PROGRAMS



MISSION

The Friends fulfills it mission to support the preservation of the church through a variety of educational programs;  Information regarding upcoming education events will be sent to our email membership.  If you are interested in knowing about future educational opportunities please send us your email address to info@friendsofccl.org and we will add you to the notification list.

UPCOMING PROGRAM 2024


BRINGING WORSHIP INTO THE MODERN ERA

75th Anniversary of Eliel Saarinen’s
National Historic Landmark
Christ Church Lutheran

A Celebration of Saarinen’s Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece

November 9, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Reception at 4:00 p.m.

Christ Church Lutheran, 3244 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the Christ Church Lutheran sanctuary in 1949 and the 15th anniversary of the church's recognition as a National Historic Landmark, one of 25 in Minnesota and the only house of worship.

Please join us for a celebratory afternoon of engaging talks and reflections in the sanctuary!

Keynote Address:

Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen, Assistant Dean & Professor, Yale School of Architecture, “Eliel Saarinen’s ‘Untimely’ Architecture,” on Eliel Saarinen’s significance in 20th-Century Modernism, through Christ Church Lutheran

Accompanying Address:

“Christ Church Lutheran, the Saarinens, and the Rise of Spirituality in America,” Jeanne Halgren Kilde, Former Director, Religious Studies Program, University of Minnesota, on how mid-century modernist architects designed spaces for worship and spirituality

This event is free and open to the public.

RSVP requested to info@friendsofccl.org

Sponsored by Christ Church Lutheran
and Friends of Christ Church Lutheran



PAST
LECTURES

The Works of Eero Saarinen,
Dr. Nancy Miller, 2012

St John’s University,
Dr. Victoria Young, 2015

Minnesota Modern,
Larry Millett, 2015

Mid-Century Modern Furniture,
Claire Selkurt, 2016

Saarinen and His Religious Architecture,
Rolf Anderson, 2017

PAST
BOOK
SIGNINGS

One Fine Morning – Memories of My Father,
Dr. Mark Hayes (Mark Hayes with Victor Gilbertson, the architect of record for CCL), 2010

Minnesota Modern, Architecture and Life at Mid-Century,
Larry Millett, 2015

PAST
FUNDRAISING
AND SPECIAL
EVENTS

Luther’s New World: Reforming Europe’s Song,
Concert, 2009

Iltamat: An evening of Finnish Music, Dance and Entertainment,
Silent Auction, 2009

Amerikan Poijat 20th Anniversary Concert, 2010

Good Design is Forever- Finnish Design Exhibit 2012

Music for a Masterpiece Benefit Concert, February 2, 2016