Hidden within Minneapolis’ Longfellow neighborhood sits Bethlehem Covenant Church. It’s a place brimming with nearly a century of stories. The church wasn’t always the brick-and-mortar structure you see today. Bethlehem Covenant Church’s humble beginnings trace back to 1913. In the home of Peter Edquist, a Sunday school blossomed, nurturing the spiritual growth of children attending the recently opened Minnehaha Academy.
The Sunday school flourished, and by 1922, it boasted an enrollment of 100 children. Occasional worship services began to accompany the Sunday school lessons, held within the academy’s chapel. This marked a pivotal moment for the burgeoning congregation. On December 28, 1922, Bethlehem Covenant Church officially came into being. Twenty-six charter members laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of the community. The church continued to utilize Minnehaha Academy’s chapel and classrooms for its growing needs.
In 1926, Bethlehem Covenant Church took a significant step forward by acquiring land at its present location on 43rd Avenue and 32nd Street. However, the Great Depression stalled their building plans. The congregation’s dream of a dedicated space would have to wait. It wasn’t until 1941 that construction finally commenced. On April 12, 1942, amidst great joy, the congregation gathered for their first official service within the newly constructed church. The building became a tangible symbol of their perseverance and faith.
The following decades witnessed continued growth. In the 1950s, recognizing the need for expansion, Bethlehem Covenant Church purchased adjacent property. This acquisition paved the way for a building expansion program, resulting in the addition of much-needed classrooms and a dedicated youth room. The expanded facilities were dedicated on April 26, 1959.
In 1982, Bethlehem Covenant Church further expanded its community outreach with the establishment of the Bethlehem Child Care Center. Located in the lower level of the church, the center has provided essential preschool and after-school care to neighborhood children for decades. That same year, a generous gift from the congregation, commemorating the church’s 60th anniversary, funded renovations to the church’s lower level. It also provided crucial supplies for the installation of a water system in Gemena, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).
Bethlehem Covenant Church’s commitment to mission work extends beyond its local community. Members have participated in short-term missions across the globe, from Japan and Alaska to Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, Taiwan, and Cameroon. The church nurtured a particularly strong partnership with a small church in Puerto Montt, Chile, for nearly a decade. Bethlehem’s continued support of missionaries reflects its dedication to spreading the Gospel worldwide.
In the late 1990s, the church underwent another significant expansion, adding an elevator, office space, improvements to the Child Care Center, and a community room. Under the leadership of its pastors and staff, Bethlehem Covenant Church has maintained a vibrant worship tradition while embracing new programs and initiatives. With a beautifully restored pipe organ, the church offers both contemporary and traditional worship services. Even in its hundredth year, Bethlehem Covenant Church remains steadfast in its commitment to serving its urban neighborhood.