In 1984, Rev. Wayne Walther came to start a church in Savage with no building and/or staff. However, the New Church Devlopment Group of the United Methodist Church (UMC) had purchased land on Glendale Road as a starting place. Rev. Walther went door to door to ask residents if they were interested in joining.

Throughout its history, Glendale UMC has always had a focus on the community. In its earlier years, a need for daycare was seen in the community, so the church opened one up. It also partnered with the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School district to provide space for early childhood programing. The daycare is no longer in place, however, connections with the school district still are there just in different ways.

In addition to the daycare, Glendale UMC was one of the first churches to be involved in Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Services with other area churches and also offered a Blue Sunday services to those who didn’t share the joys of the holidays. The church connected with other community groups, such as the Boy Scouts, a group of Hispanic residents looking for a space to worship, besides others to offer space to host meetings/events/etc.

Over the years, Glendale has also joined in volunteering for programs, such as Habitat for Humanity, Fare for All, Metro Area Paint-a-Thon, Feed My Starving Children, Ruby’s Pantry, and Open Door Food Pantry, as part of its community ministry. Currently, Glendale UMC volunteers at a local elementary school to read with students and also supports Open Door Food distribution. Every couple of years, a mission trip is planned with youth and adults as well.

Information gathered for Glendale UMC Background & History Sections from:

• Glendale UMC 25th: Church has grown with community – Twin Cities

• Planting UM roots in MN

• Church & Community Members

For more information on the history of the United Methodist Church in general, follow this link: Our History | UMC.org

For more information on the history of the MN annual conference of the UMC, follow this link: MN UMC -About Us

• September 9, 1981: Church land purchased by New Church Development group

• May 16-17, 1984: A census of approximately 1000 households was taken with about 120 families showing interest in a new church.

• July 1, 1984: Pastor Wayne Walther was assigned

• September 9, 1984: First Worship Service

• January 27, 1985: Chartered in the Savage Elementary School Gym

• July 14, 1985: First Outdoor Worship held on church land

• November 1985: Capital Campaign pledges $107,348 pledged for a 3-year period to finance construction

• February 2, 1986: First Anniversary of Chartering was celebrated

• June 1986: Ground-breaking for church building

• April 26, 1987: Consecration of new church building

• June 1987: Church Family Camp

• 1987: Lower level leased to District 191 Project Kids

• June 1989: Church Family Camp

• July 1, 1992: Pastor Lynda Ellis began appointment

• February 22-March 1, 1993: Puerto Rico Mission Trip

• 1998-2000: Pastor Jim Beard was recruited as a seminary Intern to support Pastor Lynda

• August 1999: Youth Camping Trip to Wisconsin Dells

• 2000: 15th Anniversary Celebration and Groundbreaking for the sanctuary and expanded education & childcare center space

• June 2000: Church Camp

• Summer 2000: Storm Camp

• 2001: First worship service in the new sanctuary

• Summer 2001: Storm Camp

• July 1, 2002: Pastor Bruce Kronen began appointment

• July 1, 2005: Pastor David Taylor began appointment

• January 2004: Women’s Retreat

• 2005: 20th Anniversary Celebration

• 2008: Lower level leased to Russian Language School

• 2009: Lower level leased to Berry Patch School for preschool program starting fall of 2010

• March 2010: Women’s Retreat

• 2010: 25th Anniversary Celebration

• 2010: Calvary UMC in Shakopee merged with Glendale UMC.

• July 24-30, 2010: Rockford Mission Trip

• September 2010: Labyrinth installed as an Eagle Scout project

• July 1, 2013: Pastor Becky Jo Messenbrink began appointment

• July 2014: Motown Mission Trip

• August 18, 2014: First Distribution for Ruby’s Pantry at Glendale

• June 2015: Kenosha Mission Trip

• July 2015: Motown Mission Trip

• 2015: 30th Anniversary Celebration

• January 2019: Mission Trip to Costa Rica

• July 1, 2019: Pastor Kate Payton began appointment

• July 2019: Mission trip to Spirit Lake Reservation in ND

• March 2020: Started volunteering with Open Door Food Pantry

• July 2022: Mission Trip to Flanner House in Indianapolis, IN

• December 4, 2022: Pastor Roger Parrish-Siggelkow began appointment as interim pastor

• July 1, 2023: Pastor Brenda North began appointment

• June 8, 2025: Glendale voted by 75% or more to become a Reconciling Ministries Network Congregation. God loves all and so do we!

