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VII.1. An Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for St. Gabriel Church and School; Lindahl September 3, 2019 City Council Report 2019-090 An Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for St. Gabriel Church and School Proposed Action: Both the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend the following motion: • Move to adopt Resolution 2019-066, approving an amendment to the conditional use permit for St. Gabriel Church to re-establish the accessory convent use, subject to conditions. Overview The applicant, Mohegen Hansen Architecture & Interiors on behalf of St. Gabriel Church, request approval of an amendment to the existing conditional use permit for St. Joseph’s Church (and its school) to re-establishment the associated convent use. The subject property is located at 1310 Mainstreet and zoned R-5, High Density Residential. According to City Code Section 530.09, Subdivision A, “any church or place of religious worship and all structures, facilities and physical improvements incidental or accessory thereto” are conditional uses in this district. The convent is considered incidental or accessory to the principal church uses and therefore requires an amendment to the existing conditional use permit. The applicant plans to rehabilitate the shuttered convent building to house up to 10 sisters from the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus currently based in New Ulm. Based on the finding detailed in this report, both the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend the City Council approve this request. Primary Issues to Consider ● Background ● Conditional Use Permit ● Engineering Review ● Alternatives Supporting Documents ● Resolution 2019-066 ● Resolution 2019-016 ● Site Location Map ● Applicant’s Narrative ● Site and Building Plans ● Neighborhood Meeting Summary ● History of St. Joseph’s Church _____________________ Jason Lindahl, AICP City Planner Financial Impact: $ N/A Budgeted: Y/N ____ Source: _____________ Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): _________________________________________ Notes: City Council Report 2019-090 Page 2 Background In March of last year, the church requested approval of a conditional use permit to reestablish the school use on this property. As part of that application, a search of city records did not find an existing conditional use permit for either the church or the previous school. So the church and Chesterton Academy went through the conditional use permit review process to bring the site into conformance with the current zoning standards. On March 5, 2019, the City Council approved Resolution 2019-016 approving a conditional use permit for St. Gabriel Church and associated The Chesterton Academy School (attached). The St. Joseph church campus includes the church and separate convent, parsonage and school buildings along with 2.5 acre parcel to the east that contains open space and a 170 stall off-street parking lot. The original St. Joseph church along with the convent and parsonage buildings were established in 1922. The current church building and an addition to the school were built in 1953. The convent housed the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet from 1923 to 1978. In the 1980s it was briefly used as a women shelter and then as a daycare from 1989 to 2008. From 1991 to 2008, the convent was also used the convent to house Families Moving Forward. Since 2008, it’s been vacant and used only for storage. Neighborhood Meeting. Hopkins neighborhood meeting policy requires applicants for conditional use permit or rezoning applications located adjacent to or within residential zoning district to host an informational meeting for neighbors within 350 feet of the subject property. The applicant held their neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, August 20 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the church. According to the applicant, no members of the public attended the meeting t (see attached e-mail and sign-in sheet). Planning & Zoning Commission Action. The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing to review this item (Planning Application 2019-12-CUP) during its regular meeting on August 27, 2019. During that meeting, the Commission heard a summary presentation from staff and no comments from the public. Members of the Commission asked the applicant questions about when the nuns would occupy the convent, if they found asbestos in the building, and what their plans were for replacing the playground used by the former daycare use. Paul Carr, Architect with Mohagen Hansen Architects and Interiors was present to represent the St. Gabriel Church. According to Mr. Carr, the church hopes to have up to four nuns living at the convent by the end of the year. However; this schedule is uncertain given that most of the work to rehabilitate the convent will be Pro bono or done by members of the church as time allows. Mr. Carr also mentioned that they found less asbestos than could be expected and will mitigate it appropriately. Finally, Mr. Carr explained the church plans to remove the asphalt and playground area used by the former daycare and have the nuns replace it with a patio and garden areas for their use. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve this request. Conditional Use Permit. Conditional use permit applications are considered quasi-judicial actions. In such cases, the City is acting as a judge to determine if the regulations within the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are being followed. Generally, if an application meets City Council Report 2019-090 Page 3 these requirements it should be approved. The City may choose to add conditions of approval that are directly related to the conditional use permit standards. In evaluating a conditional use permit application, the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council shall consider and require compliance with the general conditional use permit standards in Section 525.13, Subdivision 15. A detailed review of these standards is provided below. Based on this review, staff recommends approval of this request. Section 525.13, Subdivision 15. General Standards for Conditional Use Permits. a) The consistency with the elements and objectives of the City's development plan, including the comprehensive plan and any other relevant plans at the time of the request. Finding: Re-establishment of the convent use on the subject property is consistent with both the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan – Cultivate Hopkins. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map guides the subject property as HDR – High Density Residential. According to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the High Density Residential category is associated with the R-5 and R-6 zoning classifications. The subject property is zoned R-5, High Density Multiple Family, which allows facilities incidental or accessory to churches (like the convent) as a conditional. By comparison, the Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan – Cultivate Hopkins Future Land Use Map guides the subject property as Downtown Center. This district is intended to serve as the central economic, social and civic district for Hopkins and the region. This area is intended to absorb a significant amount of the community’s anticipated future growth. Maintaining Hopkins’ unique identity and sense of place must be a central consideration when planning for future growth. b) Consistency with this ordinance; Finding: The existing church and school and proposed improvement to the convent are consistent with the City’s ordinance. The subject property is zoned R-5, High Density Multiple Family, which allows facilities incidental or accessory to churches as a conditional use. The applicable zoning standards are addressed in the conditional use permit criteria below. c) Creation of a harmonious relationship of buildings and open spaces with natural site features and with existing and future buildings having a visual relationship to the development; Finding: Rehabilitation of the convent building will not involve changes to the exterior of the convent building. The applicant’s site plan call for removal of the concrete pad and playground interior to the site and associated with the former daycare. The Handmaid plan to replace this with a greenspace that includes a small garden and patio. Staff finds the proposed improvements should a more harmonious relationship of buildings and open space with natural site features and their visual relationship to the development. d) Creation of a functional and harmonious design for structures and site features, with special City Council Report 2019-090 Page 4 attention to the following: 1.) An internal sense of order for the buildings and uses on the site and provision of a desirable environment for occupants, visitors and the general community; Finding: The applicant intends to renovate and update the interior of the convent. These changes will improve the internal sense of order for the buildings and uses on the site and provide an improved environment for occupants of the convent and the site in general 2.) The amount and location of open space and landscaping; Finding: As mentioned above, the Handmaids plan to remove the concrete pad and playground associated with the former daycare and replace this with a greenspace that includes a small garden and patio. Staff finds these changes will improve the amount and location of internal greenspace on the site. 3.) Materials, textures, colors and details of construction as an expression of the design concept and the compatibility of the same with the adjacent and neighboring structures and uses. Finding: The applicant proposes no changes to the exterior materials. 