A cold January day in 1977 four determined souls met. They were laying the foundation for the Anglican Church of Saint Dunstan. This wasn’t just another church. It was a refuge a haven for those who cherished traditional Anglican practices. The Episcopal General Convention of 1976 had ignited a firestorm of change. Many felt the church was straying from its roots. These four John Fitzimons Fred Joseph Walter and Jane Nones felt a deep calling. They sought a space to preserve the faith they held dear.
The Anglican Church of Saint Dunstan was born from this yearning. Its inaugural service took place at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel on May 22 1977. Forty-seven people attended that first service. They were drawn by the promise of a traditional Anglican experience. Some were there out of simple curiosity. It wouldn’t be long before the church found a home of its own.
The early years were challenging. The Anglican Church of Saint Dunstan was nomadic renting space wherever it could. There were times when services were held in an athletic club. The altar was a portable bar covered with a white tablecloth. Yet the congregation persevered. Lay people led services when priests were unavailable. The spirit of Saint Dunstan a reformer himself seemed to guide their path.
Then came 1989 a year of immense progress. The church purchased a building a former Methodist church. It needed renovation but it was theirs a place to call home. Father William Sisterman became the first rector. The building itself has a history. Built in 1915 it had served as a Methodist church and later a Christian Science church. Saint Dunstan’s transformed the space creating an altar area moving the organ to a choir loft.
Even the steeple saw a rebirth. A new cross was installed in 1991 gleaming under the Christmas Eve floodlights. A bell named Elizabeth in memory of a parishioner’s wife and Saint Elizabeth was added in 1995. The Anglican Church of Saint Dunstan was flourishing. It had a vibrant Sunday school and outreach programs. The average age of parishioners dropped significantly as young families joined the fold.
Today the Anglican Church of Saint Dunstan stands as a testament to perseverance and faith. It’s a story of a small group of people who dared to hold fast to their beliefs. Their legacy continues to inspire. It reminds us that even amidst change tradition can find a way to thrive. The church continues to grow. Soon it may need a larger building. Such a happy problem to have.