About St. Timothy · Blaine, Minnesota
The Church of St. Timothy is a Catholic parish in Blaine, Minnesota, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Its story began in 1939 when a small community of North Metro families gathered for Mass in a private home, growing through the postwar decades into a thriving suburban parish. The current church was built in 1965 and continues to serve Blaine and the surrounding communities with weekend and weekday liturgies, faith formation for all ages, and a robust set of outreach ministries. The parish identifies itself as 'a supportive and vibrant Catholic community' that values God's presence in the Eucharist and is committed to outreach and peace.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- St. Timothy
- Rector
- Father Joe Whalen
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Timothy's combines a small-town feel with the resources of an established suburban parish. Mass is offered three times each weekend plus daily, the Saturday 5 p.m. liturgy is livestreamed and ASL-interpreted, and a daily rosary is prayed before weekday Mass. The parish runs formation for children, middle schoolers, and high schoolers; adult faith formation and OCIA (Becoming Catholic); and an unusually deep set of outreach ministries — including a Soup Line that has prepared meals for neighbors in need for thirty-six years, a food shelf garden that donates over 1,500 pounds of produce annually, refugee resettlement work, Family Promise of Anoka County, and the new A Place of Grace Outreach Center. If you want to be known, to serve, and to grow in faith, St. Tim's welcomes you.
Mass times at St. Timothy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Who We Are & Parish Mission
The Church of St. Timothy describes itself as 'a supportive and vibrant Catholic community' that values God's presence in the Eucharist and is committed to outreach and peace. Its mission statement was developed through a process led by the pastor and parish pastoral council with input from staff and parishioners, and in 2024 the parish adopted the tagline 'We are nourished in love and sent to serve.' Gathering together, members are strengthened by the Word, the sacraments, and community, and are sent out to share God's love with neighbors locally, nationally, and globally. The parish welcomes long-time members, newcomers, returning Catholics, and seekers — extending a special welcome to Catholics who have been away from the practice of the faith.
- Mission statement adopted through a pastor and parish pastoral council process
- Tagline adopted in 2024: 'We are nourished in love and sent to serve.'
- Welcomes returning Catholics and seekers exploring the Catholic faith
Parish History
St. Timothy's began in 1939 with Mass in a private home, then moved to the local public school in 1943. The first basement church was dedicated on May 7, 1944, by Archbishop John Murray. As the North Metro area grew after World War II, the parish purchased its current property, built a school staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque (from 1956), and dedicated the current church on May 23, 1965. The school closed in 1969, but the parish's commitment to formation for all ages has continued through parish programming. Recent campus updates include new sidewalks, a renewed bell tower, and new parking lots in 2013, the installation of a new crucifix icon in February 2024, and the opening of the A Place of Grace Outreach Center in November 2025.
- 1939 – First Mass in Wally and Kay Sweet's home with Fr. Joseph Lapinski
- 1943 – Sunday Mass moves to the local public school
- 1944 – First basement church dedicated May 7 by Archbishop John Murray
- 1953/1954 – Current property purchased
- 1956 – Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque staff the parish school
- 1959 – Gymnasium built; Masses move there
- 1965 – Current church dedicated May 23 by Archbishop Leo Binz
- 1969 – Parish school closes
- 2013 – New sidewalks, renewed bell tower, new parking lots
- 2018 – Original corner house (former rectory/convent) taken down
- 2024 – New crucifix icon dedicated in sanctuary
- Nov. 4, 2025 – A Place of Grace Outreach Center officially opens
Architecture & Sanctuary
The 1965 church structure remains the heart of the parish campus. While the exterior has stayed essentially the same, the interior has been remodeled several times. The sanctuary today features a large crucifix icon installed and dedicated in February 2024 and is also home to a handcarved wooden sculpture of St. Timothy. Recent grounds improvements include new sidewalks, a renewed bell tower, and new parking lots completed in 2013.
