The history of Bloomington Lutheran Church is presented below.
The history of Living Hope and the makings of our "dual-site congregation" has been documented by Pastor Dan Walters in his masters thesis which is availabe for your review by clicking here: LH History.
In past years, it was commonly the rule that Mission Stations in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod were established in sparsely pop
ulated urban or rural areas. Bloomington Lutheran was no exception. Amid dirt streets and open fields, the Synod Chose 88th Street and Nicollet Avenue as the site for a new mission. As a daughter congregation of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, and with Synod approval, a new mission was formed. In 1951 a ranch-type parsonage was built with financial assistance from the Synod's Parsonage/ teacherage fund.
This was the first place of worship, with Sunday school beginning immediately. Funds were granted from the Synod's Church Extension Fund and construction began in the fall of 1951 for the congregation's first chapel. This chapel was dedicated in 1952. In May 1952, with nine voting members and 23 communicant members, an organizational meeting was conducted. A Christian Day School begun that Fall in the Chapel basement.
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By 1955 it was apparent that a school building was needed. With Synod approval, construction began the same year. More land was purchased adjacent to the School for a playground and in 1956 the Christian Day School was dedicated.
In 1959 funds were available from the Synod to construct an addition to the parsonage, providing more office space and a larger kitchen area.
Church membership and school enrollment continued to grow and a full-time teacher/principal was called. A home was then built for the principal. In November, 1962 the growing membership necessitated three Sunday services. In 1964 a study was undertaken to consider plans for building a larger church. Additional land was purchased just south of the chapel. In March, 1966 the congregation, after meeting with the Synod, approved plans and loan requirements to begin construction of a new church. Overcoming labor strikes, bankruptcy of the general contractor and many other problems, the congregation became its own contractor. With the guidance of the Synod and the bonding company, the church building was completed and dedicated in April, 1967.
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In 1976 the congregation established a daughter congregation in Eden Prairie. Also in 1976, the congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary. In 1978 the congregation purchased five acres of land in west Bloomington to be the site of a new school, which was dedicated in 1980. The original school was sold to the Montessori organization.
In 1989 the congregation adopted a resolution for plans to expand or relocate because of increasing membership and inadequate parking. St. Patrick's Episcopal Church at 9350 Portland Avenue approached the congregation with a proposal to trade properties with additional compensation to them. After numerous meetings and a loan search, the congregation approves the proposal. The exchange was made in November, 1989 and provided Bloomington Lutheran with twice the facility size and ample parking space at our new and current Bloomington location.
In 1996 the congregation began a new mission effort in the Savage / Prior Lake / Shakopee area known as Living Hope. The new congregation church / school building was erected at the intersection of all three communities as a satellite ministry. A pre-school through 4th grade school was opened in 2002. Currently Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran Church and School is organized and functions as one congregation with three locations.
Seven pastors have served the congregation:
| Rev. John Hoenecke Rev. Del Begalka Rev. Mark Liesener Rev. Scott Spaulding Rev. Dan Schmidt Rev. Mike Borgwardt Rev. Rod Pudell | 1951 - 1969 1970 - 1974 1974 - 2004 1984 - present 1997 - 1999 2001 - 2005 2004 - present |
Youth Minister, Michael Pfeifer, was installed in 1989. He was followed by Family minister Eugene Martens, and Youth Minister Kory Henkel in 2005.
There have been two Principals of Bloomington Lutheran School:
| Gerhard Bauer Kurt Schmidt | 1961 - 1973 1972 - present |
Nine vicars have each spent a year at Bloomington Lutheran:
| Marcus Bode Jonathan Schultz Tim Meyer Don Scheuerlein Charles Huebner Mark Voss Ken Frey Tim Gauger Jonathan Zietlow | 1976 - 1977 1977 - 1978 1978 - 1979 1980 - 1981 1981 - 1982 1982 - 1983 1983 - 1984 1987 - 1988 1996 - 1997 |
Bloomington Lutheran School has had sixty one teachers in pre school through eighth grade. Nineteen of these teachers are currently teaching at Bloomington or Living Hope Lutheran School.
1317 of our active members are presently communicant members.
1812 souls are presently recorded in church files as active members.