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Osseo United Methodist Church 1922
 Osseo
occupies a part of the level prairie known as the Bottineau
Prairie, so called from Pierre Bottineau, who in July 1852 made
his claim here. What Bottineau and his companions saw that day
was a beautiful prairie, edged by dense woods. “This is
paradise!” he said, and the settlement later was called
Paradise. The town grew and in 1856 it was renamed Osseo. It
is said that Osseo is an Indian name, “Waseia”, meaning “there
is light”, although more commonly known as “son of the evening
star”.
The village of Osseo was platted in 1856 by Warren Sampson and
Isaac Labosiniere. Soon after, another village was laid out by
A. B. Chaffee adjoining Osseo on the southeast called “City of
Attraction.” This is now included in the limits of Osseo.
Osseo remained under the township governments of Brooklyn Park
and Maple Grove until the spring of 1875 when it was
incorporated.
After many unsuccessful attempts to establish a Sunday school in
Osseo, one was finally organized on September 15, 1912 by Rev,
McCaslin. Meetings were first held in homes. When attendance
became too large they were then held in the Masonic Hall on
Central Avenue. Attendance in the new Sunday school grew. The
need for a church was soon recognized.
During all of these years there had been no organization of the
church. The services had been in charge of a church
organization of the Sunday school. After the decision to build
a church was made, it was deemed necessary to perfect a
permanent church organization. The following Sunday this was
carefully discussed and by a vote of twenty-four to four it was
decided to organized a community church under the auspices of
the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
On May 2, 1922 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dexter, under
the leadership of Dr. Kester, District Superintendent, this
organization was perfected. The contract for the building was
let to Mr. McHeil of Elk River, Minnesota for sixty-four hundred
and fifty dollars ($6450.00). Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Spence
donated the land for the building. Ground was broken on May 26,
1922, and the church, located at Broadway and Second Avenue SE
was dedicated on Nov 5, 1922. The pulpit Bible was presented by
the Minnesota Bible Society and the flag was presented by the
Longfellow family of Brooklyn Center. Rev. Henry J. Soltau
presided at the dedication service with Bishop Charles Bayard
Mitchell giving the morning address and the Rev. John Walker the
evening address.
Church enrollment continued to increase, thus it became
necessary to enlarge the building. On Sept 23, 1956, the corner
stone of the new building was laid. Rev. Ralph High became the
pastor in 1960 and the new church was dedicated on January 8,
1961. Bishop Otto Hall and Rev. Paul J. Snyder, District
Superintendent were in attendance.
As we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, the
church should become an even greater witness for God in the
community.
Source: History of Osseo United Methodist Church published
11/23/1997 |
