Pastor Andrea Roske-Metcalfe in front of the red doors of Diamond Lake Lutheran
BY KAY SCHROVEN
You might say that Diamond Lake Lutheran Church has had a rebirth in recent times. If you drive on Portland Avenue, you’ve probably seen the beautiful limestone church with the red doors. What you cannot see from the road is the lovely, renovated interior and the lush, green view where the property backs up against Diamond Lake. The remodel includes a deck added onto the back of the property so that the congregation and wider community can enjoy this scenic view.
The church originated in 1940 as an Augustana mission congregation, starting out with a small wooden frame chapel, painted red in the Swedish tradition. By 1952 the growth of the congregation warranted the construction of a beautiful gothic sanctuary. The stained-glass alone is worth a visit. An activities building was added in 1960, and in 1987 the two structures were joined.
The latest renovation—made possible by a $3 million Capital_Campaign—transformed the building from a traditional church into a vibrant community hub. Bright, open spaces with abundant windows now welcome groups of all sizes. The expansive Lake-view room supports a wide range of activities, while multiple kid-friendly areas ensure families feel at home. All meeting spaces are available for use by the wider community.
Pastor Andrea Roske-Metcalfe, a native of Minnesota who became the pastor 2.5 years
Pastor Andrea baptises a baby in front of the chancel window
ago, is also part of the new energy at Diamond Lake Lutheran. She brings years of experience (ordained 16 years ago), along with innovative ideas, ministries, and programs. As a result, attendance and engagement has increased in recent years even as national trends show an overall decline in church attendance. Pastor Andrea introduced the “Pray-Ground,” a popular space at the front of the sanctuary where young children can color and play while remaining engaged in worship. The approach values children as participants and helps parents by reducing distractions. Another newer element of worship is the Sermon on the Steps, when Pastor Andrea gathers the children for a message that often resonates just as deeply with the congregation in the pews. “I hope our time together in worship each week is for the purpose of something bigger than ourselves,” Pastor Andrea says. “I hope we leave the sanctuary with more courage—and more questions—than when we walked in.”
Seventeen years ago, Kristine Spanier set out to find a church where her children could attend Sunday School and eventually be confirmed. Once she discovered Diamond Lake Lutheran, she says, she felt she’d found “something I needed for myself that I didn’t even know I was looking for.” Kristine is now the Director of Communications, working in concert with five additional program staff members: John Pedersen, Director of Community Outreach; Lacy Tooker-Kirkevold, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries; Austen Hartke, Business Administrator; Parker Webster, Parish Nurse; and Beya Leora, Facilities Coordinator.
Children gathered around Pastor Andrea for the Sermon on the Steps.
Online reviews of the church repeatedly point out the welcoming, attentive nature of the church, mentioning its clergy and congregation, the beautiful setting, the music, and the diverse educational opportunities for both adults and children.
The church’s primary focus is on social justice and community outreach. Diamond Lake Lutheran is in the process of becoming an RIC (Reconciling in Christ) church which means the congregation will vote to formalize something that has been true for years—that all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, are welcomed and affirmed at the church.
Frankly, if I were to list the many programs, partnerships, and ministries that Diamond Lake Lutheran is involved in, I would need a much larger space than I have here in Southside Pride. The church supports and participates in Every Meal (filling the weekend food gap for schoolchildren); Welcome Home (a program in partnership with Lutheran Social Service that helps moms and kids transitioning from shelters); Meals on Wheels (bringing meals to the homebound); and New Creations Mother Jeanette Frazier Food Shelf. Hearts & Minds Learning Community, an urban outdoors-first educational program, is housed at the church.
Wednesdays special at Diamond Lake Lutheran. The evening starts with a free community meal, followed by programming which may be a speaker, an educational experience, or, once a month, the New Frontier Lutheran Radio Hour. This is a modern rendition of a classic radio comedy, written and directed by Graydon Royce and performed live by the acting troupe of Diamond Lake Lutheran (and friends). It is an opportunity to enjoy the “lighter side” of Lutheran life in the Prairie Home Companion style. A club for children ages three-years-old through sixth grade (with youth helpers) runs concurrently to allow parents to attend the programming. Youth Group for 7th through 12th graders meets just afterward.
There are numerous activities to become involved in at Diamond Lake Lutheran, including theater, social justice education and efforts, worship and music, seasonal events, youth gatherings and ministries, community outreach retreats, yoga, book club, quilting, and shawl-making for those in need.
I found several of the events and ministries unique and creative: a Senior Story Slam in partnership with TRUST, Inc. (seniors sharing their stories after word-crafting workshops); Blue Christmas (a contemplative service for those challenged during the holidays); and a Consolation Committee (a volunteer group that hosts lunches following funeral and memorial services). New programs are in development and will be introduced in the coming months.
2025 marks the 85th anniversary of Diamond Lake Lutheran Church. As part of the celebration, the congregation bundled more than 2,000 pairs of socks and underwear for The Drawer to distribute to those in need. Now that’s a celebration!
Diamond Lake Lutheran Church
5760 Portland Ave. Mpls.
612-866-2579 www.dllc.org
Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m.
Bogart’s doughnuts are served with coffee and conversation both before and after services.
