Congregational Church of Excelsior (Excelsior, Minn.)

The founding members, who represented four different Christian denominations, named the church the First Independent Church of Excelsior and Chanhassan. The church was renamed the First Congregational Church of Excelsior when it was incorporated in 1869. It has been known as the Congregational Church of Excelsior since 1906.

The Congregational Church of Excelsior was founded in July 1853 by ten members of the Excelsior Pioneer Association, which had been organized in New York City the preceding November for the purpose of migrating as a body to Minnesota Territory to establish a settlement on the southern shore of Lake Minnetonka. The founding members, who represented four different Christian denominations, named the church the First Independent Church of Excelsior and Chanhassan (in its early years the church served not only the Excelsior settlement but also one in nearby Chanhassen Township in Carver County). The church was renamed the First Congregational Church of Excelsior when it was incorporated in 1869. It has been known as the Congregational Church of Excelsior since 1906.

A Sunday School was started in 1854 and a church building was constructed during 1870-1871. The Congregational Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, an outgrowth of the Young People's Union organized ca. 1883, was established in 1887 to promote a Christian life, friendships, and service to God among its members.

Publications in the Minnesota Historical Society's print collection contain additional information on the history of the church.