‘Miscellany’ Archives
A Church Building as Art Preserving Immigrant History
Messiah Church”'s compelling interior Architectural Art by Architect Harry Wild JonesNancy Powell BY LINDSEY FENNER One block from the elaborate American Swedish Institute mansion is a more modest landmark of the Swedish immigrants who made their homes in the Phillips neighborhood. The Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2501 Columbus Avenue South, was once a social center for the Swedish-Minnesotan community. But over the course of a hundred years, the block has dramatically changed. A building that used to be nestled among single-family and duplex homes is now shadowed by a parking ramp. In an effort to recognize and honor the church”'s social importance, as well as the craft used in the design and construction, the church building is currently being considered for local preservation status. Sue Hunter Weir, a Phillips historian who serves on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, nominated the building for consideration. Built in 1916, the building was [...]
Isaiah 43:18-19a Mission drives: hard decision to sell Church, forgetting former things to do something new
BY LOUISE BRITT On March 1st, Messiah Lutheran Church voted to put their historic church up for sale. This has not been an easy decision but the reality is as a church community we could no longer afford to maintain the Historic church building. It is in need of several repairs and as a Church Community we discerned that our trying to maintain an aging building was not the best use of our resources. Messiah is not the thriving Swedish Immigrant Church of the past. We are a diverse, vibrant, worshiping community of the present. Our ancestors discerned that their call was to share the Gospel, Love and Mission of Jesus Christ through service to our neighbors. This is still our mission and focus today as Messiah Lutheran Church. We strive to fulfill that mission by building beloved community in Christ, one person at a time. Selling the church will enable us to continue our mission. We are open to anyone who would like to buy the property. I am very saddened by the outcry of members [...]
On Sanctuary doors Luther nailed 95 Theses Messiah Congregation “nailed” For Sale sign*
Messiah Church 2501 E. 25th Street. Tops of 700 Car Parking Ramp/Clinics building and 2 Heliports in backgroundBen Heath BY HARVEY WINJE Five hundred years ago, on October 31, 1517, the priest and scholar, Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper with 95 opinions to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. It would begin the Protestant Reformation. One hundred years ago, on June 24, 1917, 9-Year Old Messiah Lutheran Congregation dedicated their new Church building at 2501 East 25th Street, Mpls. Almost 100 years later, on February 26, 2017, 108-year old Messiah Lutheran Congregation voted to “enter into negotiations to sell that historic church building” by a 31“Yes” to 2 “No” vote giving notice also (on their website) that “we will be updating everyone as the Church Council discerns how to move forward.” The future of this historic building of worship remains uncertain. It is not clear if or how the building is being [...]
