150th Anniversary Community Reunion a Huge Success

On Sunday, June 1, literally hundreds of people joined in the 150th Anniversary Community Reunion at Old Salem Shrine. On the warm, sun-filled day, many came to see inside the church for the first time while many descendants of the church’s original members reconnected with distant relatives.

Members of the Board of Trustees answered questions inside the church as people streamed in while other Trustees and descendants were in the cemetery to share information about their families with guests. The event also included a bake sale, a kids’ lemonade stand and an ice cream truck that dished out more than 200 servings of free scoops, floats, sundaes and ginormous ice cream sandwiches that hit the spot in the summer heat.

A short ceremony was held to dedicate a new landmark sign identifying the historical church to passersby. Board of Trustee President Krista Hutchinson, Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins, Inver Grove Heights City Council Member Tony Scales and Rev. Michelle Hargrave, District Superintendent with the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church shared a few words of reflection on the longevity of the church and what life might have been like as an early settler to the area.

Following the dedication ceremony, everyone present gathered for a group photo much like the photo taken at the 1931 reunion.

From before the noon start time until after 3 p.m. published conclusion, people continued to flow into the church and church yard. Cars were lined up both sides of Annette Avenue in its entirety. A police car was stationed just east of the church to control traffic while Trustees diligently acted as crossing guards to keep guests safe.

KARE-11 News did a short story on the event. Watch it here.

Manthei Offers $6,000 Matching Grant Challenge

Old Salem Shrine Trustee Gerald Manthei has generously offered Old Salem a matching gift up to $6,000 for 2025 donations. Please help us make the most of this gift by donating today!

Gerry has made the gift in loving memory of his parents, Wesley and Florence Manthei, and his aunt Arline Felland, who are all buried at Old Salem.

*We may recognize donors in upcoming newsletters. If you prefer to remain anonymous, please note this on your donation. Please include an email address with your mailed donation.

1931 Community Reunion

At the 150th Anniversary Community Reunion on June 1 at 1 p.m., we will gather for a photo much like the group above did on August 1931, when the first community reunion was held some years after the church had closed for Sunday services and fell into disrepair. The West St. Paul Booster/Dakota County Globe ran an article promoting the event stating, “It is expected that all former members residing within riding distance will participate at this memorial service.”

We hope even those beyond riding distance will join us June 1! Following the 1931 event, the papers reported:

REUNION AT SALEM CHURCH HELD SUNDAY

Memorial Services Conducted in Abandoned Church for Charter Members.
Former Residents of District Come from Many Parts for Gathering.

The old congregation of Salem Evangelical Church, situated on the Salem Road between South Robert Street and the German Road and adjacent to Schmidt’s Lake and long since abandoned, held a memorial and reunion service in honor of Frederick Jacob Zehnder and Mrs. Carolina Fredericka and Mrs. Maria Barbara Zehnder, deceased, and other charter church members.

After twenty [eighteen] years since services were held in this quaint old church, its doors were re-opened last Sunday afternoon. Services were conducted by Charles Kachel, who was raised in the Salem district and a former member of this congregation; Rev. G. Spaeth of St. Paul, a former pastor of this church; and Rev. R. M. Mueller, also a former pastor. The three pastors recalled the hardships endured by the early pioneers in this district many years ago.

150th Anniversary Reunion to Draw Descendants & the Curious

Sunday, June 1
12 Noon - 3 PM

For 150 years, Old Salem Shrine has stood as a reminder of the steadfast faith of early settlers to the Saint Paul area. As Minnesota’s first congregation of the Evangelical Association of North America, Old Salem holds a special place in history in our state.

The Old Salem Shrine Trustees are hosting a “Community Reunion” on Founders Day, Sunday, June 1, to bring together descendants of the church’s founders, neighbors, history buffs and curious passersby. The event will include:

• Guided Church & Cemetery Tours

• Children’s Story Time

• Mik Mart Ice Cream Truck (FREE!)

• Kids’ Lemonade Stand

• Bake Sale

• Beverages

Guests will also have the opportunity to visit with descendants of the church’s founders.

New Landmark Sign to be Dedicated

Old Salem has been without a sign visible from the street noting its name significance for many years. Thanks to generous donors, including descendants of one of the founding families, the Kochendorfers, the church will once again have a landmark sign erected in front of the church.

At 12:45 p.m. on June 1, there will be a short ceremony dedicating the new sign.

Participating in the ceremony will be:

• Krista Hutchinson, President, Old Salem Shrine Board of Trustees

• Rev. Michelle Hargrave, District Superintendent, United Methodist Church-Minnesota Conference

• Tony Scales, City Council Member, City of Inver Grove Heights

• Joe Atkins, Commissioner, Dakota County

Lewis Honored by City of Inver Grove Heights

Jill (Zehnder) Lewis, was recently honored by the City of Inver Grove Heights with one of its two inaugural Bridge Builder Awards. Rob Reitberger, owner of Hometown Meats and Hometown Sweets, was also recognized.

City Council Member Tony Scales shared comments about Jill at the State of the City event, where Jill’s daughter Amy accepted the award on Jill’s behalf. Scales, whose family has a deep connection with Jill's, married his wife Kimberly at Old Salem in 2012. Jill devoted herself to the community through many endeavors, including serving as President of Old Salem Shrine's Trustees, until her death in 2020. We are forever grateful for Jill’s dedication to Old Salem and her legacy in the community.

For more on the Bridge Builder Award and the inaugural recipients, please watch this Town Square TV feature.

Old Salem Welcomes Ian Peters

Ian Peters will bring God’s message to Old Salem Church for the Epiphany Service January 5, 2025 at 4:30PM. Ian’s mission is to speak prophetically into the life of the church and reach out to those who do not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Born into the home of a missionary and raised in Australia, Ian felt the call of God early in life and began preaching in 1981. His ministry has included pastoral work as well as ministering in camps, seminars, conferences and crusades all over the world. Those experiences have included teaching the Bible at Hillsongs in Australia, from where some of the music we have begun to use in the service has come; as well as our own Red Rock Camp here in Minnesota, where God has used him in a mighty way.

Ian has the passion to see the fires of revival lit in the lives of believers as well as reaching those who have not committed their lives to Jesus. This passion has led to the founding of CityLights Global with a commitment to raise up a generation that will bring the Word of God to those who need it.

Most of his work is overseas in poorer countries, leading meetings to develop, encourage and strengthen newer Christian pastors and churches and leading evangelistic services.

Ian married Maree in 1982 and has 2 sons, Daniel and Stephen.