Pastor: Mel &Carol Patrick
Pastor: Rev. Sarasarith & Vanna Chhum
Pastor: Rev. Pat & Penny Thomas
Pastor: Rev. Tim and Anita Asbill
Pastor: Rev. Steven C. & Stephanie West
Pastor: Rev. Terry & Angie Hancock
Pastor: Rev. Tony & Cynthia Freeburg
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Prayer in the Chapel
Prayer in the Chapel
Mondays 6-6:30 PM
The main focus of our time together is to pray for God’s direction and vision for SUMC and for our own lives. This is a time of prayer (speaking to and listening to God). Be sure to quiet your thoughts and take some time to listen.
Feel free to read the Bible or some hymns to help focus your minds. God uses those to speak to us as well. On the back of this sheet are some recommended scriptures and hymns, although don’t feel you have to stick to those. Sometimes God can also speak to us by opening the book (Bible or Hymnal) to a random page and reading a random verse.
Be open to God’s leading. If your attention is continually drawn to a person or event take time to pray for that person or event. You don’t have to know specifics just place them at the feet of God.
It may be helpful for you to bring some paper and a pencil so you can write down anything that God is telling you (through words, images, ideas, scripture, song…).
Building Usage Policy
Salem United Methodist Church 5590 Babcock Trail E. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077For facility usage reservations please call 651-451-0639 or email us at salem @mninter.net
We share a concern for maintaining a well-cared-for facility that can be available to serve you and others for years to come. We ask you for your cooperation by respecting the policies of SUMC. SUMC is a SMOKE-FREE facility. Smoking is permitted outside of the building. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere on church property. “Blessed are the peacemakers. No firearms are allowed in this place of sanctuary.”
Here are some of the groups that use SUMC Facilities.
Inver Grove Heights Boy Scout Troop 507
4-H Kaposia Kids: Dakota County
Chinese Language School
Directions to Salem United Methodist Church from Google Maps.
Salem Church is conveniently located at the corner of Upper 55th St and Babcock Trail, just two blocks west of Highway 52.
5590 Babcock Trl
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
View Larger Map
Salem is one of the earliest Methodist churches in Minnesota. Salem Church started in September 1854, with itinerant pastor, Gustav Zollman, conducting services spoken in German in one or two-room log cabin homes of the parishioners. In 1855, Sunday school was organized. In 1858, five acres of land was purchased with enough property for the church building, a parsonage, land for the cemetery and the adjoining picnic area. The picnic area was used as a campground and for revival meetings. The original log church building built in 1858 was 22’ x 32’.
The names of the first members of Salem Church are Henry Blase, John Busch, Wilhelm Dickmann, Henry Gross, William Korfhage, Richard Morrill, John and William Rolfing. Later members included these families: Gackstetter, Hartnagle, Goppelt, Klein, Kleinschmidt, Kromschroeder, Kurrelmeier, Kurth, Schmidt, Schulte, Sievert, Stutsmann, Thoele, and Zehnder. Some descendants still live in Inver Grove Heights and continue to worship at Salem Church.
Salem’s 20 members constructed the historical sanctuary, now called the Heritage Chapel, in 1868 at a cost of $4,000. The sanctuary consisted of plain windows, straight benches, a pump organ, kerosene lamps and two wood burning stoves for heat. That same year a parsonage was built next to the church building. In 1872, the tall steeple was added. A bell tower was installed in 1881. In 1909, the basement beneath the Heritage Chapel was dug out using horses and “slushers” to make room for the growing Sunday school. In 1915, the worship service language changed from German to English. Stained glass windows, curved wooden pews and hardwood floors were installed in 1916. In 1958, construction of additional Sunday school classrooms, a kitchen, and fellowship area was completed. In 1964, a second addition consisting of more classrooms and office space was finished. The Heritage Chapel served as the sanctuary for the people of Salem United Methodist Church for 126 years. Today, the Heritage Chapel is used for Sunday school openings, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve services, and small weddings.
The present Worship Center was built in 1994, the Heritage Chapel was remodeled and redecorated. Worship style changed to a more contemporary format and is led by a Praise Team. Major landscaping work was done and a lighted sign was added in 2002. In 2003, a stained glass window representing Jesus and the children was installed in the Worship Center. Ministry is increasing with ongoing involvement in the Neighbors Food Shelf, Operation Christmas Child and STORM Camp.
