“Peace” is what the word Salem means. That meaning is very important to Salem Lutheran Church. Salem Lutheran Church’s story is one of transformation.
The Salem congregation began in 1890. By 1904, parts of the current facility were built. Significant additions came every few decades. The west education wing was the last addition. It was added in 1963. It accommodated an extremely large congregation of several thousand. Salem was part of the Lutheran Church in America. This was before the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA.
“Urban flight” started before the 1963 addition was done. Many Salem families moved to the suburbs. Salem’s population declined over the years. It struggled to regain momentum. The church struggled to pay for its costly facility. In 2006, Salem’s congregation voted for change. They wanted a renewed understanding of itself and its ministry. On October 29, 2006, Salem celebrated its history. It closed the Salem building with festivities. The congregation continued. But the facility was shuttered to save money. This allowed time for plans to grow.
In 2005, Salem Lutheran and Lyndale United Church of Christ started talking. Lyndale was a neighboring congregation. Each faced similar issues. They had a shrinking congregation. They also had a large and unsustainable facility. Salem’s building was 44000 square feet. Lyndale’s was around 27000 square feet. The week after closing Salem’s building, Salem began worshipping at Lyndale. This was on November 5, 2006. Their partnership grew. They shared Sunday School. They also shared a youth program. They shared some justice and community life activities. A few staff were shared. They worshiped together about four times each year.
During these years, Salem and Lyndale moved. They moved from Lyndale’s building to Intermedia Arts. Lyndale’s building was sold. First Christian Church joined the partnership. Together, the three churches made plans. These plans became SpringHouse Ministry Center. They moved into this shared center at Christmas in 2011.
Transformation continues today. This includes changes in facility and leadership. It includes changes in congregational culture. It also includes the partnership with Lyndale and First Christian Church. It is now the SpringHouse Ministry Center.
In 2008, Jen Nagel was ordained as Salem’s Pastor. This was an Extra-ordinary Ordination. Jen had served Salem as Pastoral Minister for four and a half years. The ELCA couldn’t ordain Pastor Jen then. This was because of its ban. The ban prohibited ordination of those who are gay or transgender. The people of Salem wanted a settled pastor. So they voted to call Jen as their pastor. Since the ELCA couldn’t affirm the ordination, an extra-ordinary ordination was held. In 2009, the ELCA changed its policies. In 2010, Pastor Jen was welcomed onto the roster of the ELCA.
Salem Lutheran Church has shown great strength. It has adapted to many changes. It embraces diversity and speaks the language of its neighborhood. It offers an authentic way of being Christian. Its focus remains on ministry. It is a welcoming place for all.