Judson Memorial Baptist Church
Minneapolis MN
55409-1442
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Who we are
Judson’s Mission: We are a spiritually grounded community united in providing sanctuary for all who enter. We seek to open ourselves to the healing and transforming power of God’s love as we seek to follow the life of Jesus: honoring our deepest differences, seeking justice and mercy, discovering and implementing our gifts, and nurturing our children.
Judson is Inclusive, Relational and Creative.
You will find Judson to be a theologically progressive church in the American Baptist tradition of honoring Soul Freedom, Biblical Freedom, Local Church Autonomy and Separation of Church and State.
We’re Open and You are Welcome here.
Judson is a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone’s story and journey are honored. A special and defining feature of our weekly worship service is the personal reflection, made by a member or friend of Judson who shares some part of their spiritual journey.
Judson is Inclusive, Relational and Creative.
You will find Judson to be a theologically progressive church in the American Baptist tradition of honoring Soul Freedom, Biblical Freedom, Local Church Autonomy and Separation of Church and State.
We’re Open and You are Welcome here.
Judson is a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone’s story and journey are honored. A special and defining feature of our weekly worship service is the personal reflection, made by a member or friend of Judson who shares some part of their spiritual journey.
Location of worship
4101 Harriet Ave S
Minneapolis,
MN
55409-1442
United States
Phone: 612-822-0649 ext. 10
Fax: 612-822-8055
Click here to contact the church
Church Pastor
Reverend G. Travis Norvel
Pastor
4101 Harriet Ave S
Minneapolis,
MN
55409-1442
United States
Phone: 612-822-0649
Fax: 612-822-8055
Click here to contact Reverend G. Travis Norvel
Denomination
Baptist
Affiliations
Church Website
Judson Memorial Baptist Church on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Reverend G. Travis Norvel
Leader Position:
Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Phone:
Fax:
612-822-8055
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Reverend G. Travis Norvel
Leader Bio:
Travis and his wife, Lori and three children reside in south Minneapolis near Diamond Lake where they attempt to live out their commitment as “urban agrarians.” In January of 2014, he sold his car and chose to bike and use public transportation for his vocation as a pastor. His twitter handle is the pedalingpastor.
In addition to pastoring Judson, which he describes as the world’s greatest church, Travis is also a chaplain for the 5th Precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department and an adjunct professor at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. His writings have appeared in The Christian Century, Sojourners, Star Tribune, Times-Picayune, West Virginia Gazette, Review and Expositor, and Interpretation. The writers who speak to him most include Marilynne Robinson, Thomas Merton, Walter Rauschenbusch, Howard Thurman, Wendell Berry, Dorothy Day & Denise Giardina.
Pastor Travis is a proud native West Virginian hailing from the town of St. Albans. He graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and in 2000 from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (Martin Luther King, Jr’s alma mater). The pastoral life called him to serve churches West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Louisiana before arriving at Judson in July, 2012.
When he is not busy solving life’s persistent problems, you can find him enjoying time with his wife, Lori, a Minneapolis public school teacher, and his three kids. He is always open to having a cup of coffee with you, taking a walk around Lake Harriet, or passing a baseball. Feel free to mosey on over and peruse his blog: transitionpastor
In addition to pastoring Judson, which he describes as the world’s greatest church, Travis is also a chaplain for the 5th Precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department and an adjunct professor at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. His writings have appeared in The Christian Century, Sojourners, Star Tribune, Times-Picayune, West Virginia Gazette, Review and Expositor, and Interpretation. The writers who speak to him most include Marilynne Robinson, Thomas Merton, Walter Rauschenbusch, Howard Thurman, Wendell Berry, Dorothy Day & Denise Giardina.
Pastor Travis is a proud native West Virginian hailing from the town of St. Albans. He graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and in 2000 from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (Martin Luther King, Jr’s alma mater). The pastoral life called him to serve churches West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Louisiana before arriving at Judson in July, 2012.
When he is not busy solving life’s persistent problems, you can find him enjoying time with his wife, Lori, a Minneapolis public school teacher, and his three kids. He is always open to having a cup of coffee with you, taking a walk around Lake Harriet, or passing a baseball. Feel free to mosey on over and peruse his blog: transitionpastor
Reverend G. Travis Norvel on Social Media:
Other Church Leaders:
Administration
Admin Name:
Eileen McLaughlin
Admin Position:
Office Manager
Admin Address:
Phone:
Fax:
612-822-8055
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Eileen McLaughlin
Mailing Address
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Judson Memorial Baptist Church Service Times
SUNDAY SERVICE STARTS AT 9:30 am
Do you know us? We are seekers, believers, doubters, and dreamers who gather each Sunday at the corner of 41st and Harriet. We are married, partnered, single, gay and straight; we are families at all ages and stages of life. We are theologically progressive and politically diverse - and we welcome all.