The people of SUMC are actively involved in serving people in the Inver Grove Heights area. Salem ministry events include the Pumpkin Party, Operation Christmas Child, Fill a Backpack Campaign, Feed My Starving Children, the Neighbors Inc. food shelf and visits to Woodlyn Heights Care Center. The basketball court on the church parking lot is available for use much of the time.
People are invited to identify their SHAPE for ministry and then to serve consistent with how God has wired them. SHAPE stands for Spiritual gifts, Heath, natural Abilities, Personality, and Experience.
The people of SUMC are also active in multiple mission trips to the Gulf Coast (Biloxi.MS, New Orleans.LA, Slidell.LA), to help the people who suffered from the 2005 Hurricanes. Visit this website for more information. http://www.rodscof.blogspot.com/
Ministry Opportunities
Greeters: greet those who come to worship
Power point technician: coordinate and run worship PowerPoint
Set s up/take-down crew: assist with the set-up and/or take-down
Small group leaders: facilitate Bible study and discussion
Sound technician: operate the sound board during worship
Ushers: assist with seating and the collection of the offering
Vocalists and musicians: be a part of the worship team; rehearsal on Sunday mornings
Nursery and toddler staff: care for toddlers, ages 2-5, at 9 a.m. during the service
A two-year confirmation process is available in the fall to those starting in the 8th grade. CrossTraining includes classes with the pastor, worship, Bible study, and participation in STORM Camp. STORM stands for Service To Others in Rural Minnesota.
CrossTraining is a great opportunity to connect with God and other Christians. CrossTraining is geared toward training students to become more than prepared to run the race that is set before them. You will receive the tools and training that are necessary to compete in this race we call Life. The major themes CrossTraining focuses on are as follows: Authentic Faith, Spiritual Disciplines, Moral Boundaries, Healthy Friendships, Wise Choices, Ultimate Authority, and Others First.
Set by the UMC at http://archives.umc.org/interior
A Bible study for senior adults is usually held the third Tuesday of each month. Afterward the group goes out for lunch. Other Bible studies are held as scheduled by the pastor, usually for 10 weeks at a time.
Education classes for all ages are held year-round Sunday mornings. There are two classes for adults. Lessons are Bible-centered. During the summer, classes are inter-generational.
Worship at Salem Church is participatory and multi-sensory. You are invited to welcome other people. People participate in the way they feel most comfortable. Children come forward for a special time together. During singing people usually stand. Clapping and raising hands is invited. Please bring your Bible. Dramas, video clips, and visuals are used to help enhance the message.
A typical worship service includes a greeting time, special time for children, prayer, singing, and a biblically-based message that gives you something for the week. The aim is for worship to be inspiring and to be open to people seeking a relationship with God.
Salem Church is part of the United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. There are over 400 United Methodist Churches in Minnesota and over 36,000 across the United States. For more information go to minnesotaumc.org for Minnesota information or umc.orgfor national and international information.
Also Salem Church is part of the RiverBend United Methodist churches. This association has five UMC churches in northern Dakota County. Our churches are active in Missions to disaster regions (ie. Gulf Coast, Iowa) and we have shared senior activities and other events and festivities.
RiverBend Congregations include Faith UMC, First UMC, Mt. Bethel UMC, Salem UMC , St. Paul UMC
In 1855 the Michael Gackstetter family, with six children, left St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada for Minnesota. In 1852 the Adam Laschinger family, who lived at New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, moved to Dakota County, Minnesota. The Gackstetter family farm was north of the current church property, and the Laschinger’s farm was west of the property on which the church is located.
Both families were members of the Evangelical church in Canada; and shortly after they were settled in Minnesota, they requested the Evangelical church in Canada to send a pastor to Minnesota. In November, 1856, Andrew Tarnutzer, the first Evangelical minister in Minnesota, arrived in Winona, Minnesota. In February, 1857, he arrived in St. Paul. On March 2, 1857, Rev. Tarnutzer organized the first Evangelical class of members of the Evangelical church in Minnesota. Michael Gackstetter was elected the first class leader of the Evangelical church in Minnesota, known as the Salem Evangelical Church.
