Northeast Minneapolis Church Faces Closure Over Aging Boiler

St. Clement Catholic Church, a 113-year-old community hub, may shutter due to costly equipment repairs.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:56pm

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St. Clement Catholic Church, a 113-year-old landmark in Minneapolis' Northeast Arts District, is at risk of closing due to issues with its aging boiler system. The church, which has served generations of the same families, needs roughly $150,000 to replace the boiler, but the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis' fundraising campaign won't start until next January - potentially too late to save the church.

Why it matters

The potential closure of St. Clement would be a devastating loss for the tight-knit Northeast Minneapolis community, which has relied on the church as a social hub for over a century. The church's history is deeply intertwined with the lives of local residents, making its potential shuttering an emotional prospect.

The details

Despite patches and fixes over the years, the church's 113-year-old boiler is on its last legs and poses an "existential risk" that could lead to the church's closure. Church leaders and members are now racing against the clock to find a solution before the boiler fails completely.

  • St. Clement Catholic Church has stood in Northeast Minneapolis since 1913.
  • The church's boiler, which is as old as the building itself, is in dire need of replacement.
  • The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is planning a fundraising campaign to help the church, but it won't start until next January.

The players

St. Clement Catholic Church

A 113-year-old Catholic church that has served as a community hub in Minneapolis' Northeast Arts District for generations.

Ann Marie Cosgrove

A lifelong resident and parishioner of St. Clement Catholic Church, whose family has deep roots in the church dating back to her grandparents.

Aaron Stockton

A trustee for St. Clement Catholic Church, who has warned that the church's aging boiler poses an "existential risk" that could lead to its closure.

Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

The Catholic archdiocese that oversees St. Clement Catholic Church and is planning a fundraising campaign to help the church, but not until next January.

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What they’re saying

“This is where my grandparents went to church, my parents were married here, my siblings and I were baptized here.”

— Ann Marie Cosgrove, Lifelong Parishioner

“I'm trying to not have an emotional reaction to this, but it is emotional, but I'm also praying that a miracle happens.”

— Ann Marie Cosgrove, Lifelong Parishioner

“That would be such a devastating loss. That boiler is an existential risk. It could have failed at any moment for years and years. This year, it looks more tenuous than it has ever before.”

— Aaron Stockton, Church Trustee

“I'm really praying that God heals the boiler.”

— Ann Marie Cosgrove, Lifelong Parishioner

What’s next

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is planning a fundraising campaign to help St. Clement Catholic Church replace its aging boiler, but that campaign won't kick off until next January. Church leaders and members are now racing against the clock to find a solution before the boiler fails completely and forces the 113-year-old church to close.

The takeaway

The potential closure of St. Clement Catholic Church, a beloved community institution in Northeast Minneapolis, highlights the challenges that aging infrastructure can pose for historic houses of worship. This story underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and timely funding to preserve cherished local landmarks that are deeply woven into the fabric of a neighborhood.