The congregation that gathers at St. Nicholas' tiny brick church on a hilltop in rural Carver is undergoing a renaissance. Every Sunday at noon, families squeeze into pews, sit on the stairs or stand hip to shoulder at the back.
After adding a mass for Spanish-speakers four years ago, the parish has doubled in size to more than 400 families. Several large projects, with much of the work done by parishioners, have accompanied the growth, including an elaborate prayer garden with a grotto and a total church renovation that preserved the building's 1868 charm.
"We kind of created a family-like church," said the Rev. Thomas Joseph, St. Nicholas' priest for eight years.
Many credit Joseph with creating the new energy and a sense of community, uniting long-standing parishioners of European descent with Latino newcomers. Christian Nava, 17, comes from Farmington to attend the Spanish mass. "It's a really important place for people," Nava said as he vacuumed after mass.
Joseph came to Carver eight years ago from Divine Mercy in Faribault, a much bigger parish and school. St. Nicholas began seeing rapid growth that it wasn't prepared for, said Jodee Korkowski, parish administrator.
Newcomers were largely from Mexico, but also from Peru, Colombia and other Spanish-speaking countries. Joseph, who was born in India and speaks four languages, including Spanish, thought it made sense to offer a service they would understand.
The parish has undertaken two major projects since 2011. The beams and roof system were replaced, the interior remodeled and the brickwork restored. A prayer garden also was built that includes a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. "It encompasses what traditional, old parishioners wanted, plus I think it put some things out there for the new generation," said Jerry Anderson, head of the garden committee.
Erin Adler • 612-673-1781