- Current church built and dedicated in 1965
- Multiple interior remodels over the decades
- Crucifix icon dedicated February 2024
- Handcarved wooden sculpture of St. Timothy in the church
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Father Joe Whalen, Pastor, and is assisted by Deacon Joe Frederick, who serves as Marriage Program Coordinator. The lay staff team supports liturgy and music, faith formation for all ages, communications, finance, and maintenance, along with several volunteer accompanists, cantors, funeral ministers, and receptionists. The parish office can be reached at 763.784.1329 or [email protected].
- Father Joe Whalen — Pastor
- Deacon Joe Frederick — Marriage Program Coordinator
- Cindy Novak — Senior Pastoral Associate for Life and Learning; Confirmation Coordinator
- Kristen Raaen — Coordinator for Children's Ministries & High School Youth Ministry; Safe Environment Coordinator
- Kayla McLellan — Coordinator of Middle School Youth Ministry
- Rhonda Miska — Director of Communications
- Cathy Sullivan — Director of Administration and Finance
- Bill Steffl — Maintenance Supervisor
- Anita Cholewa — Wedding Coordinator
- Carolin Breitbach, Sue Johnson, Jack Kirk — Funeral Ministers
- Therese Jorgensen — Coordinator of Liturgical Music
- Joy Heifort — Bookkeeper
- Amy Davison — Funeral Cantor
- Melita Anderson, Jessica Raaen-Tolzmann — Accompanists
- Nancy Kuehn — ASL Interpreter
Faith Formation
The parish offers formation programs that respect parents as the primary educators of their children (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2223). Classes are offered for children age 3 through 10th grade, with age-specific programming for Early Catholic Family Life, Mustard Seed Sunday School, elementary formation, First Sacraments, middle school, and high school. Adult Faith Formation and OCIA are coordinated by Cindy Novak.
- Children's Faith Formation (age 3 through elementary)
- Early Catholic Family Life
- Mustard Seed Sunday School
- First Sacraments preparation
- Middle School Faith Formation
- High School Faith Formation and Confirmation preparation
- Adult Faith Formation
- Safe Environment compliance required for all volunteers working with minors and vulnerable adults
Becoming Catholic (OCIA & OCIC)
St. Timothy's welcomes those exploring Catholicism through the OCIA process (formerly RCIA), for those aged 13 and older who would like to receive the sacraments of initiation — baptism, first communion, and confirmation. The parish also offers OCIC for older children needing sacramental preparation. OCIA sessions meet on Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 p.m. in Room 102 of the parish center, with rites and rituals during weekend Masses; a published schedule walks candidates through Church Tour, Sacramental Theology, the Rite of Acceptance, Scrutinies, and the Easter Vigil.
- OCIA for adults and teens aged 13+
- OCIC for older children needing baptism and first communion
- Weekly Wednesday sessions in Room 102 of the parish center
- Rites integrated into weekend Masses
Youth Ministry
Middle school and high school youth have a wide range of opportunities to share their time and talent at St. Tim's — from sharing musical gifts to assisting children's programs, contributing creative work to the Cornerstone, or serving on a committee. High school gatherings follow a four-part structure of Gather, Proclaim, Break, and Sending Forth, with a service session at Feed My Starving Children. The Living Stations of the Cross, presented since 2003, brings together youth in grades 6–12 as actors, narrators, musicians, and parents.
- Middle School Youth Ministry (Kayla McLellan)
- High School Youth Ministry & Confirmation (Kristen Raaen)
- Cornerstone (youth creative work)
- Living Stations of the Cross since 2003
Pastoral Ministries
Two cornerstone pastoral ministries are the BeFriender Ministry and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. The BeFrienders serve as companions on the journey through listening, presence, and compassion, currently meeting at the church on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:00–8:30 p.m. The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls to bring comfort to those experiencing loss, illness, or recovery — and to those celebrating milestones.
- BeFriender Ministry — meets 2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — comfort shawls knitted and crocheted for those in need
Liturgy & Music
The Director of Liturgy and Music and Coordinator of Liturgical Music lead a team that includes volunteer accompanists, cantors, and the parish choir. The Saturday 5 p.m. liturgy is livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel and Facebook page, with archived videos available for later viewing. A funeral cantor and several accompanists support funeral liturgies, and the parish seeks to provide 'reverent, engaging communal worship' for all members.
