Written by Phil Wala
1875 (October 4)
This short article in the October 6, 1875, Minneapolis Tribune confirms Monday, October 4, as the date of the resolution to form the new church that would become known as Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. As remembered by those who were present, the meeting took place in the home of Anna Goheen¹ with the Minnesota Bishop Stephen Merrill and Bishop Isaac W. Wiley of Boston in attendance. Wiley, who was in town to help dedicate the new building for First Methodist Church in east Minneapolis (formerly St. Anthony) on Sunday the 3rd, was recruited by Bishop Merrill to help bring the four-year feud at Centenary Church to an end.
The reason the October 18 date was later assumed (and cast in bronze on the cornerstone) is that October 18 is the date of first entry in the official church record book. But that is actually the date of the second meeting, in the home of T. A. Harrison, at which the first meeting of the new Sunday School was planned.
Those of you who are still having doubts about whether to celebrate the church’s anniversary on the 4th or the 18th should note that this year’s sesquicentennial celebration takes place on October 11, exactly halfway between the actual date and the “cast in bronze” date.²
__________
¹ Proving that it was not just “gentlemen” at the meeting, as the article purports]
² We’re just trying to keep everyone happy, No sense starting another feud
1891 (October 6)
Hennepin pastor Dr. Otis Tiffany fainted while preaching in Red Wing on October 4.¹ He says it was due to a “temporary attack of indigestion.” Unfortunately, it was much more serious than he cared to admit. Tiffany never returned to the pulpit and died three weeks later. (Minneapolis Tribune)
___________¹ Coincidentally, Hennepin Church’s 16th anniversary.
1893 (October 4)
As reported in the next days Minneapolis Tribune, Hennepin pastor Frederick Holman and Harriet Hulet (“Hattie”) Walker were married in Hennepin Church¹ with Bishop Fowler² officiating.
_________
¹ Coincidentally, Hennepin Church’s 18th anniversary.
² For whom Fowler Church was named.
1899 (October 6)
At the Methodist Conference being held in Fowler Church, Dr. J. F. Chaffee rebuffs suggestions that lack of growth in the local Methodist Church might be due to his engagement with “up-to-date” ideas such as evolution and higher criticism. (Minneapolis Times)
1924 (October 5)
Gilbert and Susan Walker have moved into their new home at 425 Groveland Avenue, next door to the church. After the death of the Walkers, this home became the church parsonage, and then the Ministry Center which now houses the Dignity Center ministry. This home was a replacement for a previous house that was destroyed in a fire on December 18, 1920. (Minneapolis Tribune)
In 2009, Bob Glancy put a lot of effort into compiling a detailed history of all of the property sites on the block where Hennepin Church is located. This work, called Hennepin’s Neighbors, has now been scanned into a pdf format and updated with high-resolution images of the included photos and documents, and with new more recently-discovered information. Click the image below to download and read this updated version of Hennepin’s Neighbors.
1930 (October 5)
Dr. Richard Campbell Raines, new pastor of Hennepin Church, is to preach his first sermon on Sunday, October 5. The article is incorrect on one point. He was actually only 31 at the time. (Minneapolis Star)
1935 (October 5)
This small article¹ in the Minneapolis Tribune announces something new happening at Hennepin Church — a Sunday evening program for young people called University of Life. It will feature suppers, chapel services, and special interest classes. This program will continue into the 1970s, attracting large numbers of young people from all over the Minneapolis area, not just Hennepin Church.
_________¹ mentioned on page 112 of Aspire! 150 Years at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
2000 (October 2)
Hennepin pastor Rod Wilmoth participates in the annual “Blessing of the Animals” and has a very appreciative parishioner. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
