Richfield Lutheran Church (ELCA)

     "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with you." 

Matthew 18:20

A lot has change since the summer of 1914.  Richfield was little more than a farming area at the time.  There were no sidewalks and no paved streets.  The old Dan Patch railroad line was in place but the streetcar ran no further south than 50th and Nicollet.

     The truck farmers who lived in the area raised garden vegetables.  Wagons and horses created a pathway from farm to market.  The little village of Richfield was starting to grow and soon there was a need to develop a new Lutheran church in the area.

     On January 04, 1915 over fifty people gathered together in worship at the old Bookwalter summer home on 58th and Clinton.  but Before too long it was evident a new church home must be found.  Thus the "new church home" was established on 58th and Wentworth.

     And as town of Richfield and the neigborhood grew, so did Richfield Lutheran Church.  As Minneapolis expanded their city limits, RLC found itself no longer in Richfield but with enough established presence in the community to retain their identifying name.

     With the church walls beyond capacity, conversation and plans were reveaed in 1954 for church expansion at the Wentworth location.  This was only a temporary fix for the rapidly growing church and on Sunday September 07, 1958 a ground breaking ceremony was held for a completely new church location on the corners of 60th Street at Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis.  The corner stone was laid in 1959 and current home of Richfield Lutheran Church was in place.

     The bold and powerful style of the welcoming Christ Window that illuminates the sanctuary is the signature of Richfield Lutheran.  the architecture embedded colored chunks of glass into concreate in a large mosiac pattern that is visable day and night from area freeways.  In addition, on the outside walls of the sanctuary are large colorful symbols that represent significant life experiences of Christian life in color and design.

     Richfield Lutheran Church continues to be a vibrant part of community life.  Currently RLC finds itself in partnership in ministry with the Community Child Care Center (4C) as well as renting space to Greater Mount Nebo Baptist Church and a Russian Pentecostal worship group.  Partnerships in ministry and community life are happening throughout the church both day and evening, as well as every Sunday morning.  Our mission outreach includes partnerships with Luther Park Bible Camp, Feed My Starving Children, Martin Luther Campus, Luther Seminary, M'bigili parish in Tanzania, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, VEAP, Meals on Wheels and many other social ministries. Please consider joining us this week for worship and service!