4.) Vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior drives and parking in terms of location and number of access points to the public streets, width of interior drives and access points, general interior circulation, separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangements and amount of parking. Finding: As designed, the site has adequate off-street parking and vehicle and pedestrian circulation facilities to accommodate the existing church and associated school and convent uses. Based on the City’s off-street parking standards in Section 550, the existing church requires 180 stalls while the new private high school use requires 95 stalls for a total of 275 stalls. By comparison, the church has a total of 189 off-street parking stalls (19 on the church property and another 170 on the property they own directly across 13th Avenue South). Given the convent residents will have only a minimal need for parking, staff finds re-establishment of the convent use will not have a significant impact on the need for off-street parking. e.) Promotion of energy conservation through design, location, orientation and elevation of structures, the use and location of glass in structures and the use of landscape materials and site grading; Finding: At this point, applicant’s remodeling plans do not include improvement to promote energy efficiency. Should the applicant’s building permit plans include improvements to lighting, water, plumbing or mechanical facilities, the applicant will be required to provide more detailed energy calculations as part of any applicable permits applications. City Council Report 2019-090 Page 5 f.) Protection of adjacent and neighboring properties through reasonable provision for surface water drainage, sound and sight buffers, preservation of views, light and air and those aspects of design not adequately covered by other regulations which may have substantial effects on neighboring land uses, and; Finding: Since the applicant proposes no changes to the site or exterior building, no additional protection for adjacent and neighboring properties are required. g.) The use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted, nor tend to or actually diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood. Finding: The existing church campus has operated in its current location since 1922 and included residents in the convent building until 1987. Based on past experience, the proposed use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood. h.) In Institutional zoning districts, the Conditional Use Permit application shall comply with the standards, conditions and requirements stated in Section 542.03 of this Ordinance. Finding: Section 542.03 provides for standards related to a conditional use that includes demolition or removal of dwelling units and does not apply to this application. i.) Traffic impacts such as increases in vehicular traffic, changes in traffic movements, traffic congestion, interference with other transportation systems or pedestrian traffic, and traffic hazards shall be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council in evaluating an application for a Conditional Use Permit. Finding: Re-establishment of convent use on the church campus should not significantly change or increase traffic patterns or parking needs on the site (see parking analysis in Section d.4 above). Engineering Review Given the applicant plans no exterior changes to the building or site, the Engineering Department has no comments regarding this application. Alternatives 1. Vote to approve an amendment to the conditional use permit for St. Gabriel Church. By voting to approve this application, the applicant will be allow to re-establish the accessory convent use on the church campus. 2. Vote to deny an amendment to the conditional use permit for St. Gabriel Church. By voting to deny this application, the applicant will not be allow to re-establish the accessory convent use on the church campus. Should the City Council considers this option, it must also make findings of fact that support this alternative. City Council Report 2019-090 Page 6 3. Continue for further information. The items should be continued if the City Council finds that further information is needed. CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION 2019-066 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ST. GABRRIEL CHURCH TO RE-ESTABLISH THE ACCESSORY CONVENT USE (PID 24-117-22-33-0001) WHEREAS, the applicant, St. Gabriel Church, initiated an application to amendment their existing conditional use permit (CUP) to allow the church to re-stablish the accessory convent use on their Mainstreet campus; and WHEREAS, the subject property is located at 1310 Mainstreet (PID 24-117-22-33-0001) and legally described as follows: COM AT INTERSEC OF S LINE OF EXCELSIOR AV AND THE E LINE OF SW 1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH W ALONG SAID S LINE 270 FT TH S 350 FT TH E PAR WITH SAID S LINE OF EXCELSIOR AVE TO E LINE OF SW 1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH N TO BEG, UNPLATTED 24 117 22 ADDITION, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA; and