The congregation, originally founded by working-class German families in 1911, contemplated building a Gothic Revival church, but the Great Depression, World War II, and rising building costs caused the original design concept to be abandoned. Rev. William A. Buege learned about Scandinavian ecclesiastical design, favoring the lower construction cost and how the simplified lines conformed with liturgical practices of the modern Lutheran church. The congregation commissioned Eliel Saarinen to design the Midcentury Modern church in 1948, with Buege later reflecting that he “asked [Saarinen] if it were possible in a materialistic age like ours to do something truly spiritual. He soon showed me.” The rectilinear church was completed in 1949 using a combination of brick, stone, concrete, wood, and light to create a simple, tranquil, and spiritual space. In 1961, Eero Saarinen designed the education wing to complement his late father’s design in material and scale.

Today, Christ Church Lutheran prioritizes supporting its diverse community. The congregation has active programs in five categories: education, arts, kitchen usage, sports, and cultural awareness. Numerous groups utilize the building, including a preschool, Finnish language school, neighborhood basketball league, electricians’ union, and music and theater ensembles. Christ Church Lutheran also partners with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota to support refugees and youth facing housing insecurity.

A National Fund grant of $130,000 with over $300,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation restored the connection between the 1949 sanctuary and 1962 education wing. The courtyard had deteriorated over the past half century, causing water infiltration in the basement and damage to structural columns. To rectify these issues, the basement walls were waterproofed with membranes, and outdated drainage systems and uneven concrete pavers were removed and replaced to promote proper drainage in the courtyard and increase egress safety. Additional work replaced corroded electrical wiring, repaired structural columns, and reconstructed the courtyard’s central pool. According to the congregation, the project ultimately helped restore the original design and enhance the church as a “safe place of welcome and hospitality.”

Christ Church Lutheran by WIng Ho

Christ Church Lutheran by Wing Ho