Look for plenty of festivities in the coming months at Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran, 1460 W. Almond Ave. Known as “the church with the State Fair parking, Mount Olive will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021.
Look for plenty of festivities in the coming months at Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran, 1460 W. Almond Ave. Known as “the church with the State Fair parking, Mount Olive will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021.
The 100-member church planned to kick off its centennial celebration early with a tacos and free t-shirts outdoor event in its parking lot on Friday evening, Oct. 23. Organizers preached social distancing and asked participants to wear masks. There was also to be a coat drive to benefit Mental Health Resources in St. Paul.
Officially incorporated on May 1, 1921, the church’s first building was located at Gordon and Scudder Streets and began with 14 founding members. The first pastor, Christian Koch, served from 1920 to 1963. The church’s current pastor, Al Schleusener, has served the congregation since 2009.
Rachel Balge, a Mount Olive parishioner and a member of the church communications team, said, “We are planning events that center around our 100-year celebration theme: Wonderfully Made. Our church has many creative talents that will be utilized in many ways, such as take-home art kits, cooking classes and more. As our church adapts and plans—with safety measures at the forefront—some events are still being determined and modified.”