From 1857 until 1874, a small building across the road from the present site was the place of worship. This small frame building had siding that ran up and down, two windows, one door, and several wooden benches. In 1874 H. E. Bunse became pastor to both Emanuel Evangelical Church at Pine and 11th Streets in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Salem Evangelical Church. Rev. Bunse began construction of the current building on farm land donated by the Michael Gackstetter family. The church measures 20 feet six inches by 32 feet six inches, has a hall or tower entrance of five feet by seven feet, and measures fourteen feet from the stone foundation to the eaves with a tower of approximately 30 feet. Mr. Hauck of Emmanuel as well as the farmers and people in the neighborhood helped in the construction. Before the present building was completed, Rev. Bunse was elected presiding elder of Emanuel Evangelical Church. Rev. Ernest Hielscher was assigned to Salem Evangelical Church.
The first camp meeting was held on the Gackstetter farm between July 1st and July 6, 1857. It was reported that there were seven tents erected, two covered wagons, and that there were nine conversions. Among the converts was Jacob Bosshardt of East Prairie, Minnesota. The second camp meeting was held in 1858 on the Adam Laschinger farm, and there were thirteen conversions. These 22 conversions, along with Laschinger and Gackstetter families, comprised the original members. Among the first members of the Salem Kirche, were: Michael Gackstetter, Adam Laschinger, Jacob Binder, Jacob Bosshardt, George Glassing, Frederick Goldberg, Frederick Wm. Goldberg, C. F. Kachel, John Kochendorfer, Heinrich Schafer, Gottfried Schmidt, John Simon, and Frederick Zehnder.
Salem Evangelical Church held continuous worship services until 1910, at which time most of its families migrated to the Winifred Street Church (now Faith United Methodist Church in West St. Paul), with some of the families moving to the West Side Community Church (now a part of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Mendota Heights) and the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church down the road (now Salem United Methodist Church). After its closing, ownership was continued as a historical site by the Evangelical church formed in 1922, by the Evangelical United Brethren church formed in 1946, and lastly by the United Methodist church formed in 1968. Until the late 1960’s when Dakota County renamed streets this road was known as Salem Church Road. It remains the only street in Dakota County to have two historic churches, both named Salem on the same road. Salem Church Road still exists within the boundaries of the City of Sunfish Lake.
In 1949 a group of interested people organized as a committee to care for the building and cemetery grounds. Arthur Schlukebier was elected president and Christian J. Zehnder became secretary-treasurer. The current committee has 16 members.
Since 1955 the committee has held a Founder’s Day service on the first Sunday in June, and in 1998 began an Epiphany Service on the first Sunday in January. The potbelly wood-burning stove is used to heat the building for winter events. The original pump organ is still in the church and used at worship services. Each year there are weddings, family reunions, tours, and other special occasions held at the church. The church building, cemetery, and the grounds capture the local color of a rural atmosphere and a sense of heritage of pioneer courage and steadfast faith in God. The church and adjoining cemetery reveal a great deal about the history of Inver Grove Heights between the 1700s and the present.
The first person buried in the cemetery at Salem Evangelical Church was Anna Borchardt, who made her home with the Adam Laschinger family, according to their family album. The first recorded burial in the cemetery records, however, was of Edward Goldberg in July, 1876.
It is opened for worship at 4:00 p.m. on Epiphany [Usually the 1st Sunday in January] and Founder’s Day [The first Sunday in June]. For information on renting the Little White Church for small weddings contact Rev. Leonard Boche at 651-482-7881.
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Rev. Carolyn Westlake began as pastor of Salem Church in September of 2007. She is married to Rev. Dave Westlake and has three children; Ashley, Franklin, Joshua. She began ordained ministry in 1999. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida. Pastor Carolyn is on the conservative/Wesleyan Orthodox side theologically and believes in tradition with a creative flare.
Pastor Westlake’s appointment brochure
We are a people of faith developing as followers of Jesus Christ, guided by the Bible, and marked by acceptance, love, and forgiveness. Our desire is to have an increasingly outward focus, to demonstrate God’s love by serving people around us so the hurting are healed, the hungry are fed, the lonely are loved, and all can experience grace. To accomplish this we will:
- worship God with joy
- provide a variety of faith-building opportunities
- help people identify their God-given gifts for ministry and empower them to serve
- boldly tell people about Jesus
- regularly engage in hands-on missions, and
- be an active part of the community
Where is Salem Church?
Salem Church is located on the corner of Upper 55th St and Babcock Trail in northern Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
Click here for a map and driving directions
What kind of worship style do you offer?
