A Place to Belong on 62nd Street
Minnewashta Church sits on West 62nd Street in Shorewood, tucked among the trees on the western edge of the Twin Cities. For nearly 120 years it has been a small, warm fellowship built around the Bible, hymn-singing, potlucks and prayer. The motto on its door reads, "A Place to Belong," and members mean it. One longtime attender wrote that she walked into her first service in early January of 1981, "the day the hostages were released from their long ordeal in Iran. Yellow ribbons were everywhere to welcome them home. I, too, that cold day in January, felt that I had also come home ... to the warmth of the Minnewashta Church Family."
As of January 2026, Minnewashta Church began winding up its independent operations and turning the building over to Branch Church, a younger and growing family-centered ministry that had been sharing the space. Grant Hill, the church's pastor since 2021, remained Minnewashta's spiritual leader through the transition. The final Midweek Chapel Service was held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, followed by a closing potluck. Today the same chapel on 62nd Street hosts a new generation of families through Branch Church, while the Prayer Shawl knitters, prayer chain and Facebook page carry forward Minnewashta's name.
From Sunday School to Chapel: The First Twenty Years
In 1901, several neighborhood women started a Sunday school that drew enough interest to suggest something larger. According to the church's historical documents, member Jean Hobart called on several local families interested in forming a church, and the faith community came together in 1907. Mrs. Hobart is listed as the founder. The Ladies Aid Society was formed at the end of 1908, and sometime between 1909 and 1911 it purchased the lot on 62nd Street for $105. Plans for the original building were set in motion, and after years of perseverance the Minnewashta Chapel was dedicated in 1916.
That chapel, with its simple lines and its setting among the trees, has been the center of the church's life ever since. Music and fellowship have long been important parts of weekly services, and a culture of welcome has shaped everything that happens inside.
Twenty-Four Pastors, One Mission
The church's pastor timeline reads like a local history of ministry in the western suburbs. The first full-time minister, Rev. Luther M. Tesh, served from 1918 to 1927. He was followed by Rev. B. L. Richardson, by Mrs. Hobart again as an interim in 1932, and by Edward J. Ridings through the mid-1930s. Rev. J. E. Swenson served during the war years (1937 to 1943), then Rev. C. N. Hamrin, Lawrence Perkins Jr., and a series of ministers through the 1950s and '60s: John Stone as interim, Rev. J. S. Shelby, Rev. Austin Guild, Rev. Allen Ulseth, and Clem Wagstrom.
Rev. Paul Flucke served from 1965 to 1969, followed by Rev. Norm Pavey (1969 to 1974), Harold Shippits as interim, and Rev. Walter Ross. The longest tenure belongs to Rev. Doug Roper, who pastored from 1978 to 2001 and shaped the congregation for a generation. A memorial service for Pastor Roper was planned for July 13, 2026, at Washburn-McCreavy Edina Chapel. After Roper came Rev. Kevin Ryherd, Dr. Scott Moats twice as interim, Pastor Harlan Seri, Marcus Dahl, and in 2021, Pastor Grant Hill, the church's twenty-fourth pastor.
Handing Off to Branch Church
In the spring of 2024, Branch Church began holding its Sunday services in the Minnewashta building, and the two congregations started to overlap. By 2025, Branch Church had grown into a family-centered ministry that needed more room. The Legacy of Minnewashta Church announcement, signed by the Leadership Team, framed the change plainly: "As of January 2026, Minnewashta Church will be winding up operations and turning them over to the next generation of believers who will receive the Word at Branch Church. It has been God's plan to welcome and provide much needed space for their growing church family. This change will accommodate more families in our area to learn about Jesus."
Pastor Hill described the transition with Jeremiah 29:11 as his anchor: "For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The building that was dedicated in 1916 to serve the neighborhood is now bursting with kids again, this time through Branch Church. To God, the announcement concluded, alone be the glory.
Worship in the Final Years
Through the transition, the congregation kept two regular rhythms. The Sunday morning joint service with Branch Church began at 11:00 AM, with Branch Church also offering services at 8:15 and 9:30 AM. On Wednesdays at 11:30 AM, Minnewashta held its Midweek Chapel Service, a senior-centered gathering of hymns, prayers and a short sermon, followed by a casual lunch at 12:15 and a movie at 12:45. Communion was served on the first Wednesday of each month.
Pastor Hill's description of the Midweek service captures its tone: "We'll keep on singing songs from the Hymnal with live accompaniment, having Prayers for the People and a message from Pastor Grant." On the Wednesday calendar the order was clear: a Prayer Gathering at 10:45, the chapel service at 11:30, then Meal and Movie at 12:15. Hymn-singing was accompanied live, often with Sandra Lucas at the piano, and the choir joined when they were able.
