On June 1, 1941, St. Olaf was dedicated in downtown Minneapolis. The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis purchased the Church of the Redeemer, a Universalist Society Church located on Eighth Street in the heart of the city. The name, St. Olaf, commemorating the eleventh century warrior-saint, was chosen because of the city’s large Scandinavian population. Twelve years after St. Olaf was dedicated, the church was destroyed by fire on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 1953. The new and present St. Olaf was rebuilt and reopened again on Ash Wednesday, February 23, 1955. The chapel of Sts. John and Paul was a major addition in 1980. In 1990, a parish center was built which allowed St. Olaf to provide parish education, programming, and spiritual formation. From its inception, St. Olaf has served the downtown community, including downtown residents, workers, and visitors. St. Olaf has served the poor of the area through an extensive social outreach program. In 1995, St. Olaf purchased the Exodus Hotel, which served as a transitional housing facility for residents who would otherwise be without a safe, clean place
to stay, and in the future, this building will become supportive housing for area residents.