CHURCH PROFILE

Knox Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis, founded in 1907, exists to glorify God and to bless others through Him. The mission of Knox Church is to embody and extend the life and love of Jesus Christ to the people of southwest Minneapolis and beyond, drawing others to God. Knox’s signage encapsulates its vision—“Christ-Centered, Bible-Based.”

Knox Church is seeking a dynamic senior pastor to lead us forward and focus our gifts and energies so that we may flourish as the community we serve recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knox Church, which currently numbers about 70 members, achieves its purpose and mission daily. Through time spent in fellowship, the congregation has become an extended family, with members of all ages. Knox Church shows the love of God and one another through simple acts of service and regular fellowship. The members of Knox Church bring meals when babies are born, and pray and mourn with one another in times of sorrow and trouble. They seek communion with God through corporate prayer, prayer chains, and dedicated small groups. Knox Church normally offers classes for children and adults on Sunday mornings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Knox offers adult classes via Zoom on Saturday mornings and Monday nights, with Wednesday family nights originally via Zoom but now in person. Women’s Bible studies are offered on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Knox has also initiated periodic meetings of the Racial Awareness Group. Knox has long had a reputation as a friendly and loving congregation, both inward and outward, where visitors immediately feel at home. Knox members seek to offer an inviting community where all, and particularly young families, can come to worship and follow the God and Jesus of the Bible, and to be part of an inter-generational family that cares, loves, and supports one another.

Knox Church invests in the lives of those in southwest Minneapolis and beyond by inviting neighborhood children to Vacation Bible Camp and volunteering in a variety of ways. Knox Church works closely with Community Emergency Services (CES), a Christ-centered food shelf and mission center, to support its crisis relief and empowerment ministry. Knox members have volunteered hundreds of hours to continue CES’s food distribution service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Knox Church also partners with the local St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church to feed the working poor through Mobile Loaves Twin Cities. Knox Church also provides a meeting place for individuals challenged with alcohol and other addictions. Knox Church has a long tradition of emphasizing and supporting missions, local, national and international, and a number of its members have become full-time mission workers.

Knox Church founders first met in 1907, spreading the Gospel from a tent at the corner of 43rd and Wentworth Ave. in southwest Minneapolis. As worship services grew, they moved to a two-room chapel nearby in 1909. In 1913, the chapel was moved to Knox’s present location at 4747 Lyndale Avenue South. Knox Church is located in a classic, neo-Gothic limestone building, in a charming, predominantly residential area in the 55419 zip code, which has a median age of 37 and a median household income of $86,000. Knox Church is only 1.5 blocks from the nearest public park, 4.5 blocks from Washburn High School, and 9 blocks from Lake Harriet, a part of a chain of lakes with extensive walking and bicycle paths and recreational opportunities. Minneapolis is the largest city in the State of Minnesota, with a population of 420,324. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area has a population of 3,657,477, 16th largest in the United States.

Today, Knox Church is part of a dynamic and growing denomination called A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO). ECO’s Essential Tenets & Constitution may be found here.

Knox’s current professional staff includes a transitional pastor and a youth, children’s and worship leader. Knox has a talented worship band and choir, and its worship services typically blend contemporary and traditional music. Knox has a Session of seven ruling elders and a Deacon’s board of six deacons. Each Session member has responsibility for one or more areas to ensure the smooth operation of the church, including Worship, Adult Education, Youth and Children Education, Missions, Family Ministries, Building & Grounds, Finance, Stewardship, Nominating, Strategic Planning, and Personnel. Knox is financially stable and debt free, with one of its endowment funds devoted entirely to missions.

Knox seeks to grow as a community of faithful believers in southwest Minneapolis who have dedicated their lives to Glorifying God and blessing others through Him. Knox’s vision, as expressed in Knox’s recently completed strategic plan, is outward-looking:

“To be a growing, vital and dynamic church, and a congregation of various ages, ethnic, religious and social backgrounds. But it’s not just about the numbers; rather, we envision children, teens and adults growing in their understanding of the amazing grace and mercy of God and in their desire to follow Him. Through the work of our people and partnerships with others, we see Knox as a neighborhood hub, serving the community with engaging and relevant classes, family activities, and reaching out to care for those in need.”