Saint Paul’s was founded in 1880 with its first congregation gathering in a rented vacant store on Hennepin Avenue. This was the beginning of a long history of faithful and architectural innovation for Saint Paul’s. They were focused on how to best bring the word of God to the people of God. Their physical space was an important part of that journey. It allowed members to gather. It was needed to create a strong connection to the community. Within the year Saint Paul’s broke ground on their own church building located between 12th and 13th Streets on Hennepin Avenue. And remarkably just two years later a larger ground-level floor was added by excavating below the existing church building. An amazing architectural step forward.
But there was more innovation to come as the congregation grew. In 1902 the decision was made to move the church building to a new location at Franklin and Bryant. This was quite a task at the time. Once in their new church, the congregation continued to grow. By 1955 another new church home was needed. The Searle mansion at Logan and Franklin was for sale, and Saint Paul’s was given the first right of refusal to purchase it by the owner, Harold Tearse, a previous church member. Blessed with a large donation by existing church member Nels C. Beim, Saint Paul’s was able to purchase the mansion and build the church onto it. Another innovative architectural plan.
And now to today. Saint Paul’s has been focused on faithful innovation work over the past few years. What are they being called to do? How can they best support their neighbors? While considering these questions Saint Paul’s looked at their large, beautiful building. Is it serving the call to do God’s work? In 2020 and 2021 they made their most recent innovative decision. They decided to separate the house from the church. In 2021 the house was sold to Susie and Scott Crouse. It was a match made in heaven.
The Crouse family was looking for a multi-generational house with enough space to spread out and with community areas to come together. This house seemed a perfect match for their needs and has a great location by Lake of the Isles and Kenwood Park. They are renovating the house from office space back to a traditional home. There are many projects to complete this goal. The first priority was the bathrooms, as there were many bathrooms but no showers. Next was creating a kitchen space on the second floor where they live. And since it is bigger than needed for now, they saw the opportunity to create space for overnight renters and event space as well.
This innovative change has freed Saint Paul’s from the costs in dollars and mental energy to maintain a large historic home. It allowed them to update spaces usable by not only the parish, but individuals and groups in our community. And it has allowed Saint Paul’s members to continue to worship in a space that nourishes their souls to do the work that God has given them to do.
Saint Paul’s welcomes you to see these changes firsthand on Oct. 14 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during their Antiques Appraisal Fair when the church will be open and house tours will be given. More information about can be found at www.stpaulsmpls. org. Saint Paul’s is an active, Christ-centered inclusive worshiping community of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, deeply committed to loving God and loving our neighbors. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, Saint Paul’s welcomes you to join them at worship and for programs offered.