We are from Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian and many other faith traditions - and from no tradition. We are Judson Memorial Baptist Church. We strive to learn about and live the love of God.
We invite you to join us any Sunday morning
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Do you know us? We are seekers, believers, doubters, and dreamers who gather each Sunday at the corner of 41st and Harriet. We are married, partnered, single, gay and straight; we are families at all ages and stages of life. We are theologically progressive and politically diverse - and we welcome all.
We are from Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian and many other faith traditions - and from no tradition. We are Judson Memorial Baptist Church. We strive to learn about and live the love of God.
We invite you to join us any Sunday morning
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Main Bible:
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Judson Memorial Baptist Church History
Judson History
By Tom Balcom, Church Historian
While no past record or proof exists, it is very likely that Harry Wild Jones is responsible for naming our church. Because he was an architect and a long-standing member of our parent church, Calvary Baptist at 26th and Blaisdell Avenue, Jones was commissioned to design both our original chapel and our current church building. Now for the rest of the story!
Harry Wild Jones was involved in a near-fatal car accident in 1906. For his recuperation from a fractured skull, Jones took an around-the-world cruise, including an extended stay in Burma. He specifically went to Burma because his grandfather Jones did missionary work there with Adoniram Judson during the early to mid-1800s. He learned firsthand about the valuable contributions to the well-being of the Burmese people and their country by Judson, his grandfather, and other 19th century Baptist missionaries in Burma.
Upon Jones’ return to Minneapolis in 1907, he designed a chapel for Calvary’s mission church two miles to the southwest in a new growing neighborhood. At that time, I’m convinced that Harry Wild Jones gave our church the name “Judson Memorial Baptist Church” because of his admiration for the missionary work of Adoniram Judson and his grandfather Jones. In addition, Adoniram Judson was a famous graduate of Brown University, a college deeply rooted in religion, where Harry attended before getting his architecture degree from MIT. Finally, using “Memorial” in a building name was a common practice for recognizing important people and their role in founding institutions such as churches, schools, and hospitals in the early 1900s. Coincidentally, for over 40 years, Jones lived just a block from the Washburn Memorial Orphan Asylum (where Ramsey Junior High School is today).
Harry Wild Jones was chosen to design our current church building at 41st and Harriet in 1914. He conducted the cornerstone laying ceremony in June. Eight months later, he gave a religious architecture address at the opening service of Judson Church in March, 1915. Even though Judson Memorial Baptist Church was his personal architectural work and it was two miles closer to his home at 51st and Nicollet, Jones continued to attend and maintain his membership at Calvary Baptist Church for the rest of his life.
JUDSON’S CORNERSTONE UPDATE
Our church cornerstone is right around the corner, literally, to the right of the 41st Street entrance to Judson Church. The huge block of limestone is inscribed with our church name, our 1909 year of incorporation, and the year 1914 when our cornerstone was laid and construction of Judson Church began at 41st and Harriet. Judson’s first minister, Justin Wroe Nixon placed a sealed box in the cornerstone containing paper records relating to the history and organization of the church in the prior five years, the merger of Judson and First Free Baptist Churches, and building committee members and officers of the church.
More than a month ago, with the help and equipment of an architect friend, Tom Balcom drilled into the side of the cornerstone and with a boroscope was able to view a portion of the box. A short time later, a much larger hole was drilled to allow the removal of the box. Unfortunately, the box was totally rusted out and falling apart. The papers had absorbed moisture over the years and were a congealed pile of mush. Curator staff from the Midwest Art Conservation Center determined that the paper records could not be recovered and restored.
On June 8th after the church service, we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the cornerstone laying ceremony at the 41st Street entrance. The rusted box and paper contents were on display. We are planning to place a new, much better-sealed container in the cornerstone at another ceremony after a Sunday service this fall. We will then seal up the cornerstone for another 100 years. We want to put in small items, photos, and papers no larger than 8 and a half by 11 inches. Please email your ideas to Tom Balcom or Eileen McLaughlin this summer before the end of August.
By Tom Balcom, Church Historian
While no past record or proof exists, it is very likely that Harry Wild Jones is responsible for naming our church. Because he was an architect and a long-standing member of our parent church, Calvary Baptist at 26th and Blaisdell Avenue, Jones was commissioned to design both our original chapel and our current church building. Now for the rest of the story!
