Following a time of faithful discernment, St. Croix United Church was born out of an October 2023 merger of People's Congregational Church (Bayport) and St. Peter's United Church of Christ (Stillwater). We are dually affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC). Learn about our values, history and affiliations below.
Our Congregation's History
Roots in People’s Congregational Church
In 1879 when Bayport was known as South Stillwater, a small clapboard church called Union Church was erected and opened to anyone who wanted to worship, regardless of denomination. People would come, there would be rotating pastors and by 1916 enough people were coming regularly that they wanted to name themselves and affiliate with a denomination.
The decision was made to associate with the Congregational Society, and after a vote the church became incorporated under the name of People’s Congregational Church. The group chose Congregationalism, born out of the tradition of the Pilgrims. Congregational churches are self-governing, which allows each individual church the flexibility to worship as it believes it should.
In the mid-1930s the original chapel was torn down, and in 1939 the new church building was completed and dedicated on the site where the church now stands. The sanctuary is designed in the shape of a cross with a stained-glass window depicting the ministry of Christ as the focal point. In the 1950s the church added an education wing, and during the 1970s additional stained-glass windows were installed, followed by the pipe organ. In the 1990s a narthex and elevator were added, providing complete handicap accessibility, and land was purchased beside Barker’s Alps Park to expand People’s presence in the community. We later named it People’s Park. We built a memorial garden and labyrinth, outdoor chapel, community garden, and a fire pit with a view to the Wisconsin side of the valley. We restored prairie grasses and wildflowers to honor our relationship with the land.
People’s Congregational Church is guided by self-governing policies and procedures, holding true to its original intentions, and the membership has never strayed from its commitment to freedom, specifically the freedom of each person to find God in their own way. People’s Church also has a rich history of supporting the St. Croix Valley through mission engagements and a variety of outreach activities.
In early 2022, we developed interest in potential affiliation with the United Church of Christ based on resonant values (progressive leanings with space for diversity). We engaged in learning sessions about the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and the UCC, ultimately deciding to
become dually affiliated. We were welcomed into affiliation with the MN Conference UCC by delegates to its Annual Meeting on June of 2023!
For 107 years, People’s Congregational Church had been a beacon of inclusion and a respite for anyone wanting to be challenged and filled. With open to all, we hope that anyone who enters will sense the living and loving Spirit of Christ. When approached by St. Peter’s UCC in fall of 2022 to explore the possibility of merger, we began a new chapter in our journey.
Roots in St. Peter’s United Church of Christ
German immigrants in Stillwater found the Lutheran church in the United States was far more restrictive than the German churches had been. In 1900, members from two Lutheran churches seeking greater freedom of conscience and local control formed a new church. The congregation rented space from others and purchased building lots located on a South Broadway overlook.
The church was legally incorporated on Dec.17, 1916, and a new church building and parsonage, for the German Evangelical St. Petri’s Church of Stillwater were dedicated in March 1917. In January 1918, women of the church gained a vote in church matters. Services to this time had been in German; the first services conducted in English began in 1918 and by 1919 the English services took place twice monthly.
Various pastors and theology students served the church in its early years. During the Depression and war years, membership declined substantially. St Peter’s was linked to St John’s in St Paul and served by one pastor until September 1948. Once again, beginning in 1954, St Peter’s shared a pastor with St Lucas of Lake Elmo.
The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches shared a strong commitment to freedom of religious expression. Both denominations found their authority in the Bible and were more concerned with what unites Christians rather than with what divides them. The merging of these two traditions created a denomination that valued the independent congregational tradition while it embraced diversity and freedom. The merger process for the denominations began in 1957; in 1961, St Peter’s became St Peter’s United Church of Christ.
In 1957 it was decided to move to a new location. Lots were purchased but construction was delayed until the sale of the old building occurred. After a renewed interest in a new church building, a successful fund drive made it possible to begin construction. The cornerstone of the original church was transferred to the new church building, which was dedicated on October 30, 1966.
St Peter’s engaged in many ecumenical and community focused events. One important venture was founding of the St Croix Chaplaincy Association January 1968 in. In 1970, out of concern for the environment, St Peter’s started collecting glass to recycle. The church leased the lower level to St Croix Day Care Center which offered to provide childcare at affordable rates beginning in 1977.
Eventually, St Peter’s membership realized there were no longer enough active members to fill the needs of our ministries and began a discernment process to examine their future life. It was a challenging time, guided by Interim Minister Rev. Daniel Harrell. Over a two-year period, the members prayed and mourned the rich life experienced in St. Peter’s history. We arrived at a new fellowship with People’s Congregational Church of Bayport with faith and hope of continuing a renewed commitment to the community together.
Moving Forward as St. Croix United Church
In recent years, we hold held weekly worship services at the People’s Park throughout the summer. When ISD 834 approached us in 2023 with a desire to purchase the land for the future site of an elementary school, we entered into a year-long discernment process. In deciding to sell, we are both excited and grieving. We have chosen a path of letting go so that current and future generations may benefit from a school in a beautiful setting within Bayport.
Our Affiliations:
A statewide network of 108 UCC churches
MNUCC vision statement:
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
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A nationwide network of 4,800 churches
UCC vision statement: “United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.”
UCC mission statement: “United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.”
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A nationwide network of 296 churches (5 are in MN)
NACCC vision statement: “Vital and healthy Congregational Churches, sharing the love of Jesus the Christ. The NACCC will continue to provide the resources, aid, and fellowship that empower strong, healthy churches to thrive.”