Weekday Bible Studies and Prayer
Wednesday chapel was just one piece of a fuller weekly rhythm. On Sundays at 10:00 AM, before the joint service, Pastor Hill taught a Sunday Bible Study in the Library, often working through a focused topic (one recent example was a teaching titled "Biblical Rebellion").
On Tuesdays at noon, the Minnewashta Men's Club met in the Library for a light lunch and Bible study. That gathering had been a long-standing tradition in the church, and Pastor Hill joined it whenever he could. Also on Tuesday mornings, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, the Branch Women's Bible Study met in the Minnewashta Sanctuary. The Monday Prayer Group gathered at noon in the Pastor's Office and remained open to anyone who wanted to pray for the church's needs.
For members who wanted to keep meeting after the wind-down, the leadership team arranged for Sunday morning Bible Study and Wednesday Meal and Movie to continue informally with Dana or Karen leading. The prayer chain would keep running through email thanks to Susan Hickey, and the Facebook page would carry the Daily Scripture at least through the end of 2026.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry
One of Minnewashta's quiet treasures is its Prayer Shawl Ministry, which began in June 2020. As of recent count, the knitters - including several friends from outside the church - had given 13 prayer shawls. The pattern is held in the Fellowship Hall, the yarn is donated, and Pastor Hill blesses each shawl before it goes out. The package always includes a small handmade card and a printed message about how to receive eternal life through faith in Christ.
Testimonies from the shawl recipients have come back from hospice patients, from a friend in Naples, Florida, who carried her shawl to every chemo and radiation appointment, and from Choir Director Harvey Parker when he was recuperating at Flagstone Care Center. Judy Aarness and Carolyn Glendenning have been longtime organizers, with a verse from Romans 15:30 pinned to the work: "I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me."
The Choir, the Hymnal and a Lifetime of Music
Music has always been at the heart of Minnewashta worship. The congregation sings from the Hymnal and from a "Best of the Best" songbook that members have added to over the years. Harvey Parker served as Choir Director for many years. Sandra Lucas was the regular accompanist, and before her Mary Paulson played the organ for over 30 years. Choir member Carol Parker's favorite Bible verses, Ephesians 5:19 and 2 Chronicles 5:13, reflect the musical thread that has run through the fellowship since well before her time.
Service Groups and the Annual Rhythm
Even before the wind-down, the church's volunteer life was woven into the seasons. Members ran Operation Christmas Child, filled Christmas shoe boxes, and bell rang for the Salvation Army at the Shorewood Cub Foods during the holidays. Twice a year the property got a spring and fall cleanup day. Advent and Christmas decorating, along with the take-down in January, were a fellowship tradition. Ladies' Night Out at Hazelwood and the annual potluck - the closing potluck on May 27 was a final chance to bring an entrée, salad or dessert - kept the kitchen and the Fellowship Hall busy.
Inside the building, regular helpers hosted the post-service coffee fellowship, ushered on Sunday mornings, drove non-driving members to services, and served funeral lunches. Pastor Hill kept a standing list of open roles: teaching (youth and adults), greeting for the Midweek Chapel Service, outreach to youth, adults and at-risk individuals, helping seniors, special events, kitchen and coffee, and evangelism. Members were invited to step out of their "comfort zone and try something new."
Missions of the Month
Each month, Minnewashta highlighted a different Christian organization for prayer and giving. As the wind-down began, the church stopped collecting through its own accounts and the leadership team pointed members directly to the partner organizations. The annual rotation, as published by the Leadership Team:
- January: Renew Hope / Amborella House
- February: Open Arms Orphanage (South Africa)
- March: Bountiful Basket Food Shelf, with donations matched during the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign
- April: Meals on Wheels South Shore
- May: Jeremy Goodell Scholarship Fund
- June: Faith Search International
- July: Tree House Youth Outreach of Minnetonka
- August: MN Adult and Teen Challenge
- September: Alliance Defending Freedom
- October: Haiti Kids School
- November: Voice of the Martyrs Ministry
- December: Salvation Army
The Jeremy Goodell Memorial Scholarship
One of those missions is internal. Jeremy Goodell was the Youth Pastor of Minnewashta Church for just a short time, but during that time he made a great impact on the congregation. On the evening of August 13, 2001, Jeremy was on his way to Vacation Bible School at the church when he was involved in an automobile accident and killed. His enthusiastic and genuine love for the Lord was evident in all he did, but especially in his relationships with the youth, and he had hopes of one day being the senior pastor at Minnewashta.
