The Mission of Saint Olaf Catholic Church

is to serve as a living sign of Christ’s saving presence in the heart of the city…

…by celebrating liturgy as the source and summit of our faith, and providing ongoing opportunity for participation in the sacramental life of the church.
…by providing an atmosphere of welcome, warmth, and beauty for assembly, reflection and prayer for all people.
…by drawing upon our Catholic heritage in creating and maintaining focused ministries founded upon justice and charity, reaching out into the broad range of Saint Olaf worshippers and beyond.
…by joining with other Christian churches and other faith traditions in fostering the common good for growth of the Kingdom of God.

We embrace this mission in the name of the Father, with the Son, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Saint Olaf Vision

Today, the Eucharist is celebrated 17 times a week, bringing people throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area together for praise and thanksgiving to our gracious God.

Saint Olaf maintains a vibrant liturgical life while also serving as a beacon of hope and charity for those less fortunate. The parish is a center for spiritual enrichment and a center for the arts. Whether people come to pray, to seek consolation, to ask for help, or simply to rest, Saint Olaf serves as a peaceful haven of God’s grace.

The Saint Olaf History

The corner of Second Avenue South and Eighth Street has long been a site for worship in downtown Minneapolis.

In 1876, just nine years after Minneapolis was incorporated as a city, the Universalist Society chose this corner to build their church. This choice, however, was thought by some to be too far out of town. Nevertheless, the Church of the Redeemer was built on this site and became the spiritual home to many of the city’s most distinguished citizens, including William Washburn, Charles Loring, Alonzo Rand and John Crosby.  Twelve years after the church was built, it was destroyed by fire... READ MORE

St. Olaf, King and Martyr

The patron saint of our parish is St. Olaf, King and Martyr. He is also the patron saint of Norway, where his feast day is celebrated on July 29. Each year on the weekend closest to this date we celebrate “St. Olaf Day” with special music, prayers, and Scandinavian treats.

Olaf Haraldsson (c. 995 – 1030) was born in Ringerike, Norway, son of a Viking lord. During a trip to Normandy, Olaf experienced the vibrant life of French Christianity and, exchanging Viking lore for the Christian faith, he was baptized at Rouen. ...  READ MORE

Church Art Treasures

The visual arts are an integral part of any church and Saint Olaf is no exception.

In describing visual arts at Saint Olaf’s, we include many types: paintings, icons, sculpture, photographs, stained glass, and liturgical vessels — many of which are shown in this document.  Enjoy the Virtual Art Tour by ..  CLICKING HERE