Westminster Presbyterian Church is a vibrant, open-minded congregation of 3,000 worshipping in the heart of Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall. 

An engaged, urban partner sharing the good news with a world in need of God’s peace, love, and justice, Westminster has been a telling presence in the city since 1857.

With stirring worship services, beautiful traditions, and a progressive church culture, Westminster is a home for people of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their faith and make a difference in the world. The church offers ministries in adult, children, and youth education; music and the arts; and social justice, with a highly engaged congregation welcoming and caring deeply for all people within and beyond its walls.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that Advent is upon us. The time has come to prepare our hearts to welcome the Child. We are guided through this season by the question: “What Does Advent Expect of Us?” What is our role—we who claim to follow the Prince of Peace—as we await the radiance of his coming? 

Worship

Christmas Quiet Worship | Saturday, December 19 | 9:00 am | Bushnell Room

In the days before Christmas, all are welcome for a time to become still, with quiet music, familiar words from Scripture, silence, and prayer. Rev. Daniel Vigilante leads worship.

Festival Sunday | December 20 | 8:30 & 10:30 am

Jere Lantz and the Westminster Choir lead a music-filled worship service, singing "What a Wonder" and "Noel," a new and festive anthem by British composer Gordon Thornett.

Christmas Eve Services | Thursday, December 24

Family Worship & Pageant | 4:00 pm
Candlelight Worship | 8:00 & 10:00 pm

Activities & Events

Little Box Sauna | Now thru December 19 | Piazza on the Mall

Conceived as an experimental creative placemaking project by Andrea Johnson and Molly Reichert, Little Box Sauna brings the Nordic sauna experience to the heart of downtown! Open sauna sessions every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from 5-9 pm. Free and open to the public. Secure a spot by registering at Little Box Sauna.

The Westminster Gallery: From Humble Origins

The Westminster Gallery exhibition for Advent and Christmas focuses on a humble telling of the story. Images and crèches made with plain, natural materials guide us in an encounter with the birth, and center us on what really matters this Christmas.

High School/College-Age Party| Sunday, December 20 | 6:00 pm

Location tbd for our high school youth group and recent graduates. Bring a white elephant gift and a snack or dessert to share. The white elephant gift should be something fun or funny—used or found (no need to spend money).

Ways to Give

Gift Collection for Plymouth Christian Youth Center

Donate new and gently used gifts for PCYC's Christmas Gift Sale in north Minneapolis. Leave donations at the stable in the reception area.

Nicollet Square Gift Collection

Help residents furnish their apartments. Most needed: George Foreman grills, blankets or comforters for full and queen-sized beds, area rugs. To donate, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Coat Drive for Westminster's Saturday Morning Hospitality Guests

Westminster is conducting a coat drive to provide winter coats for our Saturday morning hospitality guests. We are seeking adult, gently used, clean winter coats, preferably sizes large and extra large. No leather or fur coats can be accepted. We will collect new knit hats and winter gloves as well. Bring your donation to the coat rack by the Nursery/Meisel Room.

FEAST | Sunday, December 27 | 4:00-7:00 pm

Help serve and celebrate a festive holiday meal with the hungry in the church neighborhood. Sign up at the Reception Desk or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Events

Click for Advent and Christmas services, events and ways to give.

Little Box Sauna

Now through December 19 | Piazza on the Mall
This holiday season the Piazza will feature Little Box Sauna (LBS). Conceived as an experimental creative placemaking project by Andrea Johnson and Molly Reichert, LBS brings the nordic sauna experience to the heart of downtown! Open sauna sessions every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from 5-9 pm. Free and open to the public. Secure a spot by registering at Little Box Sauna.

All-Church Book Read | January

This January we’ll read the award-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Small discussion groups will meet January 10 and 24, in various locations. A featured speaker will lead a large group discussion about the book on January 17. Books are available in the Heller Commons on Sundays. Cost is $15. No need to register for the small groups.

Mother Emanuel 9 Vigils

In partnership with faith communities around the state, the Minnesota Council of Churches is hosting a prayer service of remembrance, repentance, and hope for healing every Wednesday evening for a year in response to the Mother Emanuel 9 shooting and subsequent black church fires nationwide. Westminster hosted a prayer vigil on August 5. Many other congregations will continue these vigils. Click to view the upcoming schedule of services.

Click to view this week's schedule of events.

