Multicultural congregation United in Christ’s Love
St. Andrew’s Parish began with a spark of faith, vision, and missionary devotion. In 1858, the Reverend David B. Knickerbacker, then Rector of Gethsemane Parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota, saw the spiritual needs of the northern part of the city and began holding services in a schoolhouse. From those humble beginnings, a community of worship, hope, and service began to take root.
As the congregation grew, a church building was erected at Washington and Seventh Avenue North and consecrated by Bishop Whipple on September 6, 1870. Services continued under the direction of Rev. Dr. Knickerbacker until September 1875, when the name was changed to St. Andrew’s. That same year, a vestry was elected, and the parish was admitted to Convention on September 28, 1875—marking an important step in the life of the church.
In 1882, St. Andrew’s acquired a new site at the corner of Twelfth Avenue North and Sixth Street and called its first priest, the Reverend J. W. Prosser, who served until 1887. Around 1915, the church made its final move to its present location, continuing its faithful witness in the community it was called to serve.
On January 13, 1924, the church building was destroyed by fire. Yet even in the face of loss, the people of St. Andrew’s remained steadfast. The Rt. Reverend Frank A. McElwan laid the cornerstone of a new church on July 10, 1924, and the congregation moved into the present building on November 20 of that same year—a lasting testimony to faith, resilience, and God’s provision.
St. Andrew’s continued to flourish for many years before entering a challenging season in the mid-1980s. During the lean years that followed, the Reverend Donald O. Nesheim served faithfully on a half-time basis from June 1992 to June 1994 as Special Priest-in-Charge. In June 1994, he was called as Rector, helping guide the parish through a season of renewal and renewed hope.
In time, St. Andrew’s began to grow again as immigrants from Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia, Nigeria, and other nations found not only a church, but a spiritual home. As they shared the welcome, they had received, other Episcopalians were drawn into the life of the parish. In 2004, the Reverend James N. Wilson II became Rector and served until 2006. He was followed by Fr. Edward Burnett (deceased) and Fr. Roger Sonnesyn, who served until February 2013.
St. Andrew’s continues to grow and move forward in faith under the leadership and pastoral care of our young, energetic, and devoted priest, Fr. John W. Mitchell.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church joyfully shares in our Lord’s mission to seek and save the lost. We are a diverse, family-oriented parish where people from many backgrounds gather as one body in Christ, united by worship, fellowship, service, and a deep appreciation for the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Our parish family includes members from Africa—including Uganda, Liberia, Cameroon, and Nigeria—as well as Antigua, Britain, and the United States. This rich cultural heritage is one of St. Andrew’s great blessings. It strengthens our witness, deepens our compassion, and inspires our commitment to minister to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40) with humility, love, and faith born from personal experience with a real and saving Lord.
We seek to share the love of Jesus Christ throughout North Minneapolis and the surrounding communities. Through prayer, worship, service, and daily witness, our parishioners are encouraged to live out their faith with compassion, courage, and joy.
Our young adults and youth are a vital part of the life and future of St. Andrew’s. They actively participate in worship, diocesan retreats, and community events, bringing energy, creativity, and hope to our parish family. We are also in the process of establishing Sunday School as part of our continued commitment to nurturing faith in the next generation.