This is a guide to faith, spirituality, and religion in the city of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota.
Although the most common religion in Saint Louis Park is Christianity, the city has a high Jewish population. More than thirty-five percent of the Jewish population in Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan region reside in Saint Louis Park, and there are synagogues and Jewish schools in the city to serve this community. The Beth El Synagogue meets the needs of the city's Conservative Jewish population, while its Orthodox Jews are served by Bais Yisroel Synagogue, Chabad of St. Louis Park, Darchei Noam, Kenesseth Israel Congregation, and Mikvah Ritualarium. A congregation known as Or Emet Minnesota, affiliated with Humanistic Judaism, was active in Saint Louis Park in the early 2000s, but that congregation now meets in Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
The city's Jewish population came largely from Minneapolis after World War II, and they have been an important part of the community since that time.
The city's early settlers were largely Christian. Prior to 1870, Christian services were held from time to time at the Pratt School, but there were no established congregations. The Rev. Henry Albert Stimson of the Plymouth Church of Minneapolis held service once a month at the school, or in various homes within the village.
The first building intended for church services was built in 1878. It was a 30x48-foot chapel known as Clarke Chapel, although no regular minister was in service until the Rev. B.F. Shuart was called in 1881. When he left after only a year, it was another three years before the Rev. H.F. Tyler came.
Clarke Chapel became the Union Congregational Church in 1883, and the Rev. George Hood was called to be its pastor. A parsonage was built.
The second church established in Saint Louis Park was the Brownlow Methodist Church, built in the early 1890s but it ceased operations after suffering a fire followed by a cyclone.
Brookside Methodist Church began in 1915, and the Methodist Meeting House was formed in 1942. These two bodies merged in 1946 to become Aldersgate Methodist Church.
Another of the early churches in Saint Louis Park was the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, built in the 1890s to serve those living in the Oak Hill area west of the marsh. It burned in 1924.
The First English Lutheran Church was organized in the 1920s, although several earlier attempts to bring Lutheranism to Saint Louis Park had been unsuccessful. From the mid-1920s to the early 1950s, several other Lutheran congregations were formed, including Saint Luke's Lutheran Church (1926), Wooddale Evangelical Lutheran Church (1929), Westwood Lutheran Church (1935), Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (1948), Timothy Lutheran Church (1951), and the Cross of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (1951).
The Park Baptist Church began in 1944, and Oak Hill Baptist Church started in 1950.
St. Louis Park Evangelical Free Church began services in 1945, building a basement chapel the following year, and St. George's Episcopal Church was organized in 1947.
The Holy Family Catholic Church, built in the mid-1920s, was the first Catholic parish in Saint Louis Park. The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church originated in 1945, the Church of the Good Shepherd in 1946, and St. John the Evangelist was established in 1950.
The Christian Science Society of Saint Louis Park, and the B'nai B'rith, have had a presence in Saint Louis Park, as well.
Many of the churches that have been a part of the history of Saint Louis Park have ceased operations, moved, or merged with other congregations. Some remain, and several new congregations have been established since the 1950s, representing several Christian denominations and sects, as well as those of other religions, particularly Judaism.
Regardless of religious affiliation, any place of worship in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota is appropriate for this category. Websites representing any religious or spiritual congregation, ministry or program based in Saint Louis Park is suitable for this category, as are those that are focused on any topic relating to faith, religion, or spirituality in Saint Louis Park.
Recommended Resources
Anglican Church of Saint Dunstan
Founded in 1977 by a group of people who were concerned that the Episcopal General Convention was breaking with church tradition. The Continuing Anglican parish is located on Brookside Avenue in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. Its history, clergy, and vestry are outlined, and a calendar of events, and an overview of its services are put forth, its publications may be downloaded, and a three-year lectionary is included.
http://stdunstananglican.org/
The Conservative Jewish congregation was established in 1920. Its history and a profile of the Beth El community are put forth, along with its clergy, staff, executive committee, the board of directors, publications, and gift shop. Its adult, youth, and community educational programs, recent sermons, and live streaming are included. Its lifecycle ceremonies, a calendar of events, and ways to contribute to its work are presented.
https://www.besyn.org/
Chabad Shul of Saint Louis Park
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Chabad is a global movement of Jewish education, practice, and connection. The Chabad Shul of Saint Louis Park is located on Raleigh Avenue South in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. A calendar of events, schedule of synagogue services and adult education programs, and Jewish holidays are defined, along with access to Tetzabeh, its publication.
https://www.chabadslp.org/
The Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue is located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Affiliated with the Orthodox Union, the congregation was established in 2005. An introduction to the congregation is given, Photos are included, along with a calendar of events, schedules of services, youth programs, and adult education. The congregation’s rabbi is introduced, and links to Torah sites are provided.
https://www.darcheinoammn.org/
The congregation meets at its facilities on Rhode Island Avenue South, in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. A profile of the church is set forth, with an overview of its beliefs, a statement of faith, and an introduction to those who do the teaching and the preaching. The church’s leadership are introduced, including office hours and contacts. Service schedules, a calendar of events, and announcements are posted to the site.
http://ggf.church/
Located in the Sorenson neighborhood of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, the Roman Catholic parish is in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The church also operates the Holy Family Academy, a PK-8th-grade Catholic school. A church bulletin, mass and confession times, Eucharist adoration schedules, sacraments, and administrative contacts. Its programs for children, teens, young adults, and adults are included.
https://www.hfcmn.org/
The Torah observant congregation is located in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, serving the Jewish population in the suburban Minneapolis region for more than a hundred and twenty-five years. A profile of the congregation and an introduction to the rabbi are provided, and a calendar of events, bulletins, downloadable educational audio on various topics, and videos prepared by the congregation’s rabbi.
http://kenessethisrael.org/
Created in 2015 when the St. Louis Park Evangelical Free Church and the CityVision Church merged, the Saint Louis Park, Minnesota congregation is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America. An introduction to the church is given for those who are new, and its family ministries are defined. A sermon archive is posted, and its membership policies, service schedules, and a calendar of events are included.
https://parkcommunitymn.com/
Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Saint Louis Park, Minnesota church is highlighted, including its weekly service schedules, fellowship and missions programs, Christian education programs, and a calendar of upcoming programs and activities. A brief history and profile of the church are put forth, including its pastoral staff, administrative contacts, office hours, and announcements.
http://www.peaceprez.com/
Union Congregational United Church of Christ
The oldest church in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, Union Congregational was founded in 1870. Originally known as Clarke Chapel, it was renamed Union Congregational Church of Minneapolis in 1883, taking its current name when the Congregational Church joined with the United Church of Christ. Weekly schedules, a calendar of events, a church bulletin, administrative contacts and office hours are posted.
http://www.unionslp.com/
The Westwood Lutheran Church was created in 1944 when the North Side Community Church affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Its history and an overview of its ministries are put forth, along with a description of the facilities, a new member introduction, weekly schedules, and a calendar of events. The church council and staff, administrative contacts, and office hours are stated.
http://www.westwoodlutheran.org/
