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50 YEARS OF HISTORY
Wow! Has it really been 50 years? How did it all start?
In 1958 the Minnesota Conference urged the creation of two new suburban churches, one in the Wayzata region, and one in Richfield. This resulted in Southview which is still in its original location, and Minnetonka. It is interesting that Southview and Minnetonka are now the two largest churches in Minnesota, Minnetonka being by far the largest.
Minnetonka first met in May of 1958 in the Wayzata Junior High School. My family transferred from the Auditorium Church (later to become Northbrook, and now The Edge). I was one year out of Maplewood academy. There were 100 original members. Only a small handful of those original members have been in continuous attendance. (I was in Hinsdale for about 5 years, but then returned.)
The following Spring, construction was begun on the Wayzata Blvd. site. There were several building contractors among the members, who donated much of the labor. We started services in September of 1960, sitting on folding chairs on concrete floors. The church was completed and dedicated debt free on May 2, 1964. The first permanent pastor was M.C. Horn.
A lot has happened since then, but it would seem the Hand of God has rested on this church, in spite of the challenges we have faced. The church grew steadily, until we maxed out our space and parking. It took a few years until conditions were right to sell the building on Wayzata Blvd. and build on our current site. Since moving here, growth has resumed. There is a constant flow of visitors, many of whom are looking for a new church home.
One of the challenges and blessings we have had is Minnetonka Christian Academy—this has been our largest single ministry. Minnetonka is the only Adventist church in North America to maintain a K-12 school. And over half the students that attend MCA are not from our membership. The blessings of God have often been evident as we have journeyed through the ever changing educational landscape.
We have long felt that the spiritual development of our children is a first priority. The church has funded a series of wonderful youth pastors over the years who have had a strong spiritual impact on our youth.
I see a bright future for this church. We are in the best of hands with the leadership of Ivan & Elvera Blake and Benji & Stephanie Ferguson. I am thankful for the privilege of being part of this exciting journey.
--Bob Dahl, Charter Member, May 08, 2008
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY
MINNETONKA ADVENTIST CHURCH! |
On May 17, 1958, the Minnetonka Church was founded. As we celebrate this historic event, we thank God for all He has done to bless this congregation through the years. And we honor those who joined themselves together as a church family to grow this church to the glory of God. The names of the charter members follow: |
Clarence Blake*
Luella Blake*
Barbara (Blake) Potter
Mavis (Blake) Fowler
Robert Brayshaw
Barbara Brayshaw
Larry Burgeson
Mardelle (Burgeson)
McManaman
Paul Dahl*
Dorothy Dahl*
Judy (Dahl) Brenner
Bob Dahl
John Dougan
Marie Dougan
Carolyn Dressler*
Stanley Ekrem*
Janet Ekrem*
Bertha Graves*
John Gullickson*
Ellen Gullickson*
Harold Hostetler*
Esther Hostetler*
Norman Jarnes*
Colletta Jarnes
Don Jarnes
Janet (Jarnes) Camp
Swen Jarnes*
Gertrude Jarnes*
Marco Jones
Ruth Jones
Dr. Elmer Kelln
Jean Kelln
John Larkin*
Martha Larkin*
William Lauer*
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Clare Lauer*
Richard Lauer*
Ron Lauer
Dr. Adrian Lauritzen*
Evelyn Lauritzen
Ned LeBard*
Phyllis LeBard
John Less*
Lorrin Madsen*
Ruby Madsen*
Russell Manheimer*
Marguerite Manheimer*
Dr. Carl Martinson*
Alma Martinson*
Dr. Elmer Martinson
Peggy Martinson
Martin Martinson*
Loren Mattson
Mildred Mattson
Elder Lyol Netteburg*
Vernice Netteburg
Kermit Netteburg
Kenneth Oien
Olive Oien
Oscar Oien*
Pauline Oien*
Alfred Olson*
Grace Olson*
Donald Olson
Joanne Olson
Dr. Rolland Olson*
Rosella Olson
Charles Pierce*
Elsie Pierce
Jacque Pierce*
Vera Pierce*
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Jacquelyn (Pierce) Porter
Richard Pierce
Richard P Pierce
Mayna Pierce
Andreas Rasmussen*
Clara Rasmussen*
Donald Roderick*
Doris Roderick
Barbara (Roderick) Boutto
Robert Roderick
Mildred Roderick*
W.E. Rushold*
Iona Rushold*
Fred Schwerin*
Myrle Schwerin*
Mabel Sever*
Dr. C. H. J. Swanson*
Eleanor Swanson*
Kathleen (Swanson)
Taylor
Kristine (Swanson)
Seltman
Edward Swanson*
Martha Swanson*
Oscar Torkelson
Laura Torkelson
Lillian Veith*
Anna Vikingson*
Raymond Waterhouse
Mabel Waterhouse
Bonnie Jeanne Waterhouse
*deceased |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE WINDOWS
The designs in the windows of the sanctuary and the chancel have been chosen to depict significant aspects of Christian life and doctrine. Seventh-day Adventists recognize the creation, the fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of God's law as the pillars of Christian faith. These ideas are symbolized in the four north windows. The creation of this earth, and its sustenance by the hand of God, is suggested in the first window. Forbidden fruit and the beguiling serpent, familiar symbols of man's fall, are depicted next. The Iamb wounded for our transgressions, and bearing the banner of victory, represents the atonement. Tables of stone, inscribed by the finger of God, symbolize the eternal principles leading to ideal relationships among men and between God and man.
Understanding and acceptance of these ideas leads to the development of faith, hope, and charity, the great moral powers of the soul. These motivating powers, characteristic of Christian behavior, are represented in the three south windows. To the rear of the sanctuary are the cross and the Greek letters alpha and omega, traditional symbols of faith in God. Hope is shown by an anchor together with two fish. Both symbols were employed by the early Christians. The anchor is a disguised cross, while the fish was a secret sign used by persecuted Christians to identify themselves to each other as believers. The initial letters of the Greek words, "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior," spell the Greek word for fish. The heart, denoting love, is intertwined with olive branches symbolizing acts of mercy and healing; together they express Christian charity.
Those whose lives are founded on principle, and motivated by faith, hope, and love, look forward to eternal life. This glorious reward of the saints is typified in the chancel window by the tree of life. The roots supporting the tree recall the statement of Jesus that, "1 am the root. . . of David." Surmounting the tree is the "bright and morning star," suggesting the victorious reign of the risen Christ.
On the trunk of the tree (the large window of the tree is still installed in the church on Wayzata Blvd), through which flows the river of life, is depicted a lighted candle with seven stars, a modified version of The Waldensian Seal. It represented the light of truth kept shining by The Waldensians during a dark period of the Christian church. So today, as darkness settles over the earth, God's truth continues to shine through the lives of His people. |
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