Collection on Plymouth Congregational Church

Plymouth Congregational Church was organized in 1857 by 18 charter members. The Reverend Norman McLeod acted as pastor. They built their first building in 1858 at Nicollet and Fourth Street. On April 3, 1860, the Reverend Harry Nichols preached a sermon on temperance and that night, the church was destroyed in a fire. A new church building was dedicated in 1863 on the same location. The parish continued to grow and eventually outgrew this building; in 1875, they erected a larger church at Nicollet and Eighth. As the city grew, many parishioners moved southward where no church existed within a mile radius. In 1906 the group decided to build a new Plymouth Church at Nicollet and 19th. In 1909 it was completed and Plymouth Church has been at this location ever since. Many additions (starting with the chapel in 1948) and changes have been made since 1948 to the present day, with a new education wing and other improvements completed in 2007. During the church’s first year, a group of parishioners formed a bible class. Church Clerk C.M. Cushman’s 1864 records state that “The Sabbath School connected with the church is in a flourishing condition and has grown rapidly.” 1865 marked the start of young people’s meetings, and 1866, the first Sunday school. These Sunday schools were opened in various locations throughout the city and most of them eventually became schools, mission settlement houses or community centers, including the first free kindergarten in the city. Bethel Mission Sabbath School, was replaced by Pillsbury Settlement House, a donation of John S. and Charles S. Pillsbury as a memorial to their parents.

In 1887 parishioners organized a Society of Christian Endeavor which attracted both adult and youth membership. Their activities included mission work and Bible classes. Their goal was to cultivate members who would go forth and build a Christian foundation in the new city of Minneapolis. The church’s mission work also went beyond the city, as they sent numerous parishioners to foreign countries and hosted the 51st meeting of the American Missionary Association.

In 1937, Park Avenue Congregational Church joined Plymouth. Church membership in 1957 was at 1,955. Today, Plymouth Church maintains many of these activities and promotes itself as a church of liberal theology that provides “mutual encouragement and support for one another’s journeys of faith.”

A comprehensive history of the church from its founding to 1957 can be found in The Centennial Record. Further information on Pastor Howard Conn can be found in his autobiography, A Hand Always Above My Shoulder.

1857

Plymouth Congregational Church organized by 18 charter members with Rev. Norman McLeod as pastor.

1858

First church building dedicated at Fourth Street and Nicollet Avenue.

1860

Church destroyed by fire.

1863

New building dedicated on site of the first building.

1865

Young people’s meetings organized.

1866

First reported attendance of Sunday School. Vine Street mission established.

1873

Cornerstone of third church building laid at Eighth and Nicollet Avenue.

1875

Third church building dedicated debt free.

1885

Church parlors added.

1888

Miss Anstice Abbott, first missionary from Plymouth to be appointed to India.

1890

1,500 delegates from American Board of Foreign Missions met at Plymouth Church.

1897

Quasi-military organization, Plymouth Zouaves, organized.

1909

Present church at 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue dedicated.

1921

World War I memorial dedicated.

1937

Park Avenue Congregational Church joined Plymouth with Reverend Bertram B. Hanscomb as co-pastor.

1944

Howard Conn is pastor.

1950

New chapel and religious education building dedicated.

1954

Nicollet Avenue annex purchased and renovated for church school.

1957

Plymouth Congregational Church celebrates its centennial.

1976

Pastor Howard Conn retires.