Minnetonka Lutheran Church
16023 Minnetonka Boulevard | Minnetonka, MN | 952.935.3419
Worship Celebrations
8:45am
Traditional Worship
9:50am
Education Hour
11:00am
Contemporary Worship
Traditional Worship
9:50am
Education Hour
11:00am
Contemporary Worship
Our Story
On September 20, 1953, forty people gathered in the Groveland School gymnasium for worship services. The Home Missions Department of the E.L.C. had called Pastor Axel Anderson to serve this new flock assisted by Parish Worker Beverly Franklin.
On March 21, 1954, Minnetonka Lutheran Church Congregation was organized and the first building was dedicated. Under the able leadership of Pastor Anderson, the congregation showed steady growth. Early in 1958, the congregation refinanced the church indebtedness and left Home Mission Sponsorship.
By 1960 need for more facilities prompted a Building Fund Drive and architect Don Hustad was instructed to prepare a Master Plan of building. This plan was accepted in August. Progress was interrupted abruptly by the accidental death of Pastor Anderson on August 8, 1960. The spirit of cooperation and action that Pastor Anderson had nurtured became eveident in the way the church program was kept in continuous service through this difficult time. Ansgar Sovik of Northfiled served the parish in the nine month interim much of the time.
In May, 1961 Pastor Gilford Helgesen assumed the pastoral duties of the congregation to lead us in a new era of growth and development. Plans were completed for the sanctuary, and on October 29, 1961, ground was broken for this structure.
December 2, 1962 the "new" (our current) sanctuary was dedicated. Total construction cost approx. $268,000 - seating 500.
May 4, 1969 Fifteenth Anniversary of Minnetonka Lutheran Church was celebrated.
November 15, 1970 Dedication Concert for the new Moller Pipe organ.
December 24, 1971 Dedication of the new bell.
