Churches Established in Mankato Between 1852-1900

Back to Main Street

Bethel Baptist Church

On November 12, 1892, the Scandinavian Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota was organized with twenty-six charter members. These members were all Swedish immigrants and for the first 36 years, all of the services were held in Swedish. The first meetings were held in private homes and by 1895, membership had decreased to just seventeen. On December, 7 1894, the Ladies Aid was first organized. In July of 1895, the first Sunday School was started. In 1897, the church legally incorporated as the Scandinavian Baptist Church. The first church structure was completed in 1902. In 1928, the change was made from Swedish services to English services and the name was changed to Bethel Baptist Church. During the period of 1950-1953, a new church was built at the same location. In October, 1970, Bethel Preschool Learning Center was officially opened. Since that time more than 300 area children have been enrolled in this program . On April 15, 1988, the congregation decided to move to the corner of Monks Avenue and Balcerzak Drive. The ground-breaking service was held on April 8, 1989.

Taken from a passage by Sharon Swenson

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Le Sueur Lutheran Church, Trinity Norwegian Lutheran /Evangelical Church, and Our Saviors Norwegian Lutheran Church of Mankato merged to form Bethlehem Lutheran Church in 1867. In 1924, the first church was dedicated at the corner of Liberty and Second St. As Bethlehem grew, a new sanctuary was built next to the old one. The sanctuary was built entirely of Mankato stone and an artist, Cyrus M. Running, was hired to paint a total of 58 biblical characters on the inner walls. The old church burned down in April of 1978, but the congregation rallied and built a new "Heritage" room, Youth room, and offices for Lutheran Social Services (which rents part of the facility) in its place. Bethlehem places a special emphasis on music and has four choirs which lead the congregation and perform special music for festivals and cantatas.

Taken from a passage by Patricia L. Amlie

Centenary United Methodist Church

Methodism began in Mankato in 1853, but a church was not officially organized until the summer of 1855. In the early years, the church members met in several buildings around the area. In the 1860's, the American Methodists began celebrating the centennial of Methodist work on this continent. During this time, money was borrowed from the Methodist Church Extension Fund for the building of the first church structure. The name Centenary was adopted at that time in honor of the centennial observance. In 1869, the superstructure was completed and the building was remodeled and a choir loft and pastor's study were added in 1889. The congregation continued to grow and prosper. A new building was erected in 1907 and extensively remodeled in 1922. In 1954, the Wesley Building was built. It housed the office complex, a fellowship hall, class rooms, and the Wesley Foundation. Centenary United Methodist joined with the congregations of the First Baptist Church and the First Congregational Church to build the Multi-Church Center in 1976. This building replaced the old Centenary United Methodist Church building and incorporated the Wesley building.

First Baptist Church in Mankato

On August 21, 1859, the First Baptist Church was organized. The church and congregation were seriously affected by the Sioux (Dakota) War in 1862 when their pastor fled East on the tide of refugees leaving the state. In 1868, the first church building was completed. The church membership was 30 at that time. By 1879, the membership had grown to 145. With continued growth, a larger structure was needed. A brick church was built on Broad Street in 1888 (the present site of the Welcome Inn). An Educational Wing was built onto the rear of the church in 1913. Extensive remodeling was done to this area in 1960. During the period of 1970-1976, the First Baptist Church organized two social ministries: Christian Concern, an agency for the care of the mentally challenged, and Head Start. First Baptist joined the Multi-Church project and made the move to 2nd and Cherry Streets in 1976. Although they had a declining membership in the early 1980's, the First Baptist has once again begun to grow.

Taken from a passage by Win Grundmeier

First Christian Church

The First Christian Church was organized on May 3, 1868 by sixteen members of the "Disciples of Christ". By 1872, the membership had increased to 85. The first brick church was built on the corner of Second and Grove Streets in 1895. In 1958, the congregation decided to move to a new site and purchased some land at 1735 E. Main St. On February 4, 1962, members assembled in an empty room of the old church for a farewell service. They then made a 60 car caravan and proceeded to the new church were they held the first service in the new building. In 1977, a Fireside Room and a Youth Room were added. Mankato First Christian Church is affiliated with the national denomination known as The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Taken from a passage by Helen Stansfield and William Carlson

First Church of Christ Scientist

The early history of Christian Science in Mankato dates back to 1893, when members began to meet in private homes. On May 7, 1903 a church was officially organized. The congregation purchased the Swedish Methodist Church building in 1912. In September, 1927, the lot at the corner of Second and Warren Streets was purchased. A building was begun in 1940 and the cornerstone was laid on January 17, 1941. The first service was held on June 1, 1941 and the church was dedicated on June 7, 1942. Since that time, services have been held continuously on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Taken from a passage by Jane E. Van Sickle, Clerk

First Congregational Church

First Congregational Church was organized on March 3, 1870 with fifteen members present. By December, membership had grown to twenty-seven. The group erected a building in 1871. This building, with an addition made on the side in 1906, and a full basement added, would serve the congregation for the next 105 years. On October 26, 1870, a Ladies Aid society was organized. This group was instrumental in raising funds to get the church out of debt. By 1890, membership had increased to 175 souls, with an additional 275 in Sunday School, and another 100 enrolled in the Christian Endeavor Society for young people. In 1902, the church began mission work around Mankato. The First Congregational joined with First Baptist and Centenary Methodist to form the Multi-Church Center in 1976. The congregation continues to do mission work around the Mankato area through projects such as Food For Friends and the ECHO Food Shelf.

Taken from a passage by Eddice Barber

First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church was organized on August 31, 1855 at the home of James Hanna with seventeen charter members. The Women's Society, known as the Ladies Sewing Circle, was formed in 1855 to aid in the work of the church. A church was built on the present site of the Security Apartment Building and the first sermon was preached there on November 27, 1864. In 1887, Hope Mission was organized and the Young People's Christian Endeavor Society was organized in October, 1888. The present church building was built at the corner of Broad and Hickory Streets and dedicated on September 27, 1896. An Annex was built in 1927. Fifty-four men and one woman responded to the call to arms during World War I. Early in 1922, a fire burned the Normal School and the church opened its doors to the college. A remodeling program was begun in 1956 and an addition of a chapel and new classrooms was completed in 1957. Members of Zion Presbyterian Church merged with the First Presbyterian congregation in 1973.

Taken from a passage by Dorothy Otto

Grace Lutheran Church

Twenty-three Swedish immigrants organized the Immanuel Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1887, but in 1925, when the Swedish language was no longer used and there was confusion with another church also named Immanuel, the name of the church was changed to Grace Lutheran. Another congregation from Belgrade joined Grace Lutheran in 1928. Grace Lutheran maintains a close relationship with both Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and the Mankato Lutheran Home, as they have throughout much of their history. They also participate strongly in the community.

Taken from a passage by Florence Spmberg

Hilltop United Methodist Church

The First Evangelical Church of Mankato was organized in September 12, 1868. In 1872, a frame church building was erected at the corner of North Second and Elm Streets. The congregation relocated to the corner of Fourth and Lafayette Streets in 1919, and finally settled in the Hilltop Area in 1969. They changed the name to Hilltop United Methodist Church in 1968 to reflect the change. The first service at the new church was held on January 11, 1970. In 1977, an addition was added for more Sunday School rooms. In 1989, the narthex was enlarged and a permanent sanctuary was built.

Immanuel Lutheran Church

On September 15, 1866, articles of incorporation were drawn for "The German Lutheran Emanuel Church of Mankato." As the pastor wrote out the churches constitution he consistently spelled "Emanuel" as "Immanuel", so the church officially became "The German Lutheran Immanuel Church of Mankato." The church was dedicated October 27, 1867. A Sunday School and Ladies Aid were also begun that first year. The first congregation began a Lutheran day school for its members. For the first 15 years, the pastor was the sole teacher at this school. Around 1869, the congregation acquired Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery which is located two miles north of Mankato. As the church membership grew, a new church building was constructed at the corner of Second and Spring Streets. The Lutheran School also grew rapidly. In 1887, a new school was built on the Broad and Washington Street site. During the first half of the twentieth century, the congregation started a high school, college and seminary and had a hand in starting another college, a hospital, and a synod. In 1966, construction was begun on a new elementary school. Classes began in this new school in 1970. Following a lightning and thunderstorm, the church caught fire on July 4, 1971. Fire doors between the church and the school saved the school from major damage. The congregation rebuilt the church and dedicated the new building on November 16, 1972. Salvaged ceiling timbers from the old church were turned into the large cross behind the altar. The congregation recently added a gymnasium to the school.

Taken from a passage by Hope Redlin, Secretary

Our Savior's Lutheran Church

Our Savior's Lutheran Church was organized in 1867 with twenty-five members. The congregation built their first church in 1875 at the corner of Pleasant and Carroll Streets. On January 19, 1919, Our Savior's joined with Trinity Lutheran under the name Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran's building was designated as the place worship was conducted. Due to increased membership, a new church was built at the corner of Liberty and Second Streets in 1924. The two old churches were torn down and some of the material was used in the construction of the new church.

