St. Vincent de Paul - Hmong Catholic Church

For nearly thirty years, the building at 651 Virginia Street in the Frogtown neighborhood served as more than just a place of worship; it was a beacon of cultural identity. St. Vincent de Paul, known widely as the "Hmong Catholic Church," officially closed its doors on June 30, 2024, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the community.

Nom Kos Yaj (NaoKao Yang), an ordained Deacon who has been a pillar of the parish since its inception, recalls a time when Hmong Catholics in the Twin Cities had no home of their own. Throughout the 1980s, families rotated between various local churches, often relegated to late afternoon time slots.

"In Fall 1993, we had a gathering... and decided that we need a place of our own," Yaj said. Serving as the Finance Chair, Yaj was instrumental in drafting the proposal and securing funding from the Archdiocese of Saint Paul. The goal was ambitious: to celebrate their first Mass in a dedicated Hmong church by Christmas 1995.

They beat that goal. In January 1995, the Hmong community moved into St. Vincent de Paul, joining an aging congregation of about 50 families. The transition established a historic precedent: St. Vincent became an icon, recognized by the Diocese specifically as a Hmong church where services and sacraments were conducted in the Hmong language.

The journey was not without its trials. Over the decades, the parish faced logistical hurdles, the physical labor of fundraising, and internal leadership transitions that led to a painful community split in 2003. Yaj, who was ordained as a Deacon in 1997, returned to St. Vincent in 2004 to help reconcile and stabilize the parish during these turbulent years.

"The minute I walked in the church, it was satisfying," Yaj reflected. "I know that if I wasn’t there to support and do what I’ve done, perhaps things would not be where we are today."

In recent years, the church faced new challenges. Since 2012, St. Vincent de Paul became affiliated with the St. Paul Cathedral, leaving Yaj to handle much of the day-to-day ministry and administrative responsibilities for the Hmong community, often without the formal authority of a head pastor. Despite the sale of the building in mid-2024, Yaj remains steadfast in his mission. He views the legacy of St. Vincent as a testament to the recognition of the Hmong people by the broader Catholic Church.

"St. Vincent is known as the Hmong Catholic Church. This gives honor to our Hmong name," Yaj said. "I am proud that I have been able to support those in need... my philosophy is that I am there for anyone who needs me."

The congregation has now relocated to a new church home, carrying with them the history of 651 Virginia Street and the spiritual foundation built by leaders like Nom Kos Yaj.