The Oldest Church In Minnesota Dates Back To The 1800s And You Need To See It

By now we’ve established that, though Minnesota has only been a state since 1858, its history extends much further back. We have ruins, restaurants, and more that date back to well before the Land of 10,000 Lakes joined the union. Let’s add another item to the list: Minnesota’s oldest church dates back to 18 years before statehood! Read on to learn about St. Peter’s Church in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

St. Peter’s church is located in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, about 15 miles southeast of Minneapolis. The church is located at 1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy., St. Paul, MN 55150.

The church dates back to 1840. It was built almost two decades before Minnesota became an official part of the United States.

In its early days, St. Peter's was a log church that served the hundred or so settlers who had made homes in the area.

On April 20, 1840, Father Lucien Galtier set out for Minnesota. The young priest began a small chapel from his bedroom at the home of a government official called Scott Campbell.

The next year, a small log chapel was built in its place. Newly arrived settlers were among the first congregants. Later versions of the chapel were destroyed until, in 1842, the current church was built.

From the outside, the church’s history is evident. The bricks date back more than 150 years. The tall steeple helps the church stand tall over Mendota Heights.

Inside, the church is simple yet beautiful. A wooden ceiling and plenty of lights give it an airy feel.

All in all, this historic church is well worth visiting for its long history in Minnesota.

For more information about St. Peter’s Catholic Church and its history, look at its website and Facebook page. And to read about another historic church in Minnesota, read about St. Mary’s Basilica, the first basilica in the United States.