Wooddale Lutheran Church - A Decision for Hope

Summer, 1928 – Reverend Dwight Shelhart, field missionary with the ULC, Wooddale's 1st pastor, looks at St. Louis Park as a possible community to start a new Lutheran church.
August, 1929 – First church council is elected. House at 4258 Mackey Ave. (now Utica) rented for $27.50 a month.
September 9, 1929 – First services held with 32 adults and 22 children in attendance.
October 29, 1929 - Stock Market Crashes.
December 1, 1929 – 47 adults make a Decision for Hope and sign the charter creating “Wooddale Evangelical Lutheran Church” and join the Synod of the Northwest of the ULC.
April 13, 1930 - Palm Sunday – Wooddale moves services to auditorium in Brookside School where services were held for 7 years because of the financial hardships of the Depression.
May 2, 1930 – Two lots were purchased on the corner of 40th and Wooddale Ave.
Spring, 1931 – Pastor Dorrance Jensen, a senior seminarian at Northwestern Seminary is called as Wooddale's 2nd pastor. He was installed June 1, 1931. Membership then was 110, with 102 in the Sunday School. Pastor Jensen served Wooddale 6 ½ years until November 1, 1937.
1934 – Nan Lindahl (Hutchinson) serves as a missionary to India until 1939.
November 14, 1937 – Dedication of Wooddale’s first church building, completed at a cost of $6,000.00.
January 1938 – Reverend H. J. Motz-kus from Montevideo called to be Wooddale's 3rd pastor. He served for 9 years until February 1, 1949.
October 1939 – Basement dug, providing space for the kitchen and restrooms.
1945 – Fifth and last available lot on Wooddale Avenue purchased.
November 10, 1946 – Quonset hut (used for Sunday School) dedicated.
October 15, 1949 – Reverend Paul F. Obenauf comes from Ohio as Wooddale's 4th pastor.
Lent, 1953 – Fundraising campaign begins for new church building. There are 800 adults and 500 Sunday School students.
November, 1955 – Ground broken for the new Parish Education Building. Worship services and Sunday school are held at the St. Louis Park Theater on Minnetonka Blvd.
August, 1956 – Wooddale moved into Parish Education Building. This building was dedicated on May 11, 1958. Worship services are held in Upper Fellowship Hall.
April 12, 1964 – Ground broken for new sanctuary. Dedication is a year later, April 25, 1965.
December, 1971 – Pastor Obenauf retires after almost 22 years as Wooddale’s pastor and is honored with the title “pastor emeritus.”
October, 1972 – Pastor James Martin becomes Wooddale’s 5th pastor. Pastor Martin served Wooddale for almost 9 years until 1981.
November 27, 1974 - First Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve worship service held with Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic church. (Held at Most Holy Trinity)
January, 1982 – Pastor Timothy Rauk comes to Wooddale as its 6th pastor.
1982 – First production of Wooddale’s Key and Kingdom Theater.
November, 1989 – Kari Anderson Osmek comes to Wooddale.
January, 1990 – Dedication of the centrum.
1991 – Dedication of the pipe organ. For picture of and details on Wooddale's pipe organ, go to www.tcago.org; Click on "Organs"; then "TCOAGO Organ Databases"; then "browse"; then go to page 19 and click on the icon just to the left of Wooddale Lutheran Church.
1996 – Carol Fiedler begins Wooddale’s Parish Nurse program.
1996 – Dedication of Elevator to Upper Fellowship Hall.
1998 – House adjacent to church is purchased to enlarge parking lot.
2001 – Tom Griffiths retires as choir director after serving 30 years.
September 2005 - Wooddale Community Nursery School begins operations.
September 2007 - Carol Fiedler retires as Wooddale's Parish Nurse.

