Thursday, March 28, 2024

The mystery of the Disappearing Church…

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. — Acts 2:42

 

In 1858, the First Congregational Church was planted in Mantorville where it served the community alongside the Hubble House, the post office, a store and a few mills. Over 164 years, Mantorville grew up and the community changed.

The church changed as well. It changed its name a few times, it left the UCC, the church building grew. Then, starting in the 1990’s it faded from prominence as a gathering place and hub of the community and became forgotten by many; a piece of Mantorville’s history, a curious building to visit on the walking tour.

Much like the church in Acts, the church continued faithfully gathering. A small body coming together each week to give glory to God. First Congregational Church of Mantorville called me to restart a church where it stood. It isn’t gone, but it has changed. We have named this new church StoneBridge Community Church, and it’s the newest old church — or the oldest new church — you may ever visit. We have the history of 164 years in Mantorville, but we’re starting things new. We take God seriously and ourselves lightly.

We named ourselves StoneBridge because we want to be a bridge for the neighborhood to Christ, and that’s what we’re doing. We hope you’ve seen us out in the community, with hot chocolate and lemonade at events and just doing our best to love on you. We’re a bible-believing, Christ-teaching, neighbor-loving, hope-spreading, community-is-our-middle-name kind of church.

Working to restart the church, we see God breathing new life into old bones. And we find a new call to devotion. A call to that old faith made new. That devotion that Luke wrote about in Acts: to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

With spring activities calling you out, spend time on your old devotions, building up those tried-and-true things, a devotion to the teachings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Of Paul and Peter. Spend time in fellowship and return to the church body you call home. Or if you don’t have one, come discover your new neighborhood church in StoneBridge. We’d love to welcome you soon.

Photo: Paul Singleton StoneBridge  Community Church  in Mantorville

 

Dodge County Independent

Dodge County Independent
Dodge County ADvantage
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

Dodge County Printing
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

507-634-7503
 
Hours: 
Monday-Thursday 10a.m.-3p.m.