Community group aiming to restore, preserve

The Como Community Center team is renovating and preserving the old Como Congregational Church. Image: Como Community Center

A community group in Minneapolis is taking action to restore and preserve the historic Como Congregational Church and Community Center.

The Minnesota Daily reported that the renovations of the building have been ongoing since October 2022.

Preserving Historical Building

In October 2022, Como locals launched various restoration efforts aimed at the Como Community Center (CCC).

For the betterment of the Como neighborhood in Minneapolis, a group of locals has gathered to restore and run the building as part of the Como Community Center initiative. The group aims to give the historic structure a purpose in the modern world.

Larry Crawford, a current member of the CCC, claims that the group was originally formed in 2004 by residents who wanted to preserve the building for its historical significance.

The structure reportedly dates back to 1886 and was initially used as an assembly hall.

According to The Minnesota Daily, restoration efforts focus on the structure's history as a church during its glory in the 1920s. The ultimate goal is to revive the building's old form for use by the local community.

A developer has advocated for the building's demolition as it has been unused for so long.

Although the CCC team tried to buy the building from the City of Minneapolis for 14 years without success, they eventually were able to do it in December 2021.

Crawford added that the renovations would gather the community once again, as he anticipated that the community center would hold public and educational events.

"It will also continue to have religious services on the weekends by rental along with all the other rental uses for different organizations," The Minnesota Daily quoted Crawford saying.

Vision for Como Community Center

The CCC team hopes that the center will serve as a gathering place for the people of Como by hosting various programs that will educate, entertain, enlighten, and bring the community together.

According to the team, in keeping with its family setting and former use, the center will be used as a venue for events at a dynamic new site in Como. As a bonus, they hope to use it for religious gatherings.

Not only that, but the center will also feature a "Como Showcase," highlighting the work of local Como artists and the community service of area residents.

About Como Congregational Church

For many years, children of other Christian denominations in Como attended Sunday school at Como Congregational Church, the town's only place of worship.

In the 1950s, the structure underwent extensive renovations, including removing the bell tower. In 1985, the Congregationalists left Como Church; since then, it has been the home of the Como Evangelical Free Church.

As shared by Como History, the church building itself was a sight to behold.

The church building was renovated to house a museum dedicated to preserving historical swords and armor. As it was renovated in 1985, the details have been lost. However, the Gothic style of the church still shows how old it was.