- Director of Liturgy and Music
- Coordinator of Liturgical Music (Therese Jorgensen)
- Volunteer accompanists and cantors
- Livestreamed Saturday 5 p.m. Mass on YouTube and Facebook
Marriage & Funeral Preparation
Marriage preparation is coordinated by Deacon Joe Frederick, with parish support from Wedding Coordinator Anita Cholewa. The parish also maintains a Funeral Ministry team of lay ministers and a Funeral Cantor to accompany families through the liturgy of Christian burial.
- Marriage preparation coordinated by Deacon Joe Frederick
- Wedding Coordinator: Anita Cholewa
- Funeral Ministers and Funeral Cantor
Outreach & Social Justice
Outreach is at the heart of St. Timothy's identity. The Soup Line has been preparing hot, nutritious meals for neighbors in need for thirty-six years, with parishioner volunteers cooking over 600 meals monthly and delivering to Catholic Charities, Stepping Stones, and Caring & Sharing Hands. The parish supports refugee resettlement (since 1975), Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise of Anoka County (one of the founding congregations), Meals On Wheels, and the Food Shelf Garden, which produces over 1,500 pounds of produce annually for the Salvation Army Food Shelf. The Social Justice Outreach Committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the parish center.
- Soup Line — 36 years serving Catholic Charities, Stepping Stones, and Caring & Sharing Hands
- Refugee Resettlement — begun 1975 with the family of Dang Ban Hank
- Habitat for Humanity
- Family Promise of Anoka County (founding congregation, hosting since October 2010)
- Meals On Wheels — two teams (Blaine/Coon Rapids and Fridley/Columbia Heights/Hill Top/Spring Lake Park)
- Food Shelf Garden — over 1,500 lbs produce/year for Salvation Army
- Care for Creation
- Social Justice Outreach Committee — 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m., parish center
St. Timothy's Overseas Project (STOP)
STOP offers grants to U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations and raises funds during Lent. Founded in 1973, STOP has supported over 150 overseas projects advocating for global solidarity. The 2025 STOP projects support communities in Zimbabwe, El Salvador, and Ghana.
- Founded 1973
- Over 150 overseas projects funded
- Funds raised during Lent
- 2025 projects in Zimbabwe, El Salvador, and Ghana
A Place of Grace Outreach Center
A Place of Grace Outreach Center officially opened on November 4, 2025. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., staffed by 18 trained parishioner volunteers. The Center offers a friendly and restful place, light lunch, and hot or cold beverage to those seeking connection, including those referred by local agencies facing housing instability or isolation. It is located in Room 221 of the parish center, accessed via Door A (main entrance), then stairs or elevator to the upper floor.
- Opened November 4, 2025
- Open Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- 18 trained parishioner volunteers
- Located in Room 221 of the parish center (Door A, upper floor)
Stewardship & Giving
St. Timothy's offers online giving through Pushpay, with options for one-time and recurring gifts. Parishioners may also give directly via stock to avoid capital gains taxes, with assistance from Director of Finance and Administration Cathy Sullivan. Time and talent commitments are an important part of parish stewardship, and many ministries welcome new volunteers through the parish office.
- Online giving via Pushpay
- Stock gifts welcomed (contact Cathy Sullivan)
- Recurring gift management through the parish office (Joy Heifort)
Visiting & Contact
Whether you are new to the area, a new parishioner, or a long-time member, St. Timothy's invites you to register as a parishioner and to join in worship, formation, and service. The parish office can be reached at 763.784.1329 or [email protected]. The church is located at 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434.
- Address: 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- Phone: 763.784.1329
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish invites registration as parishioner through the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Timothy O'Connellfrom 1944
First pastor; also served the mission parish of St. Patrick's in Cedar
- Fr. Weiers
Pastor during the transition from rural to suburban area in the 1950s-60s