parish of about 650 families that describes itself as a 'spirit-filled' community of faith with a priority on good liturgy and warm hospitality. Parishioners enjoy multiple Sunday Masses (Saturday 4:00 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, with the 8:30 AM Mass also livestreamed on YouTube) along with daily morning Mass Tuesday through Friday. The parish is served by a priest-pastor and two parochial vicars, complemented by a deacon, a music coordinator, and parish-school staff, making it a place where new members can find both vibrant worship and a personal welcome.
Mass times at St. Therese
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment
History of St. Therese Catholic Church
St. Therese Catholic Church was founded in 1917 as the second parish in Sioux Falls, when the city's original Catholic congregation at St. Joseph Cathedral had grown too large to comfortably serve the entire community. The new east-side parish was first named St. John's Church, and its earliest Masses were held under a tent for about a dozen families. After Msgr. John Cavanagh became pastor, he renamed the parish in honor of his favorite saint, Thérèse of Lisieux — the Little Flower of Jesus — and shepherded it for more than forty years. For most of its history, the parish was located just east of the Big Sioux River at East 8th Street and North Cliff Avenue. As Sioux Falls continued to expand eastward, parishioners voted in 1996 to relocate the parish further east, and the community entered its present facility in March 2000. The parish marked its centennial in 2017 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul Swain and a festival with food, bounce houses, kids' activities, and a silent auction.
- Founded 1917 as the second parish in Sioux Falls
- First known as St. John's Church; first Masses held under a tent
- Renamed for St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Msgr. John Cavanagh
- Voted to relocate in 1996; entered new facility March 2000
- Celebrated 100th anniversary in 2017 with Bishop Paul Swain
Parish Identity & Patron
St. Therese takes its name from St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), the French Carmelite nun known as 'the Little Flower of Jesus,' whose 'Little Way' of spiritual childhood has inspired Catholics for more than a century. The parish's feast day in her honor is October 1. The patroness fits the parish's self-description as a 'spirit-filled' community that emphasizes good liturgy and warm hospitality.
- Patron: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus
- Feast Day: October 1
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor and two parochial vicars, supported by a deacon and a lay staff that includes finance, music, administrative, and maintenance roles, as well as the principal of the parish school.
- Father Paul King — Pastor
- Father Jerome Ranek — Parochial Vicar
- Father Kristopher Cowles — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Thane Barnier
- Lisa Roers — Finance Manager
- Michelle Shillcox — Office Administrative Assistant
- Sarah Esser — Music Coordinator
- Dan Dwire — Building Maintenance
- Principal of St. Therese Catholic School
Parish School
St. Therese Catholic School is part of the parish's mission and is led by a principal who is listed among the parish staff. As a parish-affiliated school, it serves families of the parish and the wider east-side Sioux Falls community in the Catholic tradition.
- St. Therese Catholic School (parish school)
- Led by a principal on the parish staff
Parish Community & Life
St. Therese Catholic Church is a community of approximately 650 families on the east side of Sioux Falls. The parish describes itself as a 'spirit-filled' community of faith that places a priority on good liturgies and warm hospitality, with multiple weekend Masses, daily weekday Masses, and a parish school. Visitors and newcomers are welcomed by a staff that includes a pastor, two parochial vicars, a deacon, and a full team of lay ministers and school personnel.
- Approximately 650 families
- Spirit-filled community emphasizing good liturgy and warm hospitality
- Multiple weekend Masses plus daily morning Mass Tuesday–Friday
Visit, Contact & Location
St. Therese is located on North Tahoe Trail in east Sioux Falls, with parish offices open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The parish can be reached by phone during office hours and by fax at the number listed below.
- Address: 901 N Tahoe Trail, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
- Phone: 605.338.2433
- Fax: 605.339.2203
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. John Cavanagh
Longtime pastor (more than 40 years); named the parish after his favorite saint, Thérèse of Lisieux