This book chronicles the history of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, from its origin as a splinter congregation within the Minneapolis Methodist community—albeit one with prominent civic leaders among its parishioners—through the first hundred and fifty years of its growth, decline, and renewal. From the spirited revivals and temperance lectures of the late 1800s to the challenges of a global pandemic, it's the story of how the people of one church were touched by the social, political, and religious times in which they lived, and how they, in turn, continued to practice their faith, working to enhance their community and the wider world around them.
Lori Sturdevant is a retired editorial writer and occasional columnist covering state politics and government for the Minnesota Star Tribune. A native of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Sturdevant is the author, co-author or editor of 15 books and is a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award. She and her husband, Martin Vos, live in St. Paul; they have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Bobbie Keller was a writer/editor in the corporate communications department of IDS Financial Services, now Ameriprise, for 12 years. She wrote and edited for various companies for more than 25 years, doing business as Keller Communications. A 53-year member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Keller edited the church's newsletter as a volunteer for 12 years and is the author of 125: A History of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, published by the church in 2000. She lives in Minneapolis.
Phil Wala is a retired electrical engineer and a volunteer archivist at Hennepin Avenue UMC. In January 2021, while browsing newly available Minneapolis newspaper archives, he came upon long-hidden details about the church's early history, leading him into a rabbit hole of discovery from which he has yet to emerge. He and his wife, Vonna, live in Savage with their two rescue dogs. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. When not lost in the past, Phil enjoys canine agility training and photographing Minnesota birds.