At the 9:00am service, a praise band leads us with uplifting contemporary music each Sunday. Our service is enhanced with audio-visual equipment, including a large screen displaying song lyrics, sermon highlights, and other information.
Both worship services at Salem Church typically include singing praise songs and/or selected hymns, a greeting time, special time for children, prayer, and a biblically based message that gives you something for Monday. Our goal is simply this: to create an atmosphere of worship and inspiration, and to provide a home for people seeking a relationship with God.
What kind of church are you?
We worship God with joy in a contemporary Christian setting. We believe in the Trinity and the teachings of the Bible. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We practice open communion and baptize people of all ages. We invite all people to experience the heart of Christ with open hearts, open hands, and open doors. Salem Church is part of the United Methodist denomination.
Is Salem Church handicap accessible?
Yes, the main level of Salem Church is wheelchair accessible including the Worship Center, Heritage Chapel, Fellowship Hall and bathrooms. Handicap parking spaces are conveniently located near the door. Hearing enhancement devices are available in the Worship Center.
When do you worship?
We worship at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday. Education classes are offered at 10:30 a.m. Last Updated ( Saturday, 03September 2008 )
Pastor Carolyn Westlake
Office Phone: 651-451-0639
You can contact Salem Church by phone or e-mail (salem@mninter.net). Please feel free to contact Salem or Pastor Westlake if you would like any additional information. Pastor Westlake is available by appointment.
Salem UMC Website Address: http://www.salemigh.org/
Salem UMC Building Address:
Salem United Methodist Church 5590 Babcock Trl E.Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
Prayer Request Form
If you would like to submit a prayer request, please use the form below. Remember, only your first name will be used in prayer requests. Other information that you choose to supply will be kept confidential.
If you would like someone to discuss this with you further, please let us know and provide the best way for us to contact you.
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Click on the Facebook to enter the Salem UMC FACEBOOK page.
We believe in the power of prayer. We would like to pray for your joys, need, and concerns.
If you would like for us to pray for you, please fill out the form on the Contact Us page.
Only your first name will be used in prayer requests. Other information that you choose to supply will be kept confidential.
Giving is a biblical concept
Christians give out of obedience and out of a heart of gratitude for all that God has given us as everything; our time, our money and ourselves belong to Him. Giving is an act of worship done with a spirit of thanksgiving. It allows us to bless others and to be a part of what God is doing in our community and around the world. While our culture tells us that happiness comes from accumulating possessions, generosity allows us to break the hold of that fallacy and to learn contentment with what we have. When God works through us and the use of our resources, we experience lasting satisfaction and true joy. How we spend and invest our money reflects the state of our hearts.
2 Corinthians 8:7
How much should I give?
That answer can only be determined between an individual follower of Christ and God. But the Bible provides some guidelines. The Bible teaches us that God owns everything and that we are but stewards of the possessions that He has provided. Everything we have is His. He provides for our needs through our income and possessions. God’s people in the Old Testament understood this concept and believed that God allowed them to use 90% of their income to meet their needs while 10% or a tithe was returned to God for His purposes. The tithe continues to be used as a guide by many Christians today. Those who feel they aren’t able to give 10% of their income right away may find a practical next step to be to tithe on a portion of their income. Once that goal is achieved, tithe on a larger portion. Once you have experienced the joy of giving, there will be no turning back!
How Can I Give to Salem?
Online Giving
You may set up one-time or recurring contributions from a checking account or credit card that is linked to your checking account. Online giving is under construction, sorry for the inconvenience.
Service Time:
The worship service takes place in the Worship Center at 9:00 am.
When You Visit:
We’ll do all we can to ensure that you experience great music, welcoming people, an encouraging message and an environment of warm hospitality when you visit Salem Church.
As you enter the building you’ll be greeted by someone, who can also direct you to the Worship Service, or the nursery and they will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Worship Service:
As you enter the service an usher will hand you a Bulletin that contains information on current opportunities.
As we express our worship to God, the music is celebratory though the style varies. Most Sundays you’ll experience a blend of updated traditional hymns, along with the contemporary songs of today. If you listen to stations like KTIS (98.5 FM) and KLOVE (103.7 FM), you will already be familiar with much of the music used in our worship services. We encourage you to participate by singing or clapping along. You may also choose to quietly reflect on the words which are projected on our screen.
