Faith History
Wayzata Community Church (WCC) has been helping people with their faith journeys for over 120 years. In 1881 twelve people, concerned with their own unfulfilled spiritual needs and the wild, rough, undisciplined life in the area, covenanted together to "bring civilization to the wicked, uncivilized village of Wayzata." These 12 charter members soon adopted a Constitution, a Confession of Faith and a Covenant. With borrowed money, a church was built on a small tract of donated land at the corner of Rice and Walker Streets. The new Congregational Church of Christ in Wayzata was completed and dedicated in September 1881.
Twenty-two people joined the church in the first few months, and by the end of two years the membership had grown to 70. Ten ministers, including one woman, the Rev. Alice R. Palmer, served the Wayzata Congregational Church during its first 27 years. In 1912 a new church was built to accommodate the growing congregation. This building lasted only four years, burning down in February 1916. But in seven months it had been rebuilt - such was the determination of the congregation to "carry on the important work that our church has to perform in this community."
In the fall of 1948, the church officially adopted the name Wayzata Community Church. Also in 1948, ground was broken for a new church on a new site, the corner of Ferndale and old Highway 12 (now Wayzata Boulevard), our current location. On November 27, 1949, the new Wayzata Community Church was dedicated.
Today the church has grown to minister to nearly 3,000 confirmed members, hundreds of children, young people and friends of the congregation. WCC is among the top five largest congregations of the United Church of Christ. It has become a physical and spiritual landmark in the lives of its members and the Wayzata community. Besides regular worship services, people come for Music at Wayzata concert performances, author visits sponsored through the "Lierary Minds" series, classes and workshops, scouting organizations, support groups, WCC’s Nursery School, the justly-famed Annual Women’s Fellowship Rummage Sale, and other nondenominational community events.
The Journey of Faith Continues
In recent years, WCC has dramatically expanded and enhanced its sanctuary, remodeled office and meeting rooms, and added a new Center for Faith and Life to accommodate its growing music, children's, youth and community programming.
The new sanctuary was designed to be an inspiring place to worship God, and to serve as a marvelous concert hall for the community as well. The room’s special acoustics allow people to enjoy the most delicate tones from anywhere in the room. The sanctuary was part of a $4.5 million project that broke ground amid much fanfare on June 13, 1993. It was the church’s most ambitious project to date. Besides the spacious new sanctuary, WCC gained the Piper Library, a new fellowship area called Mithun Hall below the sanctuary, and a large parking lot. The original sanctuary was converted into a gathering place called Founders Hall. The new facilities were dedicated on August 14, 1994.
The Center for Faith and Life
In the late 1990s the needs of the congregation began to outpace the programming space available. Building plans were formulated, and on October 15, 2000, the congregation voted to position WCC for the 21st century by building a new Center for Faith and Life. The $7.7 million project was completed in December 2001.The Center adjoins the already-existing sanctuary and office facilities, and houses youth and children's programming, music ministries, and rooms for congregation and community use. It includes video and computer labs, multi-use meeting rooms and a well-used gym (also called the Great Hall).
