From “How it Was” by Evelyn Shumway”
It might be said that the Congregational church in Robbinsdale grew out of Salvation Army prayer meetings that were held, long ago in the old village hall. Once a month, also, on Saturday afternoons, a Covenant meeting would be held at the Free Will Baptist church on what is now Highway 52 and Bass Lake Road. It was some tines known, as the Little White Church, This was in the 1880’s and early 1890’s.
Before the Congregational church was built, John P. Shumway, one of the first settlers in the area, was clerk and deacon of the Little White Church. As more families came into the area, another church was planned. There was discussion as to what denomination would please the largest number of people. It was finally agreed that a Congregational Church should be built. Mr. and Mrs. Shumway resigned from the Little White Church 11 on April 27. 1889. In May, 1889 the new Congregational church was organized. After their organization meeting they went to a Salvation Army meeting that afternoon.
Shumway donated the one-half acre of land on which the church was built in 1890. It is at the present intersection of Highway 52 and 42nd Ave. N. On Oct. 17, 1890 ground was broken for the new church.
It had 28 charter members. Mr. A. B. Robbins was not one of them, as he was a Presbyterian. The Rev. Neuville Fanning, one lot the first ministers (1889-1890) was provided with a house near the church. He died before the church was completed,
In 1891 the Presbyterians considered starting a church of their. The Congregationalists concerned, as they felt the community was too small far two churches. The idea of a second church was finally abandoned.
E. J. Shumway, son of John Shumway, wired the new church. The entire job cost $57.83 for the upstairs and $26.50 for the basement. Total, $84.33. The entire original church building cost $3,450.For many years it stood out as a landmark to the neighboring countryside, its steeple towering above the trees.
The Revs. S. J. Rogers and Oakey were other early pastors of long standing. In September, 1902. Donald Colp came as pastor. Later he left the ministry and became a Robbinsdale physician. While pursuing his medical course at the state university,” said a 1904 newspaper article, “he gives full attention to this work under his care.”
In recent years the Congregationalists moved to a new building at 4200 Lake Road. The old church still stands as prominent as ever, now used by another congregation.
Published by the North Hennepin Post on
Thursday, October 25th 1962
