Glendale UMC History

 

The Church land, which is located at Glendale Road and 135^th Street in Savage, was purchased on September 9^th, 1981, by the New Church Development Group. It was several months before this that the Savage Mission Development Committee (SMDC) had begun meeting. They took the very first steps in considering beginning a new church in Savage.

 

Our founding fathers were Richard Harper, Ralph Shoemaker, Darvin Larson, Bob Hunter, Jerry Schoeppler, Paul Bosshardt, Lyle Krumrie, Kendrick Johnson, Bruce Christie, Norm Erickson, Stan Hanks, Norm Lidke, Tom Balance, Loren Nelson, and Wayne Ireland. Floyd Bosshardt acted as a consultant for this major project and did several studies collecting data about Savage that aided the SMDC. We were the fifth new United Methodist Church in Minnesota in the 1980’s.

 

With the aid of several volunteers from surrounding United Methodist Churches, a census was taken on May 16 and 17, 1984, to gain information on the religious lives of Savage residents. Out of about 1000 households, approximately 120 families were identified as having a positive interest in the new United Methodist Church.

 

One obstacle to our progress was the fact that a minister had not been assigned yet to our new church. This was soon overcome when Pastor Wayne Walther, his wife, Susan, and children Kathryn, Luke, and Joel decided to accept this unique challenge. Wayne’s duties began on July first, 1984. Wayne served congregations in Hill City, Swatara, and most recently St. Francis, Minnesota, before joining us.

 

Before our first worship service, Wayne and Susan hosted several small get-together parties at their home that summer of 1984. It was at one of these gatherings that the name Glendale United Methodist Church emerged. This seemed to fit us well as the church land is on Glendale Road and the area used to be called Glendale Township.

 

Finally, the day had arrived for our very first worship service. It was September 9^th, 1984, exactly three years to the day after the closing on the church land. We met and continue to meet at the Savage Elementary school gymnasium. The attendance for church was 95 and our first offering amounted to $479.97. For Sunday School that day, there were twenty-two adults and fourteen children.

 

The next big event for us was our Chartering Service held on January 27^th, 1985. It was an afternoon service with 225 present; 69 of whom were received into membership. The message was given by Bishop Emerson S. Colaw. Special music was provided by the Hand Bell Choir of Holy Trinity United Methodist Church of Prior Lake, the Children’s Choirs from River Hills United Methodist Church of Burnsville, and a contemporary vocal group “Revelation” from Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Bloomington. It was a day not to be forgotten.

 

One of our big successes in 1985 was the overwhelming response to the mission goal set for Minnesota Food Share to be contributed for the month of March. The goal was set at 1,000 pounds for the Scott-Carver Emergency Food Shelf. We surpassed that goal and collected 1,080 pounds.

 

Our first baptism was on November 25^th, 1984. Jena Marie Wurdeman became our first preparatory member when she was baptized that Sunday. Her parents are Scott and Debra Wurdeman.

 

Another first came on July 14^th, 1985. This was our first outdoor service on the church property. During the service we witnessed the baptism of Jenna Lynn Madison, daughter of Jim and Cindy Madison. This was the first baptism on the church land. The water for the baptism was taken from the Credit River which runs below the church land.

 

On October 20^th, 1985, the members unanimously adopted the plans for our church building designed by the architectural firm Armstrong, Torseth, Skold and Rydeen. The first phase of construction, which is projected for a June 1^st, 1986, groundbreaking, will consist of a large multi-purpose room for worship and education, church office, kitchen, narthex, and large nursery. Completion will be from 4 – 6 months after construction begins.

 

In November of 1985 we had our stewardship campaign to raise funds for our new church building and the general budget. The Executive Committee, directed by Lois Leineke, steered this successful campaign. As of December, 1985, the members pledged a total of $109,228 to finance the construction, well over the goal of $100,000. Our Sunday offerings over the last 3 months have averaged $1,295, helping us meet our goals.

 

Our present membership is 104 and still growing. Unfortunately, we lost two of our friends through death in 1985, Marilyn Christensen and Ella Schahn.

The Sunday School attendance continues to grow. This fall another adult class was started and the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd grade classes divided because of the large size.

 

The first confirmation Class, started in April, will join the church membership when they are confirmed this spring.

 

The music program has also grown this year. Besides the women’s quartet and the adult choir, which finally has a male voice, this fall a choir for children from grades 1-7 was added. All of these groups add beautifully to Sunday morning worship.