SpringHouse Ministry Center: Three churches, three traditions in the Lyn-Lake Neighborhood

SpringHouse Ministry Center plans to introduce itself to the LynLake and Whittier neighborhoods in south Minneapolis with a festive open house event on Saturday, February 4 from 1-4 p.m. A number of public officials will be on hand to welcome SpringHouse and the nearby Greenleaf Apartments to the neighborhood.

The new venture, located at 610 W.28th Street in Minneapolis, is home to three progressive Protestant congregations: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Lyndale United Church of Christ and our own Salem English Lutheran Church (the former owners). The congregations came together in a unique partnership; common ownership of a building sharing space and renovation expenses while maintaining their separate congregations. The partnership took the one of the three buildings, which was the sanctuary portion of the old Salem Lutheran, retrofitting it to house three churches with ample spaces for worship and community activities.

“SpringHouse will be the launching pad where we will not only live out our distinct identities while sharing ministries such as Christian Education, but find new ways to connect with the community as well, ” said Jen Nagel, pastor of Salem English Lutheran. “We think SpringHouse can be a new way of being church in the 21st century,” said Bob Brite, the transitional pastor of First Christian Church. “Too many churches are in the same position we were all in: a smaller membership dealing with large buildings. This is a way that congregations can become more sustainable environmentally and financially and be free to do God’s mission in new ways,” Brite said.

The building features three sanctuaries, two on the main level and one on the lower (garden) level as well as a commercial kitchen, and classrooms. Most of the spaces can also double as public space for community meetings and events. “While SpringHouse is a space where we can worship God, we also want to share the space with the community as a place to meet, renew, grow resilience and work for the healing of the nations”, said Don Portwood, pastor of Lyndale United Church of Christ. The open house will include tours of SpringHouse, special music and ecumenical guests. It will be held in conjunction with an open house for the new Greenleaf Apartments, an affordable housing project located on what was once Salem English’s education wing.

“We are excited Brighton Development was able to buy a portion of our land and develop it into a beautiful building that adds to the neighborhood. And it’s affordable housing”, said Pastor Nagel. “It fulfills the mission of all three churches to do justice in the world.”

A special worship service will be held on March 25 at 2 p.m. to formally dedicate the building. More information at www.springhousemn.org.