Mount Zion Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Records

During the fall of 1926, Rev. Paul Brauer served as missionary-at-large for the area directly south of Minneapolis. At that time, a small group was already meeting for Bible Study. The first church service in 1926 was held in a private home. The first church was a real estate office in Richfield, Minnesota. People wanted a Sunday School as well, so the church moved to a larger home out of Richfield. Shortly afterwards, the Minnesota District rented another house that served as a chapel until 1928. In 1928, the Minnesota District built a "bungalow chapel" - a two-story house. If the congregation grew, this home could be converted into a regular residence and a church could be built. This bungalow chapel was dedicated on November 25, 1928. It was known as Mount Zion Mission Station. In early 1930, the congregation was organized with the name of Mount Zion Lutheran Church. On August 17, 1930, Rev. F.L. von Husen was ordained in San Francisco, California and then was installed at Mount Zion. In 1931, a large group of members started meeting for worship and Sunday School at East Richfield Public School. The Richfield Mount Zion group dedicated a chapel on October 11, 1931. This Richfield group organized a separate congregation on May 2, 1933, forming House of Mercy Lutheran Church. Mount Zion struggled, but their pastor convinced the mission board to give him another chance. Mount Zion became incorporated on August 21, 1936. By 1938, the "bungalow chapel" was too small, so groundbreaking for a new chapel took place on November 20, 1938. Dedication was on May 21, 1939. Mount Zion joined the LCMS in 1940. This location was sold in 1949. The next building was dedicated on April 15, 1951. A pipe organ was purchased and dedicated on March 31, 1957. The need arose for a Parish Education Building, and ground-breaking ceremonies for that Educational Unit took place on July 17, 1960. It was dedicated on September 24, 1961. Growth of the congregation continued throughout the 1960s. The art glass windows were dedicated on January 28, 1968. When the Director of Youth and Education became Counselor of Youth Ministry for the Minnesota District, the congregation decided to begin a vicarage program. The Bells and Carillon were dedicated on December 13, 1970. In 1971, the congregation decided to support a special missionary to the Philippines, Rev. Roland Kauth. On December 12, 1975, the new decorative lighting, the free-standing altar and "Vineyard" mosaic were dedicated. On November 14, 1976, Candidate Steve Kosberg was commissioned as a missionary to Wobag Lutheran Church, Papua New Guinea. Upon his return to Minnesota in 1982, Rev. Kosberg was Commissioned at Mount Zion as a missionary to the Hmong community of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Mount Zion's closing service was held on June 27, 2021. (This information was taken from "A Time to Rejoice", 1989.)