One church needs to close for renovations. Another church wants to rent its space. For the next several months, Robbinsdale is going to have a few extra Christians from Golden Valley.
Rev. Pat Williamson, senior minister at Unity Minneapolis in Golden Valley said although the church strives to be an “opening, welcoming, inclusive community,” their building is not accessible for people who use wheelchairs. That is changing with an extensive remodel. Per a previous report by the Sun Post, the church got approval from the city to rezone the land to accommodate the change.
Gene Montanez is a former member at Unity Minneapolis and a current member at Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ. When he read about the remodel in the Sun Post, Montanez realized people at Unity Minneapolis will need somewhere to go while their building is under construction. He reached out to his former congregation right away.
“I said ‘hey, if you’re looking for a place, give us a call,’” Montanez recounted to the Sun Post.
So after some discussions with the Unity Church’s board and RPUCC’s council, a rental contract was signed. Moving forward, RPUCC will have a 9:15 a.m. Sunday service and Unity Church will have one at 11:30 a.m. In several months, when renovations are complete, Unity Minneapolis will reopen.
“They’re helping us out, we’re helping them out, so that’s really a great thing,” Williamson said. “We have some similar values, which is great. Even though our philosophy and theology is slightly different.”
Williamson added that it is “lovely” to be in a space that is fully accessible.
According to comments Montanez and John Pettingill, a member of Unity Church, Unity Church tends to be more metaphysical while RPUCC puts a greater focus on community outreach. RPUCC is a congregational church, meaning they hold meetings similar to public hearings when bigger decisions need to be made. Unity Church has a board of trustees and an annual meeting for registered members. Both churches have committees and senior ministers and both organizations revisit the same stories about Jesus.
“The basic is that we believe that prayer is really what pulls us together. It’s the glue,” Montanez said.
The two churches held a unique celebration to begin their partnership.
Maundy Thursday — sometimes called Holy Thursday — is the day Christians celebrate Jesus holding the Last Supper, teaching his followers about communion, washing their feet and foreshadowing his death.
Usually, each church has a separate Maundy Thursday and a Good Friday service. But on March 28, everything was combined. Williamson and Itzin took turns leading a service that recognized both holy days.
“I think we appreciate each other’s perspectives, and we’re very interested,” Rev. Kathy Itzin, lead minister at RPUCC said. “And I think our congregations are very interested. ... That way, we really get a better sense of how the other does things and some of their beliefs as well.”
Prior to the service, people gathered for a meal. The churches expected about 125 people, but at least 157 joined for the dinner. The two communities were excited to learn from each other.
“The vibe here is very warm,” Pettingill said. “I always tend to trust my vibe when I go into an area.”
More people showed up for the service. Music teams took turns. Itzin wore a robe. Williamson wore a stole.
History of working with others
According to RPUCC, the Congregational Church of Robbinsdale began in 1889 on the lot where Pilgrim Cleaners is today. The church started one of the first Bible studies for women in 1912. It took the name Robbinsdale United Church of Christ in 1987.
Meanwhile, Pilgrim Congregational Church, St. John’s Evangelical Church, Forest Heights Congregational Church, and Silver Lake Congregational Church all started at the end of the 19th century. Silver Lake changed its name to Fremont. Forest Heights and Pilgrim combined into Pilgrim Heights Congregational Church. In 1966, Fremont and Pilgrim Heights became Parkway United Church of Christ. St. John’s Evangelical Church folded into Parkway in 1973.
The Robbinsdale United Church of Christ and Parkway United Church of Christ combined in 2019 to become the Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ.
Today, RPUCC rents space to congregations Jesus Is The Way Ministries International and Church Without Walls International Ministries as well as Unity Minneapolis.
RPUCC hosts an assortment of events such as Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, yoga, blood drives, martial arts classes and music lessons. A small library holds books about feminist theology, anti-racism and church history. The congregation aspires to have their kitchen commercially certified so they can do more food-related outreach.
Learn more about the renovation project in Golden Valley at unityminneapolis.org/building-renovation. Learn more about Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ at rpucc.org.
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