History of Salem Church

Salem is one of the earliest Methodist churches in Minnesota. Salem Church started in September 1854, with itinerant pastor, Gustav Zollman, conducting services spoken in German in one or two-room log cabin homes of the parishioners. In 1855, Sunday school was organized. In 1858, five acres of land was purchased with enough property for the church building, a parsonage, land for the cemetery and the adjoining picnic area. The picnic area was used as a campground and for revival meetings. The original log church building built in 1858 was 22’ x 32’.

The names of the first members of Salem Church are Henry Blase, John Busch, Wilhelm Dickmann, Henry Gross, William Korfhage, Richard Morrill, John and William Rolfing. Later members included these families: Gackstetter, Hartnagle, Goppelt, Klein, Kleinschmidt, Kromschroeder, Kurrelmeier, Kurth, Schmidt, Schulte, Sievert, Stutsmann, Thoele, and Zehnder. Some descendants still live in Inver Grove Heights and continue to worship at Salem Church.

Salem’s 20 members constructed the historical sanctuary, now called the Heritage Chapel, in 1868 at a cost of $4,000. The sanctuary consisted of plain windows, straight benches, a pump organ, kerosene lamps and two wood burning stoves for heat. That same year a parsonage was built next to the church building. In 1872, the tall steeple was added. A bell tower was installed in 1881. In 1909, the basement beneath the Heritage Chapel was dug out using horses and “slushers” to make room for the growing Sunday school. In 1915, the worship service language changed from German to English. Stained glass windows, curved wooden pews and hardwood floors were installed in 1916. In 1958, construction of additional Sunday school classrooms, a kitchen, and fellowship area was completed. In 1964, a second addition consisting of more classrooms and office space was finished. The Heritage Chapel served as the sanctuary for the people of Salem United Methodist Church for 126 years. Today, the Heritage Chapel is used for Sunday school openings, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve services, and small weddings.

The present Worship Center was built in 1994, the Heritage Chapel was remodeled and redecorated. Worship style changed to a more contemporary format and is led by a Praise Team. Major landscaping work was done and a lighted sign was added in 2002. In 2003, a stained glass window representing Jesus and the children was installed in the Worship Center. Ministry is increasing with ongoing involvement in the Neighbors Food Shelf, Operation Christmas Child and STORM Camp.