About Westminster»

For nearly 150 years, Westminster Presbyterian Church has worked to fulfill its mission of serving as “a telling presence in the city.” At its founding in 1857, the congregation was a small gathering of eight people of Scotch, Irish and Welsh heritage. After raising $2,000, they built a church on Fourth Street in Minneapolis. The Westminster congregation grew rapidly, prompting the construction of a new, larger church on Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue (now Nicollet Mall), which opened its doors in March 1883. Some twelve years later the building was heavily damaged by fire, forcing the congregation to move. Ground was broken in 1896 on the new site at the corner of Twelfth Street and Nicollet Avenue – Westminster’s current site – and the congregation began meeting for services at the present church in 1897.

The architectural design, including the floor plan of the sanctuary, was modeled after the earlier church on Seventh Street. The chapel, parlor, great hall, cloister hall, and new offices were added in 1937. The education wing was built in the 1950s. A remodeling project in 1985 updated and refurbished many areas of the church and included the addition of the current upstairs office space.

In 1998 a major renovation of the sanctuary was undertaken. This $3.5 million project focused on three main areas: restoration of elements found in the original sanctuary design, renovation of tired and worn elements, and desired improvements. A primary objective of the sanctuary project was to restore elements of the original design. These elements, lost in earlier renovations, include enriched color throughout the sanctuary, decorative painting, patterned carpet, and an uncluttered space. The renovated sanctuary reopened for worship on Sunday, December 20, 1998.

In 1999 Westminster was entered on the National Register of Historic Places. This registry is the official list of historic properties recognized by the Federal Government as worthy of preservation for their significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. Westminster is honored to be on the register and is committed to preserving our piece of history for all who will pass by and enter our doors.

The Sanctuary 

The sanctuary, semi-circular in design, seats 1,300 people. Consistent with the Presbyterian commitment to Word and Sacrament, the focus in the sanctuary is on the pulpit and communion table.The Nicollet Mall Rose Window measures approximately 16 feet in diameter, is composed of eight large petals and eight triangular-shaped kite panels, and contains over 4,000 individual prices of glass and 672 glass jewels, all of which are glazed in lead. As part of the 1998 sanctuary renovation project, the Rose Window was removed and repaired. Missing and non-original glass pieces were replaced with glass specially manufactured by Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company, the same manufacturer that provided glass for the window over 100 years ago. The other windows in the sanctuary were designed by the Willet Studios of Philadelphia and put in place during the 1950s and 1960s. The Moeller organ was built in 1980.

The Chapel

The Gothic-style chapel seats 175 people. This more intimate space is well-suited for weddings, memorial services, weekday worship and private prayer.

Images of Westminster

Class of 1901

Late in the year 2000, while searching Westminster’s archives, senior pastor Timothy Hart-Andersen found a dusty old scrapbook titled Book of Remembrance, Class No. 1. Compiled by ten boys ages 10 – 12, and inspired by their teacher Andrew Benton, the book is filled with photos, information about the boys, inspiring quotes from notable regional and national figures, and messages to future students. Click on one of the links below to explore the Book of Remembrance and read the legacy left by ten young boys. About the Book of Remembrance Famous People Last Man Letters Sealed Page The Boys of Class No. 1 Westminster: An Historic Church, Building for the Future