History

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History
- 1887
1887
- 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.
- 1915
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 Catholic Student Association which would later become the Newman Center. St. Lawrence has continued to honor and support this very unique campus ministry entrusted to it by the archdiocese 100 years ago!
- 1921
1921
- The cornerstone was laid for its present building at the corner of 5th St and 12th Ave SE with the school opening first in September of 1921. The first Mass was not held until February of 1922.
- 1926
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 bringing the whole parish family back together again.
- 1970
1970
- After almost 50 years of Catholic education to the children of the parish and beyond, the St. Lawrence School closed.
  
  In 2012, we celebrated our 125th Anniversary!
- 2013
2013
- The archdiocese decided to return leadership of St. Lawrence-Newman back to diocesan priests and welcomed Fr. Jon Vander Ploeg in September.
- Today
Today
- St. Lawrence-Newman continues its great education tradition with a focus on ongoing faith formation for students attending the University of Minnesota.
  
  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.