ABOUT
History
St. John’s has been an active faith community in Linden Hills since 1903—a place that values faithful innovation, courageous justice-making, and wrestling with good questions together.
In the Beginning: 1903
St. John’s was founded in 1903—its first building had been an old gymnasium converted into a sanctuary. Over the ensuing decades a new building was constructed, financed and lovingly maintained despite the Great Depression—a clear indication that this congregation has been generous and hard-working from the beginning.
Learning Justice & Faith: 1960s
The 1960s were tumultuous times in the country and the church. St. John’s took courageous stands in support of the Civil Rights Movement, against the Vietnam War, and in favor of women’s ordination and the revision of the Book of Common Prayer. Many of the things we take for granted in this place were hard-fought struggles by forebears who were forward-thinking and who sought to be faithful to Jesus’ liberating, life-giving way.
Expanding Welcome: 1990s
In the 1990s, after ups and downs in attendance in membership, the congregation asked whether we could affirm the LGBT community and grow youth ministry at the same time. We believed God was asking us to do both, so we did. Our parish has grown and thrived since.
Today: Adapting to Change through Values
As of 2022, our community is asking life-giving questions about Jesus’ Way and about what it truly means to embody the love of God in 21st century Minneapolis. After a period of prayerful community visioning work, we have identified five values that we believe God is calling us to prioritize: sacredness, spiritual nourishment, belonging, transformation and creativity.
