Written by Phil Wala
1876 (February 13)
After meeting for its first sixteen weeks in rented facilities, Hennepin Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church dedicates its first building. Because it was intended to be a temporary home, it was called “The Tabernacle,” after the movable tent-like sanctuary in the Old Testament. The simple wood-frame structure cost $3302.70 to build, and was completed in just seven weeks, debt-free. It was built on a leased lot on 8th Street just west of Hennepin Avenue. The church would later purchase property on the southwest corner of 10th and Hennepin and move the Tabernacle to the rear of that lot while the “red brick church” was being built. (Photo from HAUMC archives, articles from Minneapolis Tribune)
1900 (February 12)
The cry “Remember the Maine” refers to a US battleship that sank in Havana harbor in 1898. But there were other ships also called “the Maine” that almost no one remembers. In 1900 Hennepin Avenue Church raised money for one of them, the hospital ship RFA Maine, a British ship, staffed by American nurses. It was headed for South Africa where fighting was taking place in the “Second Boer War” between British and Dutch settlers over who owned the land. Those whose ancestors were born there apparently didn’t have a vote. (Articles Minneapolis Tribune and Times, photo Wikimedia commons)
1949 (February 16)
Hennepin pastor Dr. Harold Ruopp exchanges pulpits with Jewish rabbi Morris Gordon. (Minneapolis Star)
1958 (February 16)
Hennepin pastor Dr. Chester Pennington speaks at the 15th Annual Inter-racial Service with a message title taken from John Donne’s “No Man is an Island” passage. (Minneapolis Star)
Two years later, he repeats that message in a Sunday morning message at Hennepin Church, and the reel-to-reel tape of that service still exists in the church archives. To hear what Dr. Pennington had to say about racial injustice in 1960 (and to sadly realize how little progress has been made in 65 years), listen below.
1968 (February 12)
Duke Ellington, his orchestra, and singers appeared in two sold-out “Sacred Concerts” at Hennepin Church at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm. You can view the program for that event here. (Article from Minneapolis Star, overlaid with photos from the Minnesota Historical Society Newspaper Negatives collection)
1975 (February 16)
Rev. Dr. Martin E. Marty is a preeminent theologian and historian of modern church history, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago where he taught for 35 years, Senior Regent at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, former Lutheran pastor, and author of over 60 books. Now 97 years old, he is also the father of Minnesota State Senator John Marty. Shortly after the merger of the Hennepin and Border Church congregations, Dr. Marty published a paper in “The Christian Century” (which he edited at the time) highlighting Hennepin Church in a series about the nation’s most creative congregations.
As one of the special celebrations held during Hennepin’s 1975 Centennial Year, February 16 was set aside as “Martin Marty Day,” and we were privileged to have Dr. Marty as our guest. He is seen here greeting Hennepin Church member and noted civil rights activist Harry Davis.
Unfortunately, we have not found a recording of Dr. Marty’s message. But you can read his 1957 “Christian Century” article about Hennepin Church here.