After his death, the congregation established the Jeremy Goodell Memorial Scholarship, awarded each year to one or more recipients seeking to continue their education at a post-secondary institution, a continuing education program, an educational assistance program, or at any Bible or religious camp, mission trip or Summerfest. Applications begin in April and awards are presented on the first Sunday in June. Ryan Hempel and Mathew Sanchez were the 2024 recipients; Mathew, who is serving with YWAM in Mexico, was represented at the service by his father Gil.
What Minnewashta Believes
The church's mission statement frames the whole life of the congregation: "Minnewashta Church is united through worship to do God's will by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching the Word of God as it is revealed in the Holy Bible, sharing Christian fellowship and reflecting God's grace through service." Their motto is "To Know God and to Make God Known." The church recognizes the Bible as the sufficient rule of faith and practice, and teaches that living in accordance with the teaching of Jesus Christ is the true test of fellowship. Each member has the undisturbed right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In their own words, Minnewashta's beliefs are:
- The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the only inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word of God written.
- There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- In the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
- For the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
- In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling power and fullness the Christian is enabled to live a godly life in this present evil world.
- In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
- In the spiritual unity of all believers in Christ.
Becoming a Member
Members are received throughout the year by Confession of Faith (Confirmation), Baptism, Letter of Transfer from another Christian church, or, when a letter is not available, by a Reaffirmation of Faith. A member in good standing is described by the church as one who, so far as able, attends the services of the church, observes its sacraments, shares in its work, support and benevolences, and endeavors to make it a fruitful body of Christians.
From the Minnewashta Kitchen Cookbook
Potlucks and soup suppers have fed the congregation for generations, and several of those recipes have been gathered into the Minnewashta Kitchen Cookbook. The cookbook runs from Carol's Brunch Egg Bake, a sausage-and-crouton overnight casserole, to Tari Clay's Breakfast Bake, Bisquick 7Up Biscuits, and Baked Cinnamon French Toast. The salads include Frito Corn Salad, Broccoli Salad with bacon, raisins and sunflower seeds, and a Festive Salad with romaine, apple, pear, cranberries and Swiss. The soups - Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup, Corn Chowder, Pasta e Fagioli, Wild Rice Soup and Mary Lou's Cabbage Soup - were regulars at suppers in the Fellowship Hall. Entrees include Lois's Chicken Wild Rice Casserole and Deb's Tater Tot Hot Dish, and the Sweet Treats section runs from Mary Lou's Potato Chip Cookies to Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti, Donna's Blueberry Dessert, Pam Skaar's Almond Bars and Carolyn's Toffee (Heath) Bars.
Pastor Grant Hill
Grant Hill grew up in Tonka Bay, attended Minnetonka schools, and graduated from Western Bible Institute of the Assemblies of God in 1987 with a degree in Pastoral Ministries. He has been in full-time pastoral ministry since 1988. He started as a Youth Pastor at Vision of Glory Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, planted a nondenominational church called Cornerstone New Testament Church in Wayzata, and founded Youth Alive, a para-church organization that reached hundreds of students and families in the Wayzata and Orono schools. His wife Debra Lynn is his soulmate, and his favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. He enjoys walks with Debra and their dog Scruffy, sports (especially golf with his father and sons), and is a semi-professional sports photographer.
As the church wound down, Pastor Hill and Debra moved to New Ulm, and members were asked to pray for their next chapter there.
What Visitors Can Expect
Minnewashta Church sits at 26710 West 62nd Street in Shorewood, MN 55331, and can be reached at 952-474-8995 or by email at churchminnewashta1@gmail.com. Sunday worship with Branch Church has been offered at 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 AM, with the Minnewashta Sunday Bible Study at 10:00 AM in the Library. The Midweek Chapel Service on Wednesdays at 11:30 AM continued through May 27, 2026, followed by Meal and Movie at 12:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Communion was served on the first Wednesday of the month.
The dress code has always been "come as you are." One member's testimonial reads, "Come as you are. We are waiting to greet you, and share our little church in the woods." More than 200 recorded sermons are listed by date and title on the church's YouTube channel, with recent messages also posted on the church's Facebook page.
A Final Word from the Leadership
In the closing announcement, the Leadership Team wrote, "When we put our TRUST IN GOD, as we have for nearly 120 years, we know that HIS plan was, always, for Minnewashta to make a way for the next 100 years. He has been doing something wonderful here. To God, alone be the glory."
The mission that has shaped Minnewashta since 1907 - to know God and to make God known - now passes to Branch Church in the same building, with the same Hymnal and the same neighborhood. The ladies of the original Ladies Aid Society would recognize what is happening in the chapel on 62nd Street today.