Elim Lutheran Church ELCA

In the heart of a small Minnesota town, a tale of faith and resilience unfolds. Elim Lutheran Church ELCA in Robbinsdale stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a community. In 1922, Robbinsdale was a modest community of about 1,000 souls, with limited cultural attractions and only two churches. Yet, amidst this simplicity, a group of Scandinavian families yearned for a Lutheran church where their children could learn the tenets of their faith. Their dream began to take shape when Rev. J. G. Hultkranz baptized Carl Mattson in 1921. The following year, Dr. P. A. Mattson met with interested residents, and the seeds of Elim Lutheran Church ELCA were sown. The women, eager to establish a presence, formed a Ladies’ Aid, which became a pillar of the congregation. On September 1, 1922, around eighty people gathered at the Landahl home on Wheeler Avenue, and Elim Lutheran Church of Robbinsdale was officially born. For two years, the congregation worshipped in the Robbinsdale City Hall. In 1924, they purchased two lots at 40th and West Broadway, with the agreement that a church would always grace that corner. The construction of their first church, a $12,000 endeavor, was a significant undertaking for the small congregation. By 1945, Elim Lutheran Church ELCA had grown to 300 members, necessitating a new sanctuary in 1950. The old church was sold to the Brunswick Methodist congregation, and the two congregations shared the space during construction. The new sanctuary was dedicated on October 28, 1951, with a seating capacity of 440, plus 75 in the balcony. Elim Lutheran Church ELCA, a place of “rest” according to its name, became a symbol of the community’s unwavering faith and dedication.