Harry Wild Jones was involved in a near-fatal car accident in 1906. For his recuperation from a fractured skull, Jones took an around-the-world cruise, including an extended stay in Burma. He specifically went to Burma because his grandfather Jones did missionary work there with Adoniram Judson during the early to mid-1800s. He learned firsthand about the valuable contributions to the well-being of the Burmese people and their country by Judson, his grandfather, and other 19th century Baptist missionaries in Burma.
Upon Jones’ return to Minneapolis in 1907, he designed a chapel for Calvary’s mission church two miles to the southwest in a new growing neighborhood. At that time, I’m convinced that Harry Wild Jones gave our church the name “Judson Memorial Baptist Church” because of his admiration for the missionary work of Adoniram Judson and his grandfather Jones. In addition, Adoniram Judson was a famous graduate of Brown University, a college deeply rooted in religion, where Harry attended before getting his architecture degree from MIT. Finally, using “Memorial” in a building name was a common practice for recognizing important people and their role in founding institutions such as churches, schools, and hospitals in the early 1900s. Coincidentally, for over 40 years, Jones lived just a block from the Washburn Memorial Orphan Asylum (where Ramsey Junior High School is today).
JUDSON’S CORNERSTONE UPDATE
Our church cornerstone is right around the corner, literally, to the right of the 41st Street entrance to Judson Church. The huge block of limestone is inscribed with our church name, our 1909 year of incorporation, and the year 1914 when our cornerstone was laid and construction of Judson Church began at 41st and Harriet. Judson’s first minister, Justin Wroe Nixon placed a sealed box in the cornerstone containing paper records relating to the history and organization of the church in the prior five years, the merger of Judson and First Free Baptist Churches, and building committee members and officers of the church.
On June 8th after the church service, we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the cornerstone laying ceremony at the 41st Street entrance. The rusted box and paper contents were on display. We are planning to place a new, much better-sealed container in the cornerstone at another ceremony after a Sunday service this fall. We will then seal up the cornerstone for another 100 years. We want to put in small items, photos, and papers no larger than 8 and a half by 11 inches. Please email your ideas to Tom Balcom or Eileen McLaughlin this summer before the end of August.
Judson Memorial Baptist Church FAQs
Question: Where is Judson Memorial Baptist Church located?
Answer: Judson Memorial Baptist Church is located at 4101 Harriet Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Question: Who is Judson Memorial Baptist Church's pastor?
Answer: Judson Memorial Baptist Church's pastor is Reverend G. Travis Norvel.
Question: What time is service at Judson Memorial Baptist Church?
Answer: SUNDAY SERVICE STARTS AT 9:30 am Do you know us? We are seekers, believers, doubters, and dreamers who gather each Sunday at the corner of 41st and Harriet. We are married, partnered, single, gay and straight; we are families at all ages and stages of life. We are theologically progressive and politically diverse - and we welcome all. We are from Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian and many other faith traditions - and from no tradition. We are Judson Memorial Baptist Church. We strive to learn about and live the love of God. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning
Question: What is Judson Memorial Baptist Church's Facebook page?
Answer: https://www.facebook.com/judsonchurch.org/
Question: What is Judson Memorial Baptist Church's website?
Answer: http://www.judsonchurch.org
Question: What denominaiton is Judson Memorial Baptist Church?
Answer: Judson Memorial Baptist Church belongs to Baptist denomination.
Answer: Judson Memorial Baptist Church is located at 4101 Harriet Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Question: Who is Judson Memorial Baptist Church's pastor?
Answer: Judson Memorial Baptist Church's pastor is Reverend G. Travis Norvel.
Question: What time is service at Judson Memorial Baptist Church?
Answer: SUNDAY SERVICE STARTS AT 9:30 am Do you know us? We are seekers, believers, doubters, and dreamers who gather each Sunday at the corner of 41st and Harriet. We are married, partnered, single, gay and straight; we are families at all ages and stages of life. We are theologically progressive and politically diverse - and we welcome all. We are from Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian and many other faith traditions - and from no tradition. We are Judson Memorial Baptist Church. We strive to learn about and live the love of God. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning
Question: What is Judson Memorial Baptist Church's Facebook page?
Answer: https://www.facebook.com/judsonchurch.org/
Question: What is Judson Memorial Baptist Church's website?
Answer: http://www.judsonchurch.org
Question: What denominaiton is Judson Memorial Baptist Church?
Answer: Judson Memorial Baptist Church belongs to Baptist denomination.
Give me a steadfast heart
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Judson Memorial Baptist Church listing was last updated on the 10th of June, 2018
