About Us

Church of St. Mary Parish History

The Church of St. Mary was founded by Irish and French immigrants in 1865. The church building was erected, almost immediately after the parish’s founding, with locally made brick. The first pastor, Rev. Anatole Oster, helped finance the construction through a parish festival which raised $700.00. Father Oster also established a Total Abstinence Society in 1876 with the help of Rev. John Ireland (later, Archbishop of the St. Paul Archdiocese). This society promoted abstinence from alcohol and was credited for the most orderly Fourth of July celebration Shakopee had ever seen.

After Father Oster left the parish, St. Mary’s was served by the pastors of St. Mark’s parish until 1878, when Rev. John J. Slevin was appointed resident pastor. Father Slevin built the old brick rectory in 1880. This rectory was used by St. Mary’s priests for over a century until the present rectory in 1984.

Many changes were made to the church building over the next several years: stained glass windows were installed by Rev. James Flemming between 1896 and 1900; an ornate high altar was installed by Rev. Patrick O’Connor in 1900; the steeple, vestibule and front steps were added in 1905 by Rev. Hugh McDevitt.

Rev. Michael McRaith built a four room school in 1934-1935 and purchased the land which served as the parish cemetery. With the help of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the school grew to the point that an addition was built in 1949. During this time, St. Mary’s first vocation to the priesthood, Rev. Frederick Mertz, was ordained. His first Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s with the homily preached by Rev. John Roach (later Archbishop).

Rev. John McGuire added a gym and more classrooms to the school in 1964-65. His successor, Rev. Gerald Kenny, was part of the consolidation of St. Mary’s school with St. Mark’s and St. Mary’s of Marystown to form the Shakopee Area Catholic Schools (SACS). The three parishes also consolidated their Religious Education Program (SARE). St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s also combined their cemetery in 1976 during the pastorate of Father James Schoenberger. In August, 1998, we started the Shakopee Catholic Youth Ministry Program.

The church was renovated and given its current appearance by Rev. James Schoenberger in 1983. He also built the new rectory, which replaced the aging, century-old brick residence in 1986. 

We were also the very first parish in the Archdiocese to establish Perpetual Adoration in 1985.

The Church of St. Mary continues to be a vital community of faith. We ask our patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to intercede for us as we continue to carry out her Son’s command to make His name known and loved.