From humble beginnings the Wayzata Free Church stands as a testament to faith. It all started in 1951 with a Bible study. Rose Fadden and Elvera Anderson saw a spiritual need in Wayzata. Their small group blossomed. Soon the Wayzata Bible Class was formed. This evolved into the Wayzata Christian Fellowship. The name changed again. It became the Wayzata Evangelical Free Church.
Pastor Richard Beals was the first full-time pastor. He served from 1953 to 1955. The church experienced significant growth under Pastor Paul Berggren. He led the congregation from 1955 to 1963. This growth led to the construction of the first building. This building still exists today. It serves as the Fellowship Hall and Main Office. Pastor Al Bishop oversaw its construction. He served from 1964 to 1966.
The need for expansion continued. Pastor Don Childs served from 1966 to 1977. During his tenure the church needed an education wing. Pastor John Vawter oversaw this expansion. He also oversaw the construction of the current sanctuary in 1984. Church records describe overflowing nurseries and packed classrooms. The sanctuary was always crowded. The parking lot was full. This shows the church’s immense popularity.
Pastor George Kenworthy led the congregation from 1993 to 2008. The church continued to grow under his leadership. In 2017 a major renovation took place. The sanctuary was remodeled. A multi-purpose gym was added. This allowed the church to serve the community in new ways. In 2022 the Wayzata Free Church changed its name. It became Westgate Church. This reflects the church’s desire to reach out to the wider community. The church continues to thrive today. It remains a place of faith community and service. It is a vibrant part of the West Metro area. The story of the Wayzata Free Church is a story of growth adaptation and unwavering faith. It continues to serve a community that keeps growing.