Saint James Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Records

Saint James Lutheran Church was originally named Portland Avenue Lutheran Church. After a survey was made by the Minnesota Mission Society, the Mission Board of the Minnesota District of the LCMS, in 1924 placed the Rev. L. Bollefer in the vicinity of the present location. The pastor opened a Sunday School late in 1924. The school met regularly in the pastor's large rented house. Sunday School sessions only were held for two years, although several attempts were made at beginning preaching services. The district's Mission Board believing that a church building would attract people of the neighborhood, purchased lots, and a chapel with a basement was planned and built. The chapel was dedicated on September 5, 1926. The congregation was organized on September 27, 1927. Pastor Bollefer took a call in December 1927, and on April 29, 1928, Rev. O. H. Lottes was installed. Late in 1929, the present parsonage, unfurnished, was purchased. Nine years later, the congregation became self-supporting. The congregation grew steadily. The 10th anniversary was celebrated in 1937. In 1949, as growth was regarded as "stale-mated", the congregation began to plan an enlarged, relocated, and beautiful church building. The nave and chancel of the former chapel with some changes were embodied in the new building. This new building was dedicated on December 16, 1950. The 25th anniversary was celebrated on September 28, 1952. The fiftieth was celebrated on September 19, 1976. The 70th anniversary year was observed in 1996-1997. Seventy-five years was recognized beginning on September 15, 2002, with another celebratory year. The 80th anniversary was celebrated on September 17, 2006, followed by 90 years on October 2, 2016. CHI has not received any information regarding the closing of this congregation, but it appears to have occurred in 2022.