CHRIST’S CALLING- GATHER THE DISCIPLES FOR

CHANGEShort History of the Disciples Congregation in the heart of

Minneapolis, Minnesota

First home of

our fledgling

congregation

Our history began 136 years ago, when a group of 8 people met informally in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Ankeny on February 14,

1877. On February 25, 1877, the 22-member congregation was organized and incorporated as The Church of Christ of Minneapolis.

Dr. David Owen Thomas published a history of the church in 1922. He wrote:

“It is worth recording that this church had its beginning in a purely voluntary action of a few Disciples who had recently moved to

Minneapolis from other states; who, from their undenominational training, had been accustomed to take the Bible alone as their rule of faith and practice, and consequently were unable to find in any of the

city sanctuaries a congenial church home.”Within two weeks, the group had arranged to use the Swedenborgian

Church on 9th St. and 5th Ave., where they met regularly for four years.

First building purchased and dedicated for the new Church of Christ of Minneapolis

Supply preachers were used until 1881 when John C. Hay, the first regular pastor, came and the land at Portland Ave and Grant Street was purchased for a

permanent church. A wooden structure was purchased by a congregation member and presented to the church The congregation continued to grow and ten years later, W.J Llahmon saw to the building of a new church. And…. The Church of

Christ of Minneapolis became the Portland Avenue Church of Christ of Minneapolis in 1892.

Portland Avenue Church of Christ dedicated Feb 10, 1895

Carey E. Morgan was the first minister in the new church facility on Portland Avenue. In 1919 associate pastor, Miss Ada Forester, together with Miss Mildreth Haggard, provided the leadership and drive for the

purchase of a youth conference center on Lake Minnetonka – “Tipi Wakan” served as a camps and conference center for almost 50 years. In 1930 under Rev. George Marsh the building underwent significant

structural renovations. Exterior steps were added for sanctuary entrance, tower expansion for illuminated cross, and a chancel

expansion for larger choir & organ. A name change to the Portland Avenue Christian Church also occurred in March 1935.

Forest Richeson arrives with his wife Dorothy in 1939

The Portland church thrives under Forest and Dorothy. There are several active groups of all ages involved in church life. During WWII, Forrest recognizes the need for outreach to the Japanese Americans interned in the Shakopee, MN camp and the church welcomes several as new members. The church had

several “Star Services” that recognized and reported on all members serving in WWII. Over 100 men and 9 women served in the armed forces.

Renovated chancel with Forrest at the lectern

Sunday School class 1st gradeYoung Adult play- Camelot with jousting?

Lower fellowship hall and stage

Site of the “new” modern church facility

By 1944 the church board establishes a building fund for a new, larger, more modern facility of the future and in 1950 purchases

land on what was a Pillsbury Estate near the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for the new church.

In fall of 1954 there was a ground break ceremony for “ Christian Church”. What would we become now? Well a recommendation to the board with a vote was for Central Christian Church. But

March 17th 1954 – We Build Now- By action of the official board a new facility will be built for $460,470 with $17,500 allowed for an organ and $12,500 for pews.

First Christian Church was dedicated May 1955

After 11 years of saving and planning the new home and name for the congregation were complete. According to the board minutes the board initially preferred Central Christian Church, followed by

Fair Oaks Christian Church (park across the street) followed by First Christian Church, but in the end First Christian won out.

Life in a thriving church with mission in mind.

The congregation grew to more than 1500 members in the1950’s with many outreach activities including support of a Cuban refugee family, Carter Family Mission

partners, Dorothy Dostal’s time in the Congo, summer work groups to Hazelgreen Academy. Forrest, together with the church, also recognized the importance of the new AA program as help for those with alcohol addiction. Forrest attended one of

the first AA treatment counseling programs at Yale University and becomes involved with the first AA House at 2218 1st Ave So. hearing many 5th steps over many years. FCC becomes a church home for many on this journey. Forrest, with the support of

the congregation also plays a significant role in the restructure of our “denomination” in 1968 and in the formation & construction of the Minnesota Protestant Center.

First Christian Church Residence opened 1964

Under much the same leadership that resulted in the new church in 1955 the congregation saw the need for senior housing and in response built the 4 story

“Residence” to serve as senior housing for those church and community members who needed some living assistance. A vision before its time, the

residence of the 80’s and 90’s had to become more of a nursing home and served lovingly those who were independent to those with Alzheimer’s until it closed in

2006.

Time to Re-envision our home again

Through 70’s, 80’s and 90’s the congregation continued to look to mission and outreach, both locally and globally. However there was a new dynamic in

church life where our children left home for exciting employment and the new members of our community did not see the need for “church” and so our numbers declined. We were vibrant and alive but ever so much smaller in

number with a very large physical plant to maintain. What were we being called to do?

On May 11, 2008 the congregation voted to sell the property of First Christian Church located at 2201 1st Ave So. to the Minneapolis Institute of Fine Arts. We had 5 years to figure out our future.The congregation also recognized that we needed help to discern and implement our future so an Intentional Transitional Interim Minister who would devote their ministry to causing the necessary change for this congregation-whatever that looked like. Answer??

In February 2008 Pastor Bob Brite became our Intentional Transitional Pastor with the impassioned focus to move us on. Soon after Dennis Sanders joined us as Minister of Diversity and Mission

Considering our options- 3 years of work and discernment

Legacy churches ? Home church with satellite small groups ?

Ecumenical ministry center partnering – one building, 3 churches ?

Downsized building ?

Bob often said: The Holy Spirit “marvelous prankster that she is”, will surely have a wonderful odyssey for us all.

Gracious God, you have called your servantsto ventures of which we cannot see the ending,by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.Give us faith to go out with good courage,not knowing where we go, but only thatyour hand is leading us and your love supporting us;through Jesus Christ. ~ Amen~

MINISTRY COVENANT of First Christian Church of

Minneapolis, Lyndale United Church of Christ and Salem English Lutheran Church

ARTICLE IPURPOSE. First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ) (“First Christian”), Lyndale Congregational United Church of Christ (“Lyndale”) and Salem English Lutheran Church (“Salem”) propose to jointly develop, own and operate a Christian Ministry Center, as defined in this Covenant so that together the Churches can pursue:

• living faithfully, stewarding wisely the financial resources of our congregations, the earth's resources, and our ministry for the common good.• building a ministry that values the diversity within our congregations, community and denominations.• creating a ministry that uplifts our mutual call, while not compromising our convictions, our unique history and identity, our particular ways of worship, membership, and use of the sacraments.

Congregational vote on Jan 23, 2011 to

pass the resolution to become partners with

Lyndale and Salem

North sanctuary South sanctuary

Garden sanctuary

Baptistry

Welcoming Pastor Laurie Feille

Life of FCC in SpringHouse Ministry Center