Elmwood Church has a rich history of gospel ministry in the Twin Cities. The congregation began with a small group of Scandinavians in northeast Minneapolis, and by December of 1924, this group became a recognized Lutheran assembly. After a number of years the congregation moved to a small church on the corner of 26th and McKinley Street N.E.
Elmwood saw spiritual revival — there were all-night prayer meetings and multiple people feeling led to go into full-time missions work. In 1965, the property on McKinley was sold and a new church was built on Chelmsford Road in St. Anthony Village. It was dedicated in November of the same year. During the 1980’s, the congregation outgrew the space and built an addition with a new larger sanctuary. In 1994, Elmwood joined the Evangelical Free Church of America.
In the most recent chapter of Elmwood’s history, members from Park Community Church and Centennial Church came together with the remaining members of Elmwood, asking God to see the ministry of Elmwood revitalized. On October 28, 2018, the members of Elmwood voted unanimously to implement the revitalization plan, which included the calling of Pastor John (Lead Pastor) and Pastor Matt (Pastor of Equipping and Community Development). Pastor Fred Thoni stayed on staff to help lead Elmwood through the season of revitalization and was then sent out into a new season of ministry in February of 2020. In the fall of 2022, Pastor Matt was sent out to plant Grafted Community in the Western suburbs of the Twin Cities. John Stromberg continues to serve as the Lead Pastor.
Through every season of ministry, our mission remains the same — we are a multigenerational church family inviting all people into the life-giving way of Jesus.