Taken from a passage written by Julie Schrader

St. John's Episcopal Church, Mankato

The first Episcopal service was held in Mankato on May 18, 1855. Services were held irregularly for a number of years, until a regular pastor was hired in 1860. Services were held regularly until the Sioux Uprising disrupted the area. St. John's Parish was formally organized on July 9, 1866. On June 1, 1866, the congregation acquired the lot at Broad and Warren Streets, where the church has stood ever since. The building was consecrated on December 7, 1869. On December 6, 1922, a disastrous fire, probably caused by an explosion in the furnace, gutted the church. A Guild Hall, between the church and the rectory, and the rectory itself were saved. Early in 1923, rebuilding began, with services held in the Guild Hall during construction. It was occupied by the fall of 1923 and rededicated on November 8. A new rectory on Liberty Street was purchased in 1953. The old rectory became an expanded church school facility. The parish sponsors a family from Vietnam that arrived in 1988, and contributes regularly to Echo Food Shelf, Welcome Inn, and Food For Friends.

Taken from a passage Ann Christenson

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

On June 14, 1884, Father John Prior held the first Mass for the newly established St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in the basement of SS. Peter and Paul parish school. A new church was built at the corner of South Broad and Hickory Streets. The first Mass in the yet unfinished building was celebrated on Sunday, August 2, 1885. The church was legally incorporated on August 22, 1885. The choir, established in 1885, is the oldest organization at the church. Also established in the first year was the Altar and Rosary Society. Its function has always been to serve the parish's social and spiritual needs. Around 1900, St. John's became known as the students' parish and special classes and events were held specifically for the students of the State Normal School. In 1910 a steeple was added, the front entryway was altered from a single doorway to three, and lighting was converted from gas to electricity. St. John's school system began in 1942. By 1951, overcrowding caused the parish to begin construction on a new school designed to accommodate 360 pupils . In 1973, St. John's combined with St. Joseph the Worker School. A new church with an attached rectory was completed in 1961. It stands at the corner of South Broad and Liberty Street. In 1984, the bells were installed as part of the parish's centennial celebration. In 1989, the registered membership of St. John the Baptist parish was 1, 108 families. One hundred and eighty-three students were subsidized in the parochial school and 428 were enrolled in the religious education program. St. John's is open twenty-four hours a day for anyone seeking a sanctuary for prayer and meditation.

Taken from a passage by June Cummiskey

Saint Peter and Paul's Catholic Church

In 1854, the newly arrived settlers from St. Charles, MO. began to organize a committee to begin a Catholic church. Their first action was to acquire the current parish land located between Fifth and Sixth Street and Main and Mulberry Streets. In 1855, the first Catholic Mass was celebrated in Mankato. At the request of parishioners, the School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived in 1856 to teach in the school. After several years of heated debate over building plans, the cornerstone of the current church building was laid on July 25, 1871 and dedicated on November 23, 1873. Many of the names of the 38 Sioux Indians condemned to die after the Sioux Uprising are listed in the baptismal records of the parish. In 1874, the Jesuit Fathers took over pastoral responsibilities in the parish and developed the school system. In 1910, Loyola Club House was built (destroyed by a fire in 1967). It became the social center for the local Catholic community. In 1927, the current SS Peter and Paul's Grade School and Loyola High School (now the multi-parish building Xavier Hall) were built. DeSmet High School (now Fitzgerald Middle School) was built in 1956 and a new convent was built in 1962. The membership at SS Peter and Paul's Parish has exceeded 1,350 households.

Taken from a passage by Fr. Ted Hottinger, S.J.

Seventh Day Adventist Church

In 1874, the first congregation gathered at the Red Jacket Public School and organized a group of believers into a church. The church members then moved to Tinkcomville, now known as James Avenue, where a very modest church structure was erected. In 1884, the congregation again came together and decided to build a church at 317 State Street. The Eagle Lake branch of the Seventh Day Adventists joined with the Mankato branch in 1926 and the Good Thunder branch in 1942. The Seventh Day Adventists now meet in their new church at 210 Pohl Road in Mankato.

Taken from a passage by Olive Blumenshein

Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church (First Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church) was organized in 1869 with a membership of six or seven families. The first meeting were held in public buildings around the Mankato area. The church reorganized in 1873 and the name was changed to Trinity Evangelical Norwegian Lutheran Church. On January 19, 1919, Our Savior's joined with Trinity Lutheran under the name Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran's building was designated as the place worship would be conducted. Due to increased membership, a new church was built at the corner of Liberty and Second Streets in 1924. The two old churches were torn down and some of the material was used in the construction of the new church.

Taken from a passage by Julie Schrader

Back to Main Street

Source:
The Heritage of Blue Earth County Minnesota. pgs. 308-327. Curtis Media Corporation. Dallas Texas. 1990.