WHEREAS, the procedural history of the application is as follows: 1. The City Council approved Resolution 2019-016 on March 5, 2019 approving a conditional use permit for St. Gabriel Church and the associated school; and 2. That an application to amendment the existing conditional use permit was initiated by the applicant on July 17, 2019; and 3. That the applicant held a neighborhood meeting at St. Joseph Church on August 20, 2019 in conformance with the City of Hopkins Neighborhood Meeting Policy; and 4. That the City of Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission, pursuant to published and mailed notice, held a public hearing and reviewed such application on August 27, 2019 and all persons present were given an opportunity to be heard; and 5. That the written comments and analysis of City staff were considered; and 6. That the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend the City Council approve this request; and 7. That the Hopkins City Council reviewed this application during their September 3, 2019 meeting and agreed with the findings of the Planning & Zoning Commission. WHEREAS, staff recommends approval of the above stated application based on the findings outlined in City Council Report 2019-090 dated September 3, 2019. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hopkins hereby approves an amendment to the conditional use permit for St. Gabriel Church to re-establish the accessory convent use on the Mainstreet campus, subject to the conditions listed below. 1. The applicant shall receive approval of all necessary permits from the Building, Engineer and Fire Departments. 2. Conformance with all general conditional use permit standards in Section 525.13, Subdivision 15, 3. The applicant shall receive all necessary permits and approvals from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District prior to issuance of a building permit. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 3rd day of September 2019. _______________________ Jason Gadd, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________ Amy Domeier, City Clerk CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION 2019-016 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ST. GABRRIEL CHURCH TO OPERATE A PRIVATE SCHOOL (THE CHESTERTON ACEMY)WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL ZONE (PID 24-117-22-33-0001) WHEREAS, the applicant, St. Gabriel Church, initiated an application for a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow operation of a private high school (the Chesterton Academy) within a residential zone, subject to conditions; and WHEREAS, the subject property is located at 1310 Mainstreet (PID 24-117-22-33-0001) and legally described as follows: COM AT INTERSEC OF S LINE OF EXCELSIOR AV AND THE E LINE OF SW 1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH W ALONG SAID S LINE 270 FT TH S 350 FT TH E PAR WITH SAID S LINE OF EXCELSIOR AVE TO E LINE OF SW 1/4 OF SW 1/4 TH N TO BEG, UNPLATTED 24 117 22 ADDITION, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA; and WHEREAS, the procedural history of the application is as follows: 1. That a conditional use permit application was initiated by the applicant on February 6, 2019; and 2. That the applicant held a neighborhood meeting at St. Joseph Church on February 18, 2019 in conformance with the City of Hopkins Neighborhood Meeting Policy. 3. That the City of Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission, pursuant to published and mailed notice, held a public hearing and reviewed such application on February 26, 2019 and all persons present were given an opportunity to be heard; and 4. That the written comments and analysis of City staff were considered; 5. That the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend the City Council approve this request; and 6. That the Hopkins City Council reviewed this application during their March 5, 2019 meeting and agreed with the findings of the Planning&Zoning Commission. WHEREAS, staff recommended approval of the above stated application based on the findings outlined in City Council Report 2019-025 dated March 5, 2019. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hopkins hereby approves a conditional use permit allowing operation of a private high school (the Chesterton Academy) in a residential zone, subject to the conditions listed below. 1. The applicant shall receive approval of all necessary permits from the Building, Engineer and Fire Departments. 2. Conformance with all general conditional use permit standards in Section 525.13, Subdivision 15, and the specific conditional use permit standards for public or private schools within a residential zone in Section 530.09, Subdivision l.d. 3. The applicant shall receive all necessary permits and approvals from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District prior to issuance of a building permit. 4. Maintenance of the existing fence and landscaping along the subject property's western property line. