Wooddale Church

Gazing upon Wooddale Church, one might hear whispers of its remarkable journey. Wooddale Church wasn’t always the grand structure we see today. It began humbly in 1943 as “The Wayside Chapel”, meeting in a former Minneapolis tavern. Imagine the contrast, from a place of earthly libations to a sanctuary of spiritual reflection. Wooddale Church’s early years were shaped by students and faculty from Northwestern Bible School and Bethel College and Seminary. They nurtured the fledgling congregation until 1949 when John D. Lundberg became its pastor. A pivotal moment arrived in June 1949. The church officially became “Wooddale Baptist Church” of Richfield, with 32 charter members. That same month, they broke ground on their first permanent structure, a basement sanctuary. Growth continued, leading to the expansion of the Sunday School. By 1954, attendance reached an average of 238, necessitating the construction of a dedicated Christian Education space. Tragedy struck in 1957 when Pastor Paul Thompson, who had succeeded Lundberg, died in a car accident. Peter Unruh then took the helm, overseeing further expansion due to continued growth. The church expanded again in 1964. Leith Anderson’s arrival in 1977 marked another era of transformation for Wooddale Church. Under his leadership, the church grew significantly, relocated to its current location in Eden Prairie, and embraced diverse worship styles. The move to Eden Prairie in 1981 was a significant leap of faith. They purchased 32 acres of land and began construction on a new campus. The magnificent Worship Center, with its impressive steeple and 2000-seat capacity, was completed in 1990. The church continued to flourish, adding more facilities, expanding its worship schedule, and welcoming thousands of attendees each weekend. Wooddale Church also houses a remarkable pipe organ, one of the largest tracker organs in North America. Its design blends European tradition with distinctly American elements, making it ideal for both worship services and concerts. The organ’s rich and varied sounds fill the sanctuary, creating an immersive experience. Wooddale Church didn’t just build a sanctuary, they built a community.