History of Wooddale Lutheran Church

On a sunny summer day in 1928, Reverend Dwight Shelhart, Synod’s field missionary, took a trek out into a remote settlement west of Minneapolis, known as St. Louis Park, to determine the church needs of the community. Pastor Shelhart specialized in starting new churches. There are churches across Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota that list Dwight Shelhart as their mission developer.

Although homes in St. Louis Park were few and far between, a goodly number of families were found by Pastor Shelhart who desired their own church. The time had come for action. Plans were developed that fall and winter to begin a serious canvass of this area the following spring, the first step in forming a nucleus of the congregation that was soon to be called “Wooddale.”

In August of 1929, before the church was incorporated, a group of people gathered in the home of George Stanley to elect the nine men to the first church council of the planned new congregation. Their first official act was to rent a tiny three room house at 4258 Mackey Ave. (now Utica) for $27.50 a month. This building served as a chapel for the first seven months. The doors were opened for the first service on September 9, 1929, with 32 attending church, while 22 youngsters formed the Sunday School.

These were enthusiastic folks, who spread the word to many others. In less than 3 months the group had more than doubled; and on December 1, 1929, 47 adults joined together to be officially recognized as Wooddale Evangelical Lutheran Church. On January 3rd, 1930, the Articles of Incorporation were drawn up, and on January 14th, this document was officially registered with the Hennepin County Registrar of Deeds. During this procedure, a typographical error spelled “Woodale” with only one “d,” which passed unnoticed until it was too late to change. The legal work and additional cost to correct the error outweighed its importance. This error was finally corrected in 1989 in order to obtain a new mortgage to complete the building of the “centrum.”

The congregation continued its healthy growth until the little house bulged beyond endurance. On Palm Sunday, April 13, 1930, arrangements were made to move to the “little” auditorium in Brookside School. A schedule of Services had to be arranged in order not to conflict with St. Luke’s (Missouri Synod) who were also without a home building, and were already using the larger room of the same school.

On May 2, 1930, 2 lots were purchased on the corner of 40th and Wooddale Ave. where the church would some day be built. On June 16, 1930, Wooddale joined the Synod of the Northwest at the annual convention held that year in Red Wing. Church membership by this time was 82, with 103 in the Sunday School.

Through these formative months, Reverend Shelhart guided the development of the congregation as its mission developer. By the spring of 1931, however, the Synod felt Wooddale had sufficiently grown to have its own pastor. Dorrance Jensen, son of J. K. Jensen, former Synod treasurer, was a promising young Senior at Northwestern Seminary at that time, and was called by Wooddale while he was still in school. Upon graduation, he assumed his new duties, being installed June 1, 1931. Membership then was 110, with 102 in the Sunday School.

The growth of Wooddale was not to be blessed for long however with the peace and success enjoyed in its beginning. The idea of forming a church in this community was born in a period of unparalleled prosperity, prior to the fateful stock market crash of 1929. The impact of that crash had not been immediately felt, but by 1932-33 the depression was at its depths. As though this were not enough, the great drought, with the accompanying dust storms of the West and Southwest followed. Money was scarce, jobs were few, hardship was everywhere. And of course, the young Wooddale Lutheran Church suffered along with its members. With everyone feeling the financial plight of the times, the future of the new church, at times, seemed at doubt. Many a month went by when neither the congregation nor the Pastor knew whether or not there would be another payday. Such was the introduction to the ministry received by the newly ordained Pastor Jensen. He worked hard to keep the church on course. The use of Brookside School had been intended only as a temporary measure, but of course, such adverse conditions made moving impossible. At the same time, use of a school building did very little toward inspiring the congregation.

In 1934 Nan Lindahl (Hutchinson) answered a missionary call to India, serving until 1939. These were trying years for the young congregation, and Nan’s ministry adventure was the spark that did much to inspire Wooddale to remain faithful to its calling.

By 1937, the depression had faded, and the determination for better things was returning. It was apparent to the tiny congregation that Wooddale could not grow without a church in which to worship. Many meetings were held and plans began to formulate towards finally building it’s own building.

On November 1, 1937, Reverend Jensen answered a call to a parish in North Dakota. He served as Wooddale’s pastor for almost 6 ½ years.

With the help of Synod missionary funds, finances were arranged and plans were put into action. Reverend Dressler was called for the cornerstone laying on November 14, 1937, for the new building. This was an ambitions program for so few members when time and money were extremely limited. It was decided that construction would consist of only essentials: a place to hold worship services.

And so it was. The first home for Wooddale Lutheran Church consisted of the sanctuary building, a small hole in the ground for the furnace, no basement, no pews. The entrance was merely a hall, with rest rooms on one side and a small kitchen on the other. Room was made for social gatherings by pushing aside the wooden folding chairs that served as pews. The altar, candelabrum, stained windows, hymn books were among the many Special Gifts presented by members. The building was completed at a cost of $6,000.00.

Wooddale was now fired with enthusiasm and with the obvious need for a pastor. Reverend H. J. Motz-kus from Montevideo, was called in January 1938. Although he was not to be officially installed until March 20, 1938, he was invited to preach on the Sunday set aside for dedication of the new Church, on February 6th. Membership by then had leveled off at 65, with 35 in the Sunday School. Pastor Motz-kus provided strong leadership. He convinced the congregation that in spite of its financial plight, a church without a basement was poor economy, so in October 1939, the Church was raised and a basement dug, providing space for the kitchen and rest rooms that were still in the front vestibule. Pews were also obtained at this time.

The following year 1940, saw the purchase of the first lots on 40th Street and the erection of the parsonage. In 1941, 2 more lots on Wooddale Ave. were purchased. This made Wooddale proud owner of 5 lots. In 1942, the congregation has grown to 186, the Sunday school to 240, and had literally overflowed the building that was still very new. So an “overflow” addition was built, almost entirely by the members themselves. And then in 1942, the last of the loan by the Home Mission Board to Wooddale was paid, and the congregation for the first time became completely self-supporting.

The plans of many were changed by World War. 45 men and 2 women from the ranks of Wooddale answered their country’s call. By God’s grace all returned except Walter Lee, whose loss was keenly felt by all Wooddale. The lectern in the prayer chapel was dedicated as a memorial to this faithful young man. Members purchased war bonds in the amount of $1400.00 to be used as a fund toward a new Church in honor of these 47 men and women. It was an odd coincidence that 47 was the exact number of charter members who pioneered our Church in 1929.

In 1945, the fifth and last available lot on Wooddale Avenue was added to the Church property.

While the membership was mushrooming, it was now 388, the Sunday School enrollment was also breaking all records. Classes were being held in every conceivable nook and cranny, even to the parsonage basement. The end of the war made several portable buildings available that had been used for various military purposes. One of these buildings, located near Savage, was purchased in 1946 for $3000.00. It was literally sawed in half and trucked to its present location alongside the church building. $9500.00 was added to this cost for moving and necessary remodeling to prepare the structure for its new use as a parish hall and Sunday School building. A special dedication service was held on November 10, 1946.

In 1947, two lots were purchased east of the parsonage for a future parking lot and playground.

The following year, the Church’s reed organ began showing serious signs of giving up after a long and full life. The choir spearheaded a drive that resulted in the purchase of a Hammond electric organ, giving new life to their musical efforts. The same year will be remembered for an outstanding remodeling and refurnishing of the kitchen sponsored by the women of the church.

On February 1, 1949, Pastor Motz-kus received a call as a Field Missionary to Montana. He served Wooddale for 9 years.

On October 15, 1949 Reverend Paul F. Obenauf came to Wooddale from East Liverpool, Ohio. He was officially installed December 18, 1949 in a congregation of 536. Sunday School enrollment was 345. Pastor Obenauf brought with him a renewed spirit of life and vitality. The Lenten Season of 1953 saw the birth of an all-out fundraising campaign for the erection of a new modern church building. Through faith, prayer and sacrificial giving, $120,000 was pledged. The very first contribution of $500.00 came from the Sunday School on Palm Sunday in 1952. The third lot east of the parsonage was purchased in 1954. This completed the land acquisition program, completing a tract, nearly square, of about 2 acres, in an ideal location, reflecting the wisdom and foresight of those first members in their early choice. The role now lists 800 adults and 500 Sunday School students.

In November of 1955, ground was broken for the new Parish Education Building. During construction, worship services and Sunday school were held at the St. Louis Park Theater on Minnetonka Blvd. In August of 1956, Wooddale moved into the very basic Parish Education Building. Marie Hartmann was the Junior Choir director at that time. Services were held in the Upper Fellowship Hall with seating for 460 on folding chairs. Two worship services and two sessions of Sunday school were necessary to serve our congregation of 2101. This building was dedicated on May 11, 1958.

The original plan always provided for the building of a sanctuary and on April 12, 1964 ground was broken for this new “Venture of Faith.” Our current sanctuary was dedicated on April 25, 1965. Among the staff members to serve Wooddale at this time was the first Youth and Parish Education Director, Nadene Martinson (Balkus).

Pastor Obenauf faithful shepherded Wooddale for almost 22 years. Her retired in December of 1971 and was honored by the congregation with the title, “pastor emeritus.”

In October of 1972, Pastor James Martin became the fifth pastor to serve Wooddale. During his ministry, Wooddale continued to find important ways to give expression to its faith by faithfully serving the community through Dinner at your Door, STEP, A.A. and other outreach and service programs, as well as initiating Wooddale’s commitment to having a fulltime youth director. Marty Stanley served as Wooddale’s youth director in the early 80s. Pastor Martin served Wooddale for almost 9 years until 1981.

In January of 1982, Pastor Timothy Rauk came to Wooddale. These past two decades of ministry have seen Wooddale continue to build on the strong foundation of its past. Music continues to be a strong focus under the able leadership of many people, but of special note is the contribution of Tom Griffiths who served as Wooddale’s senior choir director for about 30 years. Wooddale’s commitment to youth continues to be strong. Sue Hulsether, Sue Dieter, and Kari Osmek, Chad Kohlmeyer, and Sonia Lipker have served as Youth directors during these past two decades with Kari now marking her 15th year at Wooddale. During these decades, Marjorie Buending and Karen Tharp have served ably as parish secretaries and organists Solveig Englund, Linda Jarvis and Gerry Steen have given us consistently great music.

Loaves and Fishes, Habitat for Humanity, Dinner At Your Door, STEP, Magic Attic, and Reach Home are just a few of the outreach projects that continue to have strong support. And a number of projects have very positively enhanced our church building. In 1990 the “Centrum” was dedicated, adding much needed fellowship and gathering space. At this time, the church also received a general sprucing up with paint and carpeting being added throughout the building. A wonderful pipe organ was dedicated in 1996 and continues to be an ongoing project that found a wonderful home in our acoustically alive sanctuary. Handicap accessibility is also a concern that was addressed with the remodeling of the rest rooms, re-landscaping the courtyard, and the addition of an elevator to the upper fellowship hall. The Key and Kingdom Theater has been one of the hallmarks of Wooddale’s identity in the community. “Our Town”, “Ahmahl and the Night Visitors”, “Godspell”, “Inherit the Wind”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Fiddler On the Roof” are some of the productions done by Wooddale members with community involvement welcomed.

The faithful witness of literally thousands of people resonate from the walls and the history of Wooddale Lutheran Church. The future will bring new challenges and opportunities for ministry that could not have been imagined by that group of 47 adults that gathered 75 years ago in that small house at 4258 Utica Ave.

A number of Wooddale people have gone into the ministry. Terry Hoiskens, Dave Berggren, Mark Borsma, Tim Fuzzey, and Peter Meyers.