In 1875, the first Slovak Catholics began settling in Minneapolis. For
many years, they worshiped with the Polish community at Holy Cross.
In 1888, a group of Slovak Catholics founded the Sts. Cyril and Methodius
Lodge, a benevolent organization, and soon after planned to establish a
parish. Land was purchased, and in 1893, the first church was built.
In 1909, the church was moved to its present site and the handsome brick
building was completed in 1917. A parish school was opened in 1937 and
remained in operation until 1969. In 1944, Fr. Joseph Balent, who had
grown up in the parish, was assigned as an assistant at the parish. Later
he became pastor, remaining in that position until 1986—forty-two years!
Since 1997, the parish is predominantly a Hispanic community with many
new Spanish speaking immigrants from Ecuador and other countries.