Faith UMC in West St Paul
In March 1883, Gottlieb Duebendorf was sent to the west side of St Paul to organize a class meeting. C.F. Kachel was elected class leader and superintendent of the Sunday School. On April 13, 1883, at the Linse home on the corner of Concord and Andrew streets, the Zion Church of the Evangelical Association of America was incorporated with Rev. August Huelster as the president. In May 1883, Rev. Gottlieb Duebendorf was appointed pastor (also serving a congregation in Chaska.) The West Side Land and Cottage Company gifted the congregation with a lot at Winifred and Cambridge (renamed Bancroft) on which to build a church. During the summer of 1883, the first building was built at a cost of $2,500. In 1884, Rev. F. R. Plantikow was appointed pastor to both Zion and Salem, the “country church.” (Chaska was assigned to another circuit.)
Church records were entirely in German until the 1904-05 annual and trustee meetings, when English became the language. On April 22, 1908, the congregation requested a pastor be appointed to serve Zion alone, that the Salem congregation unite with us, and that the pastor appointed be able to preach in the English language. The transition to English was completed in 1921 when the February quarterly conference passed a resolution that all of the services of the congregation be conducted in the “American language.”
In 1922, when the two factions of the Evangelical Association that had divided in 1894 reunited, the church was renamed the Winifred Street Evangelical Church. In 1946 the congregation became Winifred Street Evangelical United Brethren Church when the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ merged. In 1947, the decision was made that churches should no longer be named after streets. A congregational meeting on April 20, 1947, was offered a choice of Zion, Trinity, or Faith. The vote was announced April 27, 1947, and the name changed to Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, many changes were taking place in neighborhood surrounding the church. Urban renewal and flood prevention eliminated the houses on the flats (which are now the sites of many commercial establishments). There was to be an upgrading of Highway 52, including a new bridge on Lafayette. Many congregants were moving out of the area. In 1958, beloved Rev. Ralph Esterly (who had reported in 1956 that the congregation had decided to remain in its present location rather than to move up the hill to serve the 3,000 folks in the community) died. In light of these changes, in 1959-60 the congregation was surveyed. At a congregational meeting in February 1960, it became evident that it would be wise for Faith church to relocate. Four and one-half acres of land on Butler Street had been purchased from the Ellinger sisters in June 1960 at a cost of $12,000 (reported by Rev. Ezra Budke in his pastor’s report). The congregation voted on September 24, 1961, to relocate.
Land on Oakdale Avenue was purchased in April 1962 at a cost of $17,500. The property was dedicated on September 16, 1962.
Construction began on a new church building in the spring of 1963. On September 13, 1964, the congregation gathered for the last worship service in the old building. The following Sunday, on September 20, 1964, the congregation gathered for worship in the new building. This building was dedicated on October 18, 1964. The building’s cost was $324,000. A parsonage next door cost $25,000. The mortgages were burned on October 14, 1984.
The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with the Methodist Church on April 23, 1968, to form the United Methodist Church, changing our name from Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church to Faith United Methodist Church.
In the early 2020s it became clear that, while Faith UMC was an active and even growing congregation, it could no longer maintain the Oakdale building. In fall of 2023 the congregation decided to sell the building and find a more sustainable location.
Legacy of Mt Bethel
Mount Bethel Church was established in 1960 on the corner of 70th Street and Carmen Avenue in Inver Grove Heights.
In 2024, the church members passed on their legacy by donating the church facility to Faith United Methodist Church.
Mt Bethel began this journey in 1960 as a mission of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. From humble beginnings, the congregation flourished, holding its first service at the Old Salem Historic Shrine before moving to 3239 70th Street East in Inver Grove Heights in December 1960. Mt Bethel grew in both membership and mission. From the addition of the Sunday school classrooms in 1983 to the construction of a sanctuary and basement classrooms in 2004, the church continually adapted to meet the needs of its community. A commitment to serving others remained a cornerstone of Mt Bethel’s identity throughout the church’s existence.
The Mt Bethel Church ministry has been a symphony of service, from the early days as a daycare provider to the partnerships forged with Neighbors, Inc. Also, through many many events such as; the Roast Beef dinners, highway cleanup, Gertens flower fundraisers, Power Prayers, the Xcel Center concession crew, Spirit Band, Retreats, IGH Days parade, Church camp sponsorships, the Retiree’s Clean Team, Thursday coffee fellowship, Back to School Backpack distribution, Bible Studies, Book Studies, Night to Unite, Trunk or Treat, Mahjong + Hand & Foot and helping at Hilltop Elementary. Mt Bethel has been a chorus of compassion in our community. The youth of Mt Bethel Church added their own vibrant melodies: gathering for Sunday school and lock-ins, retreats, and mission trips, McPrayer, Christmas program productions and service projects that have shaped faith in the 34 confirmation classes of 260 confirmands.
March to June 2022, Mt Bethel Church congregation entered into MN UMC Conversations at the Crossroads with a consultation Pastor Paul Woolverton, a retired UMC Pastor. The outcome of Conversation at the Crossroads occurred at 7/10/2022, an All Church meeting were membership voted to enter into a Legacy Ministry. A Chaplain type ministry, chaplain pastor at half-time to lead weekly worship and other needs including but not limited to offering communion, spiritual care to worship attenders, visitations to homebound or care facility members and life celebrations. During this time, Mt Bethel members were committed to a season of Prayer – to discern how God might lead membership in developing a Legacy Ministry for the future Mt. Bethel; A season of letting go in order to leave a legacy. As part of the Prayer initiative, pray for a church planter who will launch a transformational ministry to reach new people in the Mt Bethel mission field.
Prayer works! March 2024 members held an All Church Charge Conference meeting facilitated by Rev. Michelle Hargrave, Minnesota Annual Conference District Superintendent. The agenda, to donate the church facility & grounds and transplant Faith UM Church of West St Paul to 3230 70th Street IGH. The agenda motions received Full/unanimous Agreement. Move to discontinue Mt Bethel United Methodist Church. Move that May 12, 2024 be the last Worship Sunday for Mt Bethel UM Church. Faith UM Church, begin Worship on May 19, 2024 – Pentecost Sunday at 3239 70th Street, IGH. Move that the Mt Bethel UM Church membership as a whole be moved to Faith UM Church the week of May 19, 2024. On May 12, 2024, Mt Bethel Church attendees gathered to celebrate and close the rich history, vibrant community, and the celebrate the enduring legacy of Mt Bethel United Methodist Church.
As we look to the future, we take comfort in knowing that prayers are answered and that the spirit of Mt. Bethel will continue to shine brightly in its new home. Faith United Methodist Church will become the custodian of this sacred space, ensuring that it remains a place of worship, fellowship, and service for generations to come. With God, we made this possible!!
Faith UMC in Inver Grove Heights
On May 12, 2024 Faith United Methodist Church celebrated its first worship service in Inver Grove Heights, welcoming the members of the Mt Bethel congregation into membership and embarking on a new adventure in ministry together.