News for the Westminster Community

Lloyd Peitzman receives Association of Presbyterian Church Educators' Life Achievement Award

Westminster member Lloyd Peitzman recently was named Life Achievement Award winner by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE). Lloyd served as Director of Christian Education at Westminster for many years. Throughout his life, he has upheld the importance of education in the church and it is with deep gratitude for his service that APCE will present him as the 2016 Life Achievement Award Winner at the January 2016 annual event.

"Bruce Dayton given simple, respectful farewell"

Read the story in the Star Tribune.

Doug Mitchell Receives First-Ever Gertmenian Leadership Award

The Rev. Doug Mitchell was awarded the first-ever James Gertmenian Leadership Award at Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative’s annual Building on Faith event in October. Plymouth Congregational Church and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative created the award to honor the Rev. Jim Gertmenian, recently retired senior minister of Plymouth and the founding clergy of Beacon. The award is presented to clergy who pick up the torch and carry forward Jim’s example of inspirational leadership and commitment to ending homelessness. 

David Shinn Confirmed as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care

On Sunday, October 25, the Westminster congregation overwhelmingly approved the Reverend David Shinn's call as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care. Westminster is thrilled to welcome David and his wife Julie into this community! More info.

Tavis Smiley at the Town Hall Forum: "Poverty is the greatest threat to America"

Listen to his talk on Minnesota Public Radio.

The Rose Grand Opening

After nearly four years of planning and construction, Westminster’s Affordable Housing Team is thrilled to announce the grand opening of The Rose. The amazing new housing at the corner of Franklin and Portland Avenues has been built by Aeon MN, with financial support from Westminster. Read the Aeon interview with Doug Mitchell.

The Presbyterian Outlook talks with peace workers in South Sudan

Read the story that includes comments from Shelvis Smith-Mather.

KARE 11 report on marriage equality

Doug Mitchell performed a same-sex wedding on Friday, June 26, the same day the Supreme Court ruled on marriage equality. See story on KARE 11.

Homeless kids learn that money talks

The Star Tribune writes about programming at Nicollet Square, which Westminster financially supports. Read the story by Gail Rosenblum.

Construction to begin in June on Nicollet Mall renovation

Read the story in the Star Tribune about the $50 million investment in the Mall, set to begin June 2015.

Westminster Media Contact

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (612) 242-3184

Come for the Art, Stay for the Grace.

The Westminster Gallery exhibits and collects religious and secular art representing diverse ethnic and cultural traditions. We feature art from the Westminster collection, private collections, and from regional and nationally known artists who demonstrate the connection between art and how it informs our faith. The church has a long history of collecting and incorporating art into both worship and daily life. The Westminster Gallery opened in 2002.

At Westminster, we believe that art matters because it provides a communication tool between an artist or designer and the diverse audience that encounters the art. This encounter likely will generate thought, stimulate conversation, or evoke emotion. 

Current Exhibition
From Humble Origins
November 26-January 31

The Westminster Gallery exhibition for Advent and Christmas focuses on a humble telling of the story of Jesus’ birth within the origin of a grotto in Bethlehem. Nestled in straw and enjoying the warmth of the animal’s breath, the child has a simple start to his life. The story is told from a time before the glitz and glamour that comes with the commercialization of this holy season. Images and crèches made with plain, natural materials guide us in an encounter with the birth. Hopefully, this simple presentation will offer us a respite from the busyness of the season and center us with what really matters this Christmas.

Exhibition Schedule

The Westminster Gallery features approximately six exhibitions each year. The exhibitions during Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter are based on those themes, but vary substantially from year to year. A summer exhibition generally features art created by Westminster members and friends, and is curated around a particular theme. The other exhibitions focus on a single artist, a biblical theme, or may be inspired by current events. The work of other artists is frequently exhibited in the Great Hall, and the public spaces of the building are filled with original art from the collection.

The Crèche Collection

Westminster member, Martha Spencer Rogers, began collecting crèches in LaPaz, Bolivia, in the mid-1960s. In 2004 and 2007 she gifted more than 180 crèches and custom display cases to the Westminster Collection. This magnificent collection has inspired children and adults alike by presenting the nativity story in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic representations of the holy family. Every visitor can find an infant Jesus that could be from their region of the world. The collection is on permanent view on Westminster’s second floor and the lower level.

Tithes and offerings are expressions of our faith in God.