If you are traveling through Fargo, North Dakota, make time to visit Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, a Roman Catholic parish located in South Fargo within the Diocese of Fargo. Founded by Monsignor Valentine Gross following a request from Bishop James Stephen Sullivan, the parish began its planning in 1995. The church construction took place in two distinct phases: Phase 1 introduced a gathering space and social hall in 2001, while Phase 2 added a permanent worship area, daily chapel, and adoration chapel, culminating in its dedication by Samuel J. Aquila on February 11, 2010.
Named in honor of the parents of Mary, mother of Jesus, the church offers spiritual refuge through its primary worship area, confessionals, and numerous shrines. A central highlight of your visit is the marble altar, which features grate-like doors opening to a reliquary containing saintly bone fragments in windowed casings. Here, you can observe relics believed to belong to patron saints Anne and Joachim, alongside bone fragments of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Josephine Bakhita, St.
Anthony of Padua, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Maria Goretti, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American canonized by the Catholic Church.
What to see at Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church
- Marble altar featuring a reliquary with windowed casings of saintly bone fragments
- Relics believed to be from patron saints Anne and Joachim
- Bone fragments of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Josephine Bakhita
- Permanent worship area, daily chapel, adoration chapel, and shrines completed in 2010
Visiting tips
Take time to closely inspect the marble altar's reliquary doors to view the individual casings holding fragments of famous saints.
How long: 1 hour · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church is easy to reach on Fargo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Rourke Art Museum and Red River Zoo. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Fargo travel guide.
See the full Fargo travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.