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 5h day of March 2019. A741 Molly ings, Mayor ATTEST: 0)IJIUA Amy Domeier, City Clerk Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus 515 North State Street New Ulm, MN 56073 507-276-9128 www.handmaidsoftheheartofjesus.com The Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus are a new community of religious sisters based out of New Ulm, MN. We live in imitation of Mary as handmaid, virgin, bride, and mother in the diocesan life of the Church, carrying out the new evangelization in parishes. To this end, we profess vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, living a contemplative-active consecrated life of humble service to the Heart of Jesus. As diocesan sisters, we bring a feminine consecrated presence to parishes. We serve in parishes in a variety of ways, including catechesis/faith formation, youth ministry, family life/marriage preparation, liturgy coordination, liturgical music, sacristy work, visitation of the sick and elderly, and education in Catholic schools. ST. GABRIEL CHURCHHANDMAIDS OF THE HEARTOF JESUS CONVENT13TH AVE SOUTH 1 3 T H A V E N U E S O U T HϵΖͲϬΗϵΖͲϬΗϴΖͲϬΗϮΖ>ϮϴΖͲ3Η ST. GABRIEL CONVENT REMODELSITE PLANHOW</NS͕ D/NNESOTA:ƵůLJ 1Ϯ͕ ϮϬ1ϵ NOT TO SA>ENCENTRAL PARKCATHOLICSCHOOLST. GABRIELCATHOLICCHURCHCONVENTZEDOVE Ey/ST͘ W>Az'ZOUNEYU/WDENT Θ ONZETE WAZEDOVEEy/ST͘'AZA'ETHESE ϱ NEt STA>>S S/'NEAS ONVENT WAZ</N'AESS/>E ZOUTEAESS/>EENTZANE UP DN UP DN UPUPWASHERDRYER27EXIST.MECH.13EXISTINGMEETINGROOM15NEWADARESTROOM16NEWLAUNDRY11NEWMEETINGROOM10TYPE'A'UNIT12EXIST.HALL20OLDCISTERN21EXIST.STAIR19EXIST.SHOP18EXIST.BOILERROOM14EXIST.CLOSET17EXIST.STAIR24EXIST.STOR.23EXIST.STOR.22EXIST.STOR.25EXIST.MECH.26EXIST.LAUNDRYEXIST. ON-GRADE/ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCEEXISTINGEGRESS WINDOWWASH.DRY.ST. GABRIEL CONVENT REMODELLOWER LEVEL FLOOR PLANHOPKINS, MINNESOTAJuly 17, 2019 SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"N UP DN UP DN UP 100CHAPEL101LIVINGROOM102DEN103EXIST.T.104EXIST.HALL106CONFESSIONAL107EXIST.SERVICEROOM108EXIST.STAIR109EXIST.OFFICE111EXIST.HALL112EXIST.OFFICE113EXIST.T.114EXIST.STAIR116EXIST.OFFICE119EXIST.STAIR117EXIST.OFFICE118EXIST.OFFICE121PANTRY123KITCHEN105EXIST.JAN.122DISHROOM120DININGROOM110EXIST.OFFICEREF.STOVE/COOKTOPFRZ.ST. GABRIEL CONVENT REMODELFIRST LEVEL FLOOR PLANHOPKINS, MINNESOTAJuly 17, 2019 SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"N UP DN DN DN 200EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT201EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT202EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT203EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT204EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT205EXIST.JAN.206EXIST.BATH207EXIST.SHOWER208EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT209EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT210EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT211EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT212EXIST.BATH213EXIST.STOR.214EXIST.SHOWER215EXIST.STAIR216EXIST.T.217EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT218EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT219EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT220EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT221EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT223EXIST.STAIR224EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT225EXIST.HALL226EXIST.BATH227EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT228STOR.229EXIST.T.230EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT231EXISTINGSLEEPINGUNIT222EXIST.HALLST. GABRIEL CONVENT REMODELSECOND LEVEL FLOOR PLANHOPKINS, MINNESOTAJuly 17, 2019 SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"N THE HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH – HOPKINS, MN By Chuck Romportl May 22, 2010 for the Hopkins Historical Society PRIOR TO 1921 There are two small Catholic Churches in the Hopkins area. St. Margaret’s Church on Bren Road near Shady Oak Road in Minnetonka, serving the Bohemian settlers, was built in 1880. Fr. Joseph Hovorka was the pastor of St. Margaret’s from 1904 to 1921. St. Mary’s Church, at 51- 6th Ave. So. in Hopkins, was built in 1895. Fr. Benjamin Audus was pastor of St. Mary’s from 1913 to 1921. Austin Dowling is the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul since 1919. The Pope at that time was Benedict XV, since 1914. THE 1920s 1921 – Archbishop Dowling decrees that St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s Churches be merged into a new parish: St. Joseph’s. There are 250 families on the roster. Fr. Charles E. Hovorka (a brother to Fr. Joseph Hovorka from St. Margaret’s in Minnetonka) is called from Montevideo to begin his pastorate (which lasts 34 years!). Services are held in the St. Mary’s Church until the new church is built. The Knights of Columbus organize at St. Joseph’s. 1922 – A school, a pastor’s home and a convent are built. A “temporary” church is housed in the school building, and services begin there. Cost for the three buildings is between $112,000 and $120,000. The altar from St. Margaret’s is brought over and used in the new church. Pius XI is elected Pope. 1923 – The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet arrive to form the teaching staff. St. Joseph’s School opens with six grades the first year, adding grades 7 & 8 in the two succeeding years. Sr. Agnes Aloysius Thompson is principal. The other sisters are Sister Cosmos Shea, Sister Mary Magdeline Swoboda, Sister Marie Celeste Delage, Sister Theresa Louise McGuire and Sister Carlos Eue, who taught music. There were 125 students enrolled that year in grades 1 – 6. 