After The Service:
If you would like to meet our Pastor following the service, you’ll find her at the entrence greeting people. She’d love to meet you. Confidential prayer is also available with members and the Pastor following each of the services. There will also be refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday School:
You are welcome to attend Sunday School Opening in the Heritage Chapel. Where we sing some short worhsip songs and celebrate birthdays and anniversities. After the opening you are welcome to attend the class that best fits you.
This page is under construction, sorry about the inconvenience.
Here is our latest newsletter. Look below for older archives.
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Check out the latest Salem Podcast
Our mission is to invite people to experience:
the love of God,
the joy of Christian community,
and a continually growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
At the core of every individual’s life is a need for relationships-with God and with God’s people. SUMC Adult Ministries help you strengthen your relationship with God and others. Bible Fellowship groups and other activities help you to not only know about God, but really know Him. We have a Women’s Small Group, Senior Small Group, and two adult classes; one with Pastor Carolyn, we are watching the NOOMA series afterward we have discussion. The second is our senior’s class, which read the Bible and have discussion.
Here at Salem Church we are looking forward to help our youth now and in the future, to grow in Christ. We look forward to seeing new faces in our classes. This year, our middle and high school classes are doing studies from the NOOMA movies.
Good Morning - Senior’s Morning Small Group
This group take place at Salem Church, on Tuesdays at 10:30am. We will meet every THIRD Tuesday of the month. Please bring your Bible.
For more information, directions, questions please contact Pastor Carolyn Westlake at 651.451.0639.
Discerning the Voice of God - Adult Small Group
How to recognize when God speaks, by Priscilla Shirer. This book takes us through simple but profound and practical scripture based lessons on God’s character, on his desire to speak to us, and how the stories of how God spoke in the bible can teach us ways to prepare ourselves to hear from Him today.
Or as the description says:
In this six-lesson interactive study, Priscilla draws insight from Scripture and provides practical steps for how to know the voice of God. Through print and video messages, participants learn to recognize God’s character, language, and tone of voice as they spend time in His Word and understand the role of the Holy Spirit.
Starting Wednesday, June 10 until September
6:30-8pm, Workbooks are $13
We are regularly out on the web. When we find a great site we list it here for you to enjoy.
- Minnesota Conference of the United Methodist Church
- UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
- United Methodist Church
- United Methodist News Service
- Upper Room Daily Devotional
- City of Inver Grove Heights
- Inver Grove Heights Schools
- Leadership University
- Breakpoint
- Family Life
- Hollywood Jesus
- Feed My Starving Children
- Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child)
- Neighbors, Inc. (Food shelf)
- Dare2Share (Youth Ministry)
- Godtube.com
- Biblegateway.com
- Hymnsite.com
Serving Organizations
Salem ministry events include the Pumpkin Party, Operation Christmas Child, Fill a Backpack Campaign, Feed My Starving Children, the Neighbors Inc. food shelf and visits to Woodlyn Heights Care Center.
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Salem United Methodist Church of Inver Grove Heights celebrated one hundred and fifty years of service to the community in 2004. Salem means peace in German and Hebrew.
Throughout Salem’s history, the members have been and remain involved in social concerns. God has blessed Salem Church with a new mission and vision for ministry. Salem’s members are people with ties that bind them to the old with hands that stretch to the future, by making sure we look to new horizons with a fresh vision for today and tomorrow.
Welcome to Salem Church
Salem Church is a friendly and caring Protestant church that has been serving the people of Inver Grove Heights and the surrounding area since 1854. Opportunities are available for people of all ages to grow closer to God through Jesus Christ. Our spiritual family supports and loves one another, and looks forward to meeting and worshiping with you.
The Worship Center is conveniently located at the corner of Upper 55th St and Babcock Trail, just two blocks west of Highway 52.
Check the web site home page for current Sunday morning worship times. A nursery is available for children 5 & under.
Education classes are available on Sunday mornings for all ages.
Our Heritage Chapel is used weekly for Sunday School opening, and for special services, weddings and funerals throughout the year.
Sunday Schedule
Worship 9:00 AM Education 10:20 to 11:15 AM
Visit SUMC Calendar for more upcoming events
Visit the upcoming Mission Trips blog
One of our younger members has been accepted for a Youth Encounter team. Read her blog here.
Prayer in the Chapel Mondays 6-6:30 PM
