St John the Divine Episcopal Church

St. John the Divine was constructed in 1898 to 1899 by famous architect Cass Gilbert. Known for his classical designs, Cass Gilbert (1859-1934) went on to work on many buildings including the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C., the Woolworth Building in Manhattan, New York, and the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, MN. Many of his works are still standing today. He designed over 39 projects, of which some were more extensive or included multiple buildings, etc. Cass Gilbert started his work in Minnesota in 1882 and continued to 1895 and attracted national attention for his work on the Minnesota State Capitol building. It is especially important as Cass Gilbert moved his practice to New York City in 1899 shortly after receiving a commission for the US Custom House/George Gustav Heye Center.[1] It was to his work on the Minnesota State Capital in 1895 that had started his rise to fame. Thus his work on St. John the Divine occurred just before he moved onto larger projects all over the country.[2]

As for St. John the Divine’s style, this church’s architecture is similar to other Episcopal churches in the nineteenth century, but distinct in a few key ways. It brings together architectural features that often people wouldn’t consider. In parts of the church, the roof almost dips to the ground. In contrast, it has a steep witch’s hat roof and a thin octagonal chimney. These features are quite contrasting; however, Gilbert manages to make it work in a way that is not blinding.[3]

As for its religious origins, on May 13, 1873, the first Episcopal church service was held in a Northern Pacific Railway coach.[4] A Presbyterian minister presided over the original service. The same year, Bishop Henry B. Whipple, the first Minnesota Episcopal bishop, held the first confirmation service.[5] In 1876, the church organization purchased an unnamed chapel so as to have some roof over their heads.[6] Then, as previously stated, Cass Gilbert constructed the building starting in 1898.

In the winter of 1945, a devastating fire broke out in the church basement. It originated from a faulty furnace during a Sunday school session, though no one was injured. The west end of the church was severely damaged including the stained-glass windows.[7] These were eventually replaced, but they were not the same as the original.[8] In 1967, the church was added to the Minnesota Register of Historic Places. Over ten years later, in 1980, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[9] In the 1990s, the church, despite its location in Minnesota, became a congregation of the Diocese of North Dakota due to its close proximity to the North Dakota border.[10] In 2000, St. John the Divine became a church shared with Sudanese refugees as well as other ethnic minorities in the Fargo/Moorhead area.[11] This saved the church as its congregation was slowly dwindling up until that point. Unlike many churches in the area, there are services held for non-English speakers including Arabic and Dinka. Additionally, the church provides scholarships to support those in other countries to receive an education.[12] In 2019, the church’s roof was re-done, replacing the asphalt shingles with insulation and cedar shakes. This took a large contribution on the community’s part including a $134,520 grant from the Minnesota Historical Society and a $30,000 grant from a 2017 fundraiser.[13]

Originally, the congregation did not even have a church, eventually building St. John, which has faced fire and general deterioration to be restored every time. This building stands as a monument of Moorhead’s past and of Cass Gilbert’s presence in Minnesota. This church still stands with services every Sunday for those who might be interested.  

[1] “Cass Gilbert: The Early Years,” Minnesota Historical Society, accessed March 24, 2021, https://www.mnhs.org/mnhspress/books/cass-gilbert.

[2] Kate Roberts, “Gilbert, Cass (1859-1934),” MNopedia, 2007, https://www.mnopedia.org/person/gilbert-cass-1859-1934.

[3] David Gebhard, A Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1978), 224.

[4] B.T. Mackall, “Early History of Church work in Moorhead and Fargo,” 1887, Box 1, Minnesota State University Moorhead Archives, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN. accessed February 20, 2021.

[5] “Church of St. John the Divine (S845),” Minnesota State University Moorhead, accessed March 24, 2021, https://www2.mnstate.edu/northwest-mn/s845.aspx?pageid=2147524477.; Blodgett, Cass Gilbert: the Early Years.,

[6] B.T. Mackall, “Early History of Church work in Moorhead and Fargo.”

[7] Robin Huebner, “’A gem’: Historic Moorhead church seeks help for new wood shingle roof,” Inforum, August 5, 2017, https://www.inforum.com/news/4307984-gem-historic-moorhead-church-seeks-help-new-wood-shingle-roof/

[8] Bob Lind, “Bob Lind column: Neighbors: Sudanese reverend savors citizenship,” Inforum, July 22, 2003, https://www.inforum.com/opinion/2718272-bob-lind-column-neighbors-sudanese-reverend-savors-citizenship.

[9] Tom Harvey, “Minnesota Historic Properties Inventory Form: St. John the Divine Episcopal Church,” Minnesota Historical Society, October 1979. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/b206428c-a573-4e43-b94e-62809c9a80e5.

[10] “St. John the Divine, Moorhead,” Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota, Accessed March 24, 2021, https://ndepiscopal.org/about/ministries/congregations/st-johns-moorhead/

[11] “St. John the Divine Episcopal Church,” Episcopal Asset Map, Accessed March 24, 2021, https://www.episcopalassetmap.org/dioceses/diocese-north-dakota/list/st-johns-episcopal-church-0

[12] John Lamb, “Moorhead church hits the roof to save historic structure,” Inforum, July, 29, 2019, https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/faith/4040753-Moorhead-church-hits-the-roof-to-save-historic-structure.

[13] “Permit – Building: B-19-000387,” City of Moorhead, Accessed March 25, 2021, https://www.moorheadproperty.org/Permit/B-19-000387.

“Cass Gilbert: The Early Years.” Minnesota Historical Society. Accessed March 24, 2021, https://www.mnhs.org/mnhspress/books/cass-gilbert.

“Church of St. John the Divine (S845).” Minnesota State University Moorhead. Accessed March 24, 2021. https://www2.mnstate.edu/northwest-mn/s845.aspx?pageid=2147524477.

Gebhard, David, A Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1978.

Harvey, Tom. “Minnesota Historic Properties Inventory Form: St. John the Divine Episcopal Church.” Minnesota Historical Society. October 1979. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/b206428c-a573-4e43-b94e-62809c9a80e5.

Huebner, Robin. “‘A gem’: Historic Moorhead church seeks help for new wood shingle roof.” Inforum. August 5, 2017. https://www.inforum.com/news/4307984-gem-historic-moorhead-church-seeks-help-new-wood-shingle-roof.

Lamb, John. “Moorhead church hits the roof to save historic structure.” Inforum. July, 29, 2019. https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/faith/4040753-Moorhead-church-hits-the-roof-to-save-historic-structure.

Lind, Bob. “Bob Lind column: Neighbors: Sudanese reverend savors citizenship.” Inforum. July 22, 2003. https://www.inforum.com/opinion/2718272-bob-lind-column-neighbors-sudanese-reverend-savors-citizenship.

Mackall, B.T., “Early History of Church work in Moorhead and Fargo,” 1887. Box 1. Minnesota State University Moorhead Archives, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN. Accessed February 20, 2021.

“Permit – Building: B-19-000387.” City of Moorhead. Accessed March 25, 2021. https://www.moorheadproperty.org/Permit/B-19-000387.

Roberts, Kate. “Gilbert, Cass (1859-1934).” MNopedia. 2007. https://www.mnopedia.org/person/gilbert-cass-1859-1934.

“St. John