St. Bridget of Kildare was established in May 1915, in large part through the efforts of Fr. James Donahoe, who tirelessly raised funds and even carried boards from the lumber yards across the Mississippi River. Renowned for his kindness, charity, and industriousness, Fr. Donahoe oversaw the completion of the first church (1915), parish house (1918), school (1922), and a convent (1930). Meanwhile, the Catholic population in north Minneapolis continued to grow. In 1937 St. Austin was established, less than a mile from St. Bridget and a church was built. The church was named for St. Augustine, patron saint of Archbishop Austin Dowling. As the parish grew, a larger church was needed. The present building was dedicated by Archbishop Binz in 1963. With changing times and demographics, two once-thriving parishes and schools began to struggle. In 2012, St. Austin was merged into St. Bridget. Like any birth, this one was not without pain and effort, but thanks to the fidelity of the parishioners of both communities, the dedicated ministry of the staff and parish leadership, the combined community is now flourishing.