Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Westminster Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota
. Its current location is the third location in downtown in over 140 years.
Westminster began as a gathering of eight people of Scottish
, Irish
and Welsh
heritage in 1857. In 1860, the congregation built its first church, on Fourth Street between Nicollet
and Hennepin
Avenues in downtown Minneapolis. Because of the rapid growth of the congregation, the church soon outgrew its first location. In 1883, construction of a new, larger church began at Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue.
Twelve years after the opening of the second church site, the building was heavily damaged by a fire. This prompted yet another move when the church rebuilt to its current location at Twelfth Street and Nicollet Mall, opening its doors for services in 1897.
In 1998, to coincide with the building's centennial, the congregation undertook an extensive renovation of the sanctuary. This 3.5 million dollar project restored many of the sanctuary's original design elements, updated the structure and improved lighting and sound. The newly renovated sanctuary opened for services on Sunday, December 20, 1998.
in 1998. In May 1999 Westminster received the 1999 Heritage Preservation Award from the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
.
through Jesus Christ, the mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church is:
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. Its current location is the third location in downtown in over 140 years.
History
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
heritage in 1857. In 1860, the congregation built its first church, on Fourth Street between Nicollet
Nicollet Mall
Nicollet Mall is a portion of Nicollet Avenue running through downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Working as a pedestrian and transit mall, it is also an upscale shopping and dining district...
and Hennepin
Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue is a major street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It runs from Lakewood Cemetery , north through the Uptown District of Southwest Minneapolis, through the former "Bottleneck" area west of Loring Park, through the North Loop in the city center, to Northeast Minneapolis and...
Avenues in downtown Minneapolis. Because of the rapid growth of the congregation, the church soon outgrew its first location. In 1883, construction of a new, larger church began at Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue.
Twelve years after the opening of the second church site, the building was heavily damaged by a fire. This prompted yet another move when the church rebuilt to its current location at Twelfth Street and Nicollet Mall, opening its doors for services in 1897.
In 1998, to coincide with the building's centennial, the congregation undertook an extensive renovation of the sanctuary. This 3.5 million dollar project restored many of the sanctuary's original design elements, updated the structure and improved lighting and sound. The newly renovated sanctuary opened for services on Sunday, December 20, 1998.
Historical landmark
In recognition of its historic and social significance, Westminster was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1998. In May 1999 Westminster received the 1999 Heritage Preservation Award from the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
.
Mission statement
In response to the grace of GodGod
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
through Jesus Christ, the mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church is:
- to proclaim and celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ;
- to gather as an open community to worship God with dignity and joy, warmth and beauty;
- to nourish personal faith through study, prayer and fellowship;
- to work for love, peace and justice;
- to be a welcoming and caring Christian community, witnessing to God's love day by day
- to work locally and beyond with our denomination and the larger Christian Church;
- and, to be a telling presence in the city