Written by Phil Wala
1871 (March 12 & 16)
These may be the earliest examples of paid newspaper advertisements for Centenary Church, the church from which Hennepin Church originated. The remarkable thing about the ad on the right is that it was created long before the invention of “copy and paste” editing! (Minneapolis Tribune)
1872 (March 12)
Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church hosted a week-long series of afternoon and evening services on the topic of Christian holiness. The “Holiness Movement,” which emphasized pious behavior and abstinence from nearly all forms of amusement, had a strong influence on the late 19th century Methodist Church in Minnesota. Perhaps inevitably, this doctrine generated disagreements between those who defined holiness differently, a factor that may have contributed to the conflict which precipitated the splitting off of Hennepin Avenue Church from Centenary Church in 1875. (Minneapolis Tribune)
1907 (March 17)
Dr. Fayette L. Thompson, pastor of Hennepin Avenue Church from 1904-1907, sends a complimentary letter to the Minneapolis Tribune just before his April departure. Apparently the Tribune deems the letter worthy of a large headline and also a photograph. (By the way, this is the only known photograph of the pastor’s office in Hennepin’s “red brick church” at Tenth and Hennepin.)
1912 (March 14)
Newspapers are reporting that T. B. Walker is in New York City to purchase a million dollars worth of artwork, to be given to Hennepin Church for display in an art gallery in its new building. The newspapers not only report the name of the hotel where he is keeping his newly purchased treasures, but also the fact that the room is often left unlocked and unguarded! (Minneapolis Tribune)
1944 (March 14)
A member of the Hennepin Avenue church choir has been wounded in action in Italy. James K. Aurness will return home to Minneapolis and work for a while as a local radio announcer before heading to California where he will join an acting troupe, and score a prominent role in the movie, “The Farmer’s Daughter.” He will then drop the second letter from his last name, and go on to a successful career in movies and television. (article: Minneapolis Star, photo of James Arness as Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke”: wikimedia commons, public domain)
1960 (March 17)
From a sleeve of negatives found in the church archives: a March 17, 1960 photo session with the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church choir, and minister of music Thure Fredrickson (front center).
1995 (March 12)
Thirty years ago this week, Hennepin pastor Dr. Rodney Wilmoth preached a sermon that may be even more relevant today than it was then. Entitled “Facing Our Fears,” Wilmoth speaks of the time Jesus faced opposition from the political power of King Herod:
“I hope we can hear this, whenever we’re up against the fear, whenever we’re facing the Herods in our own experience, whoever it is, or whatever it is, that we’ll stand our ground, that we’ll not run, because we know that we can be faithful and obedient, because we trust God’s presence with us.”
Listen to the entire message here:
