NORTH SITE/WESTWOOD/ASCENSION CHURCHES

As provided by Ascension:

The history of Ascension Lutheran Congregation is interesting and varied. At different times, the ministry that ultimately became Ascension was known as the North Side Sunday School Union, the North Side Community Church, the North Side Lutheran Church, and Westwood Lutheran Church.

North Side Sunday School Union

Ascension's earliest roots was a Sunday School organization of the American Sunday School Union. It was organized by a Reverend Staph in 1920. Occasional worship services were also held with student pastors furnished by the American Sunday School Union. The Reverends Harvey Hill and Ferris were available for special services, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

In 1926 the North Side Union Ladies Aid was formally organized and it was they who voted to hold worship services following Sunday School at the old Eliot School. The ladies worked diligently to raise funds, including hosting suppers, socials, teas, luncheons, and banquets. The ladies sold a variety of things including jello, pudding, magazines, rummage, quilts, baked & paper goods. Their fund raising activities also included a state fair stand and a quilt raffle. This Sunday school and worship ministry would not die as long as the North Side Union Ladies Aid was alive.

North Side Community Church

Their diligence paid off. On November 17, 1934, the Rev. Morris Eresz began his ministry as the first pastor of this North Side Community Church. Rev. Eresz was a retired Methodist minister who gave five faithful years to the congregation. On November 9, 1936, the Ladies Aid bought three lots in the Richmond Third Addition for $350.00. This was the site of the church from 1938 to 1947.

Other pastors to serve North Side Community Church were Rev. R.W. Owens, who served from November 1939 until June 1940, Rev. Milton C. Wolters (a Baptist pastor, who served from until February 1943, and Rev. A.T. Nelson, who served just a few months in 1943 until poor health prevented him from continuing.

At that point, a survey of the congregation and community was taken to determine the denominational preference of the area. The Lutheran denomination "won" the survey with a whopping 36, and 118 prospective families for membership.

North Side Lutheran Church

Pastor A.C. Lehman was installed as the first Lutheran pastor in July of 1944. Upon completion of a course of instruction for current members of North Side Community Church and for a number of new members, North Side Community Church became North Side Lutheran Church on July 16, 1944.

The church grew and by the end of 1946 the Sunday School registration included more than 150 children! This number severely taxed the available facilities, and plans were made for a new building.

Westwood Lutheran Church

In March 1947, North Side Lutheran Church changed its name to Westwood Lutheran Church. The new name was followed quickly by a new building at 6719 Cedar Lake Road. Ground breaking ceremonies were held following worship on October 5, 1947 at the present site of Ascension. (Previously, we were located across Cedar Lake Road by the present Eliot School site.) By December 21, 1947, the building was complete enough to hold its first worship service. The children's Christmas program was held that same evening. A festive dedication service was held on Palm Sunday, March 21, 1948. There were now 250 members, and 159 in Sunday School.

From 1948 to 1958, Norman L. Nielsen served as Senior Pastor. During his 10 year ministry, the church grew from 200 to nearly 4,000 members, becoming the largest Protestant congregation in suburban Minneapolis. In recognition of his leadership in church and community affairs, Time Magazine selected him, in 1953, as one of the "100 Outstanding Young Men" of his city.  In 1958 he became Vice President of Augsburg College in charge of Development.

Westwood Lutheran Church continued to grow, and soon outgrew its facility. In 1955, Westwood built a new building further west at 9001 Cedar Lake Road, and the building known as Ascension went silent.

Ascension Lutheran Church

To prevent members from leaving Westwood, the Ascension building was not allowed to be reopened for a full year. But a congregation to serve this neighborhood would not be denied. And on September 1, 1956, the building reopened as Ascension Lutheran Church under the auspices of the Home Mission Board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Reverend Orin D. Thompson was the mission pastor.

Ascension's first worship service was held on October 7, 1956 and the first Sunday School was held on October 14. 1956. The official organization was January 4, 1957 with 200 charter members, 105 confirmed and 95 baptized. Former pastors of Ascension include: Pastor Orin D. Thompson (1957-1960), Pastor Everett Tande (1961-1973), Pastor C. David Satre (1974-1980), Pastor James Pollard (1981-1984), Pastor Keith Rediske (1984-1989), Pastor Dennis Speetzen (1990-1995). Pastor Wesley Syverson began service in August, 1996.

This history was inherited from a previous directory and edited. If any reader has more information, or would like to research more information, please contact the pastor.

6719 Cedar Lake Road

Groundbreaking of Westwood Lutheran Church at 9001 Cedar Lake Road
Photo courtesy Al Hartman

Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road

Notes on Westwood Lutheran Church:  in May 1955, a $365,000 building at 9001 Cedar Lake Road was dedicated.  The gym was used until a sanctuary could be built.  An educational unit was built with 20 classrooms.  The church sat on a 20-acre site with a small lake.  In October 1963, a $600,000 addition was dedicated and the church had 3,800 members.  See also the web site of Westwood Lutheran Church.

In 2009, Ascension Lutheran Church merged with First Lutheran Church to form the new Spirit of Christ Community Lutheran Church.  The new church is located at the First Lutheran site, 5801 Minnetonka Blvd.  See the web site of First Lutheran. 

In July 2009, the building at 6719 Cedar Lake Road became the home of Emmaus Road Church.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.