History

1943

A bible study of college students and adults formed The Wayside Chapel started on Nicollet Avenue in Richfield, Minnesota.

1949

The Wayside Chapel joined the Minnesota Baptist Conference and changed its name to Wooddale Baptist Church.

1977

Leith Anderson begins the first of his 35 years as Senior Pastor.

Planning for growth focused on a clear philosophy and direction of the church, building lay and professional staff for an equipping ministry, a major shift toward outreach, and relocation to provide adequate facilities for the future. Wooddale soon became known as A Place to Belong … A Place to Become.

1981-1985

32 acres of land were purchased in Eden Prairie anticipating a 9-mile church move. The church name was shortened to Wooddale Church, welcoming people from any denominational background.

To further accommodate growth and the number of new families reached, construction began in fall of 1983 and the first phase of the new campus (a multi-purpose worship room, administrative offices and classrooms) was occupied in July of 1984. The second phase, which included a gymnasium and additional classroom and office space, was occupied in November of 1985.

1990

Wooddale Church opened a new 2,000-seat Worship Center to accommodate the growing congregation. A Visser-Rowland Pipe Organ was incorporated into the Worship Center. The steeple was designed as a beacon of hope for those driving by.

1991

Consistent with its focus on outreach and kingdom building, Wooddale planted its first of 9 daughter churches, Woodridge Church, in Medina, Minnesota with a group of Wooddalers providing the founding core.

1994

Multiple worship styles began, celebrating the diversity of worship styles and reaching out to our community.

1997

Wooddale has DNA of being innovative in reaching out to people. A service was started in a local restaurant and a radio ministry began. Faith Matters, the radio ministry of Wooddale Church, was first broadcast as a 30-minute program on local radio stations and eventually syndicated nationally with shorter ‘minute’ broadcasts on TV, internet and during major sporting events.

2003

Wooddale Church voted to affiliate with an additional denomination – The Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, reflecting the diversity of Wooddalers’ denominational connections and seeking to enhance outreach to people of various backgrounds.

2007

An additional worship service called The Gathering began on Sunday nights. Teaching remained consistent among all worship services.

2008

Wooddale opened its second campus, located in Edina, offering a multi-site approach for service, bible study, children’s programs and a venue for weddings, funerals and other events. The building and property were gifted from Colony Park Baptist Church.

2010

An outreach ministry to Eden Prairie’s growing Somali population began as volunteers reach out through tutoring and friendships.

2011

Leith Anderson retired as Wooddale’s Senior Pastor

2013

Dale Hummel is called to become the new Senior Pastor.

2014

Wooddale Academy receives accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

2015

The church launches Vision ’22, to impart the hope of the gospel to 700,000 people here, near and far and to provide a clear pathway toward spiritual maturity.

2016

Consistent with the goals of Vision ’22, a third campus is introduced in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. Located at historic Music Box Theatre, this site offers a unique Sunday worship experience and is host to many other outreach events as we seek to reach the city for Jesus Christ.

Lydia’s Coffeehouse opens its doors at the Eden Prairie campus providing a comfortable gathering place to reach and serve our neighbors in the surrounding community.

2018

The 75th Anniversary Celebration provides an opportunity to thank God for all He’s done through Wooddale Church, recognize those whose service has impacted countless lives throughout our history and a time to look forward to what God has planned for the years ahead.

2019

7 Corners Coffee was launched as an outreach to the University of Minnesota.

2020

A second 7 Corners Coffee location was launched in Wooddale’s Eden Prairie campus, replacing Lydia’s Coffeehouse.

2022

Legacy of Hope
Building upon our past and looking toward our future, God called Wooddale Church to realize a vision of living and leaving a Legacy of Hope. This included being called to build a resilient hope in the next generation of believers, an innovative hope that finds new ways to share Christ with new people in new places, and an exponential hope where disciples make disciple makers who expand the gospel here, near and far.

2023

Family Resource Initiative launch
Wooddale launched the Family Resource Initiative to bring hope to households in and around our communities — many of which would not otherwise connect with Wooddale Church. The Family Resource Initiative offers help and hope in relationships, parenting, mental health, community service, finances, recovery, grief and more.

The Avenue launch
In September 2023, Wooddale launched a new campus at the University of Minnesota called The Avenue. Partnering with the Anselm House, a Christian ministry based at Melrose Station, The Avenue is a gathering of college students who are building friendships, growing in their faith and sharing life experiences.

Plant Miracle City Church
In 2018, God provided an opportunity for Wooddale Church to purchase the Music Box Theater. It became the home of our Loring Park campus. In 2023, it was officially commissioned and planted as Wooddale’s 10th daughter church and named Miracle City Church.

2024

Dale Hummel retires
Dale Hummel retired as Wooddale’s Senior Pastor and became the Pastor of Kingdom Initiatives.

Kyle Robinson named new senior pastor
After serving as Wooddale’s Executive Pastor since 2017, Kyle Robinson was called as Wooddale’s sixth Senior Pastor. He served as Wooddale’s Edina Campus Pastor from 2014-17.

7 Corners Coffee East Bank opens
7 Corners Coffee opened its East Bank location in the Anselm House at the University of Minnesota, becoming the third location of 7 Corners Coffee.