1925 – Fr. Charles Portele is named assistant at St. Joseph’s. 1928 – The name of the Village of West Minneapolis is changed to Hopkins. 1929 – Sr. Claudia Keane is named principal of St. Joseph’s School. THE 1930s 1931 – John Gregory Murray is named Archbishop of St. Paul. Because of the Great Depression, Minneapolis Moline Power Implement Company closes for four years, leaving many Hopkins residents out of work. This nearly results in the closing of St. Joseph’s School. 1932 – Fr. Hovorka announces that the school will close unless $6,500.00 can be raised immediately. A valiant effort by those parishioners with jobs springs into action. A banquet, with Archbishop Murray as honored guest, kicks off the solicitation program. The campaign raises $1000 over the goal necessary to keep the school open. Sr. Bernard Dunphy is named principal of the school. Fr. Joseph P. Vacek is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s for four years. 1934 – The first Raspberry Festival is organized in Hopkins. School enrollment is now at 250 (double what it was when it opened!). Organizations in the Church are The Holy Name Society, Altar Society, Dramatic Society, Cecilian Choristers, Young Ladies Sodality, Catholic Boy Scouts, Catholic Workmen, and Knights of Columbus. 1935 – Sr. Agnes Claire Rickard is named principal of the school. The Knights of Columbus begin an annual production of “Minstrel Shows” to raise the spirits of everyone feeling the effects of the Great Depression. 1936 – Fr. Stanley Skluzacek is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1939 – Pius XII is elected Pope. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary is organized for women at St. Joseph’s. THE 1940s 1940 – Sr. Francis Carmel Treacy becomes principal of the school. The idea of building the new Church is considered, as Fr. Hovorka encourages the purchase of War Bonds in the name of St. Joseph’s Church. 1943 – Fr. Stanley Srnec and Fr. T. Redden take short terms as assistant pastors before Fr. Francis Hayes is named assistant. 1944 – Fr. Hovorka sends a letter to the parish, asking for an increase in giving to raise money for the new church, with the target date for building as 1949 or 1950. 1946 – Of the 810 families now registered at St. Joseph’s, 120 families are transferred to the new parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka. Sr. Emile McDonald becomes principal of St. Joseph’s School. The Women’s Club organizes at St. Joseph’s. The Knights of Columbus celebrate their Silver Anniversary with a banquet at the Junior High Auditorium. 1949 – Hopkins becomes a city by adopting a city charter. Fr. Joseph Kiley, Fr. Harry Majerus, Fr. Bernard Flynn and Fr. Harry Towey take short terms as assistant pastors at St. Joseph’s. Nine sisters are teaching eight grades at St. Joseph’s School, with an enrollment of 340. (That makes 42 students in a class!) 1949 Confirmation Photo (3 classes at once) THE 1950S 1950 – Membership at St. Joseph’s again reaches 810 families, of which105 families are transferred to the new parish of St. John’s in Interlachen Park in Hopkins. Fr. M. Zawalnicki takes a short term as assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1951 – Fr. Francis Hayden takes a short term as assistant pastor until Fr. John Brown is named assistant. 1952 – Sr. Clarinda Kieffer becomes principal of St. Joseph’s school. 1953 – Ground is finally broken for the new St. Joseph’s Church building on April 26. Fr. Hovorka bargains with the City of Hopkins to move 13th Avenue South over “1 lot” to give more room for the church. The Knights of Columbus lodge room (a room in the School building) is converted into a classroom. The K.C.s purchase another building in town. The baby boom is obvious. With 450 students enrolled in St. Joseph’s School and only 9 classrooms, that makes 50 students per room. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (C.C.D.) begins a long tradition of organizing discussion clubs. 26 discussion clubs were formed between 1955 and 1964. There’s a rumor that one club is still meeting (in 2001)! 1954 – Our beautiful new church of St. Joseph is completed in late spring. The “Stations of the Cross” from the temporary church are installed in the new church. A dedication ceremony with Archbishop Murray is celebrated on June 20. But Fr. Hovorka offers Masses for the parishioners in the new Church as early May 16. He rushed things a little, so that that year’s First Communion could be celebrated there. Some dinners, maybe even that year’s Fall Festival, were served in the Social Hall’s dirt floor, until the floor was laid. The total bill for the new church was $500,000. 1955 - Fr. Charles Hovorka dies, and Fr. Joseph P. Vacek becomes the second pastor of St. Joseph, a position he holds for 20 years. Four classrooms are added to the school, at a cost of $153,000. 1956 – William O. Brady is named Archbishop of St. Paul. Fr. Alvin Simon is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. Rummage Sales are started at St. Joseph’s. A huge debt-reduction campaign is kicked off. 1958 – The colored windows were added to the Church, paid for through donations. The convent was enlarged to house the 13 sisters then living there (built to house 8!). John XXIII begins his 5 year term as pope. Sr. Norbertine Farrell becomes principal of St. Joseph’s School. 1959 – St. Joseph’s Parish Library is established by Margaret Kienzle. Four more classrooms are added to the school, at a cost of $160,000. School enrollment peaks at 700, with 100 on the waiting list! Even with the addition of 8 new classrooms, class sizes are between 41 and 43. THE 1960s 1960 – The Nocturnal Adoration Society is established (the first in Minnesota). 1959 First Communion 1961 – Leo Binz is named Archbishop of St. Paul. Sr. Karen Wadsworth becomes principal of the school. 1962 – The old rectory was demolished and the new rectory was built. Vatican Council II begins in Rome, and continues until 1965. Fr. Patrick Dooley is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1963 – Paul VI is elected Pope. 1964 – St. Joseph’s Parish Council is established. Fr. Gordon Hoffman is named assistant pastor. He is very popular with youth, sponsoring summer canoe trips to the Boundary Waters. 1966 – Pope Paul VI confers the title of Monsignor on Fr. Vacek. Fr. Richard Jeub is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. Sr. Margaret Mary Belanger becomes principal of St. Joseph’s School. 1967 – Leo Byrne is named Coadjutor Archbishop of St. Paul. Fr. Eugene Burke is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1968 – Fr. Edward Chmielewski is named associate pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1969 – St. Joseph’s School consolidates with St. John’s and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools, and is called Hopkins Consolidated Parochial Schools. Fr. Joseph Pinkosh is named associate pastor at St. Joseph’s. St. Joseph’s hires its first Religious Education Director, Patrick Roche. THE 1970s 1970 – Rev. Mr. Thomas McKenna serves as deacon-intern. 1971 – Fr. Leonard Nelson is named associate pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1972 – Fr. John Parkos is named associate pastor. 1974 – Fr. Martin Beckman is named associate pastor. 1975 – Fr. John T. Bauer is named the third pastor of St. Joseph’s, a three year term. John R. Roach is named Archbishop of St. Paul. 1978 – John Paul I is elected Pope. John Paul II, our current Pope, is elected. Fr. Richard F. Skluzacek is named the fourth pastor of St. Joseph’s, a 12 year term. 1979 – St. Joseph’s hires its first Youth Minister, Bob Barnes, through the Archdiocesan ManAlive Program. THE 1980s 1980 – Fr. John Sowada is named associate pastor. The name of Hopkins Consolidated Parochial School is changed to John Ireland School. 1982 – St. Joseph’s hires its first full-time Music and Liturgy Director, Mike Mullen, and its first Pastoral Minister, Marge Taylor. 1983 – St. Joseph’s begins participation in the Loaves and Fishes program. 1984 – Fr. Steve Ulrich is named parochial vicar. 1986 – St. Joseph’s begins participation in the RENEW Program, a very successful program of small group faith sharing. 1987 – Monsignor Joseph Vacek dies, and is the first priest buried in St. Margaret’s Cemetery. 1988 – Fr. Michael Monogue is named parochial vicar. 1989 – St. Joseph’s Daycare opens in the vacant convent building. Cindy Bauer is the first Daycare Director. THE 1990s 1990 – St. Joseph’s hires its first Parish Administrator, Thomas Cramer. Fr. John M. Long is named the fifth pastor of St. Joseph’s. 1991 – St. Joseph’s begins participation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (later called Families Moving Forward), a ministry to the homeless. 1992 – Fr. Stan Mader is named parochial vicar. 1994 – Fr. John Snell is named parochial vicar. 1995 – Harry Flynn is named Archbishop of St. Paul. 1996 – Mark Underdahl, a parishioner, is ordained to the priesthood, and celebrates his first Mass at St. Joseph’s. An elevator is added to St. Joseph’s Church. We become a “one-priest” parish. Deacon Francis Tangney chooses St. Joseph’s for his assignment. 1997 – St. Joseph’s celebrates its 75th Anniversary. 1999 – St. Joseph’s hires its first Stewardship and Development Director, Mary Cordell.