History of St. Lawrence Catholic Church
and Newman Center
St Lawrence Church was dedicated on November 27, 1887 and was originally on the corner of 7th Street SE and 12th Avenue SE in a white clapboard building. In 1921, the cornerstone was laid for its present building at the corner of 5th St and 12th Ave SE with the school opening first on September of 1921. The first Mass was not held until February of 1922.
After almost 50 years of Catholic education to the children of the parish 
and beyond, St. Lawrence School closed in 1970. Today, St. Lawrence-Newman continues its great education tradition with programs like RCIA, Children's Faith Formation, Theology on Tap, Bible Study, etc.
In 1915, Archbishop John Ireland, over concerns of anti-Catholicism and secularism at the University of Minnesota, invited the Paulist Fathers to take charge of the "university parish", St. Lawrence. In particular, he wanted attention given to the Cathiolic Student Association which would later become the Newman Center.
In 1926, the Paulists split the parish and campus ministries and the Newman Center was located at 1228 4th St SE. Later it would move closer to the university on University Avenue. In 1998, the Newman Center was merged back with St. Lawrence and the old Newman Center building was rented out to the University.
This challenging and successful blend of urban parish and university campus ministry is not new to the Paulist Fathers, who serve similar communities at the University of California-Berkeley, the Ohio State University, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Today, St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Newman Center embodies the mission of the Paulist Fathers:
Go forth and preach…
Go forth and bring peace…
Go forth and seek unity…
Whether preaching the word, seeking out the lost, the alienated, and those cut off from the Church, or reaching out to others to foster a spirit of ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue, the Paulist Fathers continue to be American missionaries to the University of Minnesota and the Catholic community of the Twin Cities.
"In the union of Catholic Faith and American civilization... a future for the Church brighter than any past." Isaac T. Hecker, Founder of the Paulist Fathers
An inter-generational faith community reaching out to others…
St. Lawrence-Newman Catholic Church and Newman Center, served by the Paulist Fathers, is an inter-generational community welcoming all who are seeking the way, the truth, and the life of Christ in their lives.
We offer healing, forgiveness, prayer, spiritual formation, and a faith community to individuals and families seeking opportunities to live and grow as members of a caring Roman Catholic community. Whether you are a student, a life-long practicing Catholic, a Catholic who has been away from the Church, or a sojourner seeking the presence of Christ in your life, we welcome you and invite you to find a spiritual home at St. Lawrence-Newman.