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COUNTRY CHURCHES

1 St. Boniface Church

21889 Michael Avenue, Hastings; 651-437-2693; www.littleloghouseshow.com

Originally located in Hastings, historic St. Boniface found itself slated for demolition in 1995. Steve and Sylvia Bauer, owners of the Little Log House Village and Antique Power Show, bought the 1892 German Catholic church and dismantled it brick by brick, preserving the limestone foundation as well. They moved the materials, including the original stained glass windows, woodwork, light fixtures, pews and white painted altar to their antique village, then rebuilt the church to ⅔ scale. Open only during the Little Log House Antique Power Show in the last full F–Su in July. Fee charged. Wheelchair accessible.

OPTION

Established in 1989, the Bauer’s privately owned Little Log House Village comes alive annually during the last full weekend in July. See antique tractors work the fields as the threshers harvest grain. Belly up to the bar at the once bustling saloon, or watch the miller grind flour using waterwheel power. Explore old homesteads, an operating sawmill, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a schoolhouse, a butcher shop, a brothel, the Soo Line Depot and train, and old cars, machinery and tools. Stroll more than 40,000 square feet of beautiful gardens that were featured in the September 1999 issue of Country Living magazine. Take a walk or buggy ride over the world-famous spiral bridge (one of only three known to have existed in the world). Concessions; fee charged.

NOTE: Although the public may not enter the grounds without permission during the rest of the year, the village is definitely worth a drive-by.

2 St. Joseph Miesville Catholic Church

23955 Nicolai Avenue, Hastings; 651-437-3526; www.stjosephmiesville.com

Constructed in 1907, St. Joseph’s was completely rebuilt after a devastating fire. Tradition is alive and evident in this village church, right down to the unmistakable aroma of incense and candles burning before patron saints. St. Joe’s also has beautifully carved confessionals, wall stencils, hand-painted statues and a half dozen beautiful stained glass windows—including one in the balcony. Wheelchair accessible.

3 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

106 West Main Street, Vermillion; 651-437-5652; www.stjohns-vermillion.com

This 1913 church has wonderful fluted columns, a half-circle choir loft, more than a dozen stained glass windows, a domed ceiling and ornate plaster moldings. A glorious trek into the past. Wheelchair accessible.

4 St. Mary’s Catholic Church

8433 239th Street East, New Trier; 651-437-5546; www.stmarysnewtrier.com

St. Mary’s is an imposing structure of red and white brick built high on a hill overlooking New Trier, a small village of 112 souls. The 1909 church is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts an annual sausage supper right along with its mass schedule. Marvel at the unique curved communal rail, altar and side altars—all constructed of dark butternut edged in gold. The church has a domed ceiling over the nave and more than a dozen stained glass windows. Wheelchair accessible.

TWIN CITIES CHURCHES

5 Cathedral of St. Paul

239 Selby Avenue, St. Paul (across from the Minnesota History Center); 651-228-1766; www.cathedralsaintpaul.org

Cathedrals need not be grand—the only requirement is that they house the bishop’s chair, or cathedra. However, the Cathedral of St. Paul is regally grand, serving the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. French architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray produced the cathedral’s modified Renaissance design in the early 1900s. (Masqueray also designed The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.) Behind the massive altar, separate alcoves display hauntingly beautiful statues of several patron saints. Wheelchair accessible.

6 Church of Saint Agnes

548 Lafond Avenue, St. Paul (from the State Capitol, take University Avenue west to Dale Street, turn north; then 5 blocks down turn east onto Lafond Avenue, go 1 block); 651-293-1710; www.stagnes.net

This gorgeous 1912 German church with its crystal chandeliers and marble columns still offers Solemn Mass, complete with Latin chants every Sunday at 10 a.m. Wheelchair accessible.

7 Church of the Assumption

51 West 7th Street, downtown St. Paul; 651-224-7536; www.assumptionsp.org

Church of the Assumption boasts twin steeples and beautifully manicured grounds. Wheelchair accessible.

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Don’t miss your chance for some tasty Mulligan stew at Mickey’s Diner, located directly across the street from Church of the Assumption on the corner of St. Peter and 7th Streets. The red-and-yellow streetcar building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In business 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 1939, Mickey’s long list of satisfied customers includes actors Bill Murray and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

8 The Basilica of Saint Mary

88 North 17th Street, Minneapolis (along I-94, across from Loring Park); 612-333-1381; www.mary.org

Built in the early 1900s, The Basilica of Saint Mary is every bit as impressive as those found in Rome. Designed in modern Renaissance style with a Byzantine treatment of the dome—that is, the church has a massive, lantern-crowned dome lifted from the substructure. The ceiling in the nave is 75 feet high and made of carved ornamental plaster. The stained glass windows depict the life of the Virgin Mary, to whom the basilica is dedicated. Wheelchair accessible.

OPTION

Pull up a park bench in nearby Loring Park for some great people-watching, or take a leisurely stroll through the colorful gardens. Tour the many interesting cafes and boutiques in the area, then walk across the footbridge to explore the 11-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

The Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis