Written by Phil Wala
1876 (December 27)
Hennepin Avenue Sunday School (identified in this era by their building – the Tabernacle) takes up a collection for grasshopper sufferers. (Minneapolis Tribune)

1880 (December 25)
The Hennepin Avenue Church Sunday School children will have their Christmas service on Sunday evening, the 26th. Meanwhile, mischief is afoot in Minneapolis, thanks to a crowd of galoots. (Minneapolis Journal)

1895 (December 26)
Hennepin Church’s choir director is nationally renowned Thomas Taylor Drill. On Christmas Day, Drill had a Christmas party for choir members at his home. According to the Minneapolis Journal, they first lit the large Christmas tree, and then told stories ….. until all of the Christmas tree candles burned out!

1899 (December 24)
The Minneapolis Tribune details Hennepin Church choir plans for the coming year. Hennepin’s choir director is Emil Oberhoffer, a celebrated musician, director, and composer, who will go on to found the Minnesota Orchestra.

1916 (December 29)
The name Gilbert Stansell doesn’t appear on the list of senior pastors for Hennepin Church, but perhaps it should. Stansell served as associate pastor while Andrew Gillies was pastor. The present building was under construction, and Gillies was suffering from exhaustion, which resulted in him being away from the church recuperating for almost all of 1915 and 1916. Stansell took over Gillies’ duties during that time. The church continued to pay Gillies full salary during this time, and continued to support him even after his resignation. Judging by his farewell gift, Rev. Stansell was also well taken care of.

1917 (December 25)
The United States has entered the World War, and in an 8am Christmas Day ceremony, the 90-foot flagpole in front of Hennepin Church is dedicated

1939 (December 22)
Hennepin Avenue Church presents Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Carolyn Joyce. (Minneapolis Times and Minneapolis Star)

1947 (December 29)
Art classes are being taught at Hennepin Church’s University of Life.

1954 (December 25)
The Hennepin Methodist Church chancel is redesigned.

1955 (December 25)
It’s Sunday morning, it’s Christmas Day, and for the first time, a Hennepin Methodist Church service will be televised over KEYD-TV, Channel 9. (Or you could switch to Channel 4 to watch “Winky Dink and You.”)
To watch a portion of this 1955 Hennepin telecast that was preserved on film, click the image.
2000 (December 30)
The Star Tribune’s “Gladly, the Cross-Eyed Bear” column contains a Hennepin anecdote submitted by Rodgers Adams.

2018 (December 22)
The Star Tribune publishes an article about 101-year-old Bill Pilgram, who has been ushering at HAUMC for 80 years. Click the picture to read the full article.