An Artisan’s Eye: Medicine Wood Repairs Windows, Conducts Assessment

An Artisan’s Eye: Medicine Wood Repairs Windows, Conducts Assessment

It was evident in the meticulous care with which he removed each piece of wood moulding holding the windows in place. So into his work, he seemed completely unphased by the crisp November temperatures and the sight of his breath with each exhale. Occasionally, he’d offer an explanation of a finite detail that revealed the age and authenticity of Old Salem’s construction. It was clear, Jake Jones of Medicine Wood is a master craftsman and an archeologist of historic buildings.

Where is Old Salem? The Multiple Locations of Old Salem Shrine

By Joe Brotzler, Trustee

Salem Evangelical Church was completed in 1875. An extremely well-attended celebration was held on June 1, 2025, at what is now known as Old Salem Shrine, to commemorate the sesquicentennial for this historic icon. It is unlikely that any of the attendees (except maybe Joe Atkins) knew the complete history of Old Salem Shrine’s locations.

Although Salem Evangelical Church/Old Salem Shrine has stood in the same spot for 150 years, the location of the church has officially been in five distinct geographical entities: two townships, two cities and one village!

When Salem Evangelical Church was completed in 1875, it was in West St. Paul Township. West St. Paul Township was officially organized on May 11, 1858. That was the same date Minnesota became a state.

On March 2,1887, the Minnesota state legislature approved a proposal to make the entire township of West St. Paul into the City of South St. Paul. Salem Evangelical Church was now located in its second official geographical entity. If you look on the back wall of the church, you will find a copy of the official plat of the cemetery as it was filed in Ramsey County on July 31, 1888. Note the location is given as the City of South St. Paul!

Salem Evangelical Church did not remain in South St. Paul very long. Less than two years later, the rural element on the western side of the city and the business element in the eastern portion had become at odds. The western group petitioned the state legislature to form their own city. The legislature approved their petition and on February 22, 1889, the current City of West St. Paul came into existence. Although it did not remain in South St. Paul, Salem Evangelical Church was not located in this new city. The areas of the cities of the then South St. Paul and West St. Paul did not encompass the total area of the old West St. Paul Township. This excess area ultimately became Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, part of Eagan and part of Inver Grove Township. It was the added portion to Inver Grove Township that contained Salem Evangelical Church.

Salem Evangelical Church was now located in its third geographical entity. Inver Grove Township remained the home for Salem Evangelical Church for 76 years. On March 9, 1965, Inver Grove Village – a small community located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just downstream from South St. Paul – and the Township of Inver Grove merged to form the Village of Inver Grove Heights, which then became the fourth geographical entity housing Salem Evangelical Church.

On January 1, 1974, in order to be in compliance with a new state statute, the Village of Inver Grove Heights changed its name to the City of Inver Grove Heights. Salem Evangelical Church/Old Salem Shrine was now located in its fifth (and likely final) geographic entity.

West St. Paul Township (1875 – 1887), South St. Paul (1887 – 1889), Inver Grove Township (1889 – 1965), Village of Inver Grove Heights (1965 – 1973) and finally the City of Inver Grove Heights in 1974 : that’s quite a run for a small country church that never moved an inch!