• September 2025: 40th Anniversary Celebration

Brenda North: 07/01/2023 - Present

Brenda is our current pastor and is helping to guide us into the future of being inclusive of all. Brenda has been helpful in healing the church after the Covid pandemic and related challenges. Through the guidance of her leadership and her welcoming ways, Glendale has been growing in so many ways. Membership and attendance at Sunday worship., THRIVE, and other events has increased. During her time at Glendale, Brenda guided us towards voting on becoming a Reconciling Ministries Network congregation, which the vote of passed in June 2025 by more than 75% of the congregation.

Roger Parrish-Siggelkow: 12/04/2022 - 6/30/2023

Roger was our interim pastor after it was determined that Pastor Kate was too ill to return from medical leave. Roger brought a sense of humor and often included jokes in his sermons. Roger really connected with the retired generation in the church. He helped bridge the gap between pastors and his time and service were appreciated.

Kate Payton: 7/01/2019: 12/03/2022

Kate came to us from the Baltimore-Washington UMC conference. She brought a lot of energy to Glendale and a cute little dog named Olaf. During her time with Glendale, Kate engaged with the youth and families. She got involved in the community with conversations around race and inclusion. Before she had much time to build relationships with the church and community, the covid pandemic hit and the church had to shift its focus. She guided us with grace and perseverance until she became ill with covid herself and eventually went on medical leave due to long-covid symptoms.

Becky Jo Messenbrink: 7/01/2013 - 6/30/2019

Becky Jo brought to us new energy, and she connected with all generations within the church. She was passionate about our youth and helped us start THRIVE on Wednesday evenings. She guided us through the Healthy Church Initiative and helped us grow in many ways. During Becky Jo’s time with us, we started the mission of food distribution through Ruby’s Pantry.

David Taylor: 7/01/2005 - 6/30/2013

Dave came to Glendale during a time of great change and administrative challenges. He developed a strong lay leadership and has offered classes in Christianity for the wider community. He led us through the closing of Glendale Child Care Center and helped us redirect our community outreach into other valuable programs, such as Glendale Community Gardens, the Tent of Hope, and Fare for All. Dave took on a two-point charge in 2009 and shepherded a merging of Calvary UMC in Shakopee with Glendale UMC in June 2010.

Bruce Kronen: 7/01/2002 - 6/30/2005

Bruce came to Glendale after the completion of our sanctuary. He attracted dynamic youth leaders to our church and started a Saturday evening Praise Service. Bruce’s ministry to families in crisis brought great comfort, and he was instrumental in the salvation of people both inside and outside of our faith community.

Jim Beard, Seminary Intern: 1998-2000

Jim was recruited as a seminary student to help Pastor Lynda during a period of congregational growth. He provided creative worship, led Soul Journeys along with a parishioner, started our Walking By Faith program for older elementary youth, and provided leadership for our Jr./Sr. High Youth programs.

Lynda Ellis: 7/01/1992 - 6/30/2002

Lynda’s task was nurturing our leaders, building community, and further developing our programming. She introduced Unidos en Crist (formerly Cursillo) to our community and led mission trips to Puerto Rico. The sanctuary of our church, plus additional education rooms, were added under her leadership and brought in under budget and on-time with the help of a parishioner.

Wayne Walther: 7/01/1984 - 6/30/1992

Wayne was our founding pastor who was assigned to start a new church in Savage in 1984. Wayne along with his spouse were active in welcoming new people into the community and hosting many get-togethers in their home. The first phase of our building was completed during Wayne’s tenure. He had a strong commitment to serving children, providing leadership in opening Glendale Child Care Center, and in building a strong camping ministry.

2025-present

Living Jesus's radical love, welcoming all into life-changing faith and joyful service.

Our Values: Open-Hearted Welcome, Authentic Exploration, Good Neighbors, Adaptive Spirit, and Joy-Filled Connection.

2015-2025

Growing a multi-generational church known in the community as devoted to service, passionate about learning and open to all.

Our vision is to reach the next generation with faith in Jesus Christ.

2012-2015

To make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, who will be the hands, heart and voice of Jesus in our world.

?-2012

To help those seeking a balanced and sustainable life by exploring life’s questions, offering community support, and sharing our belief in a God who loves you no matter what.

Original (1985)

We believe the church is to be the body of Christ in the world.

We believe God calls us together into one body to minister in Jesus’ name, guided by the Holy Spirit. We, the Glendale United Methodist Church recognize the needs of people: to meet together to worship God in an open environment; to educate children and adults in their relationship with Goad and others; to meet the needs of our members; to welcome new people, and; to reach out to help fill the needs of people in our community and world.