St. Columba Church

St. Columba Church is a Catholic church building in Saint Paul featuring curved limestone walls and more than 24 clerestory windows that flood the interior with daylight. The structure includes a distinctive bell tower inspired by Irish round tower design.

The building was completed in 1949 under the design of architect Barry Byrne, who had worked previously with Frank Lloyd Wright. This project embodied the modern architectural approach of that era.

The parish draws members from different backgrounds and serves as a gathering place for the local community. You can see how the congregation reflects the neighborhood's diversity through how people come together for worship and gatherings.

The interior is accessible and flooded with natural light from the many windows, which shows the space clearly. It is best to visit during open hours to experience the full effect of the daylight and maintain respect for active worship.

The interior space is created by two overlapping circles that form an elliptical shape with a fish-shaped profile when viewed from above. This unusual spatial design is rare in modern church buildings.

Location: Saint Paul

Website: http://stcolumba.org

GPS coordinates: 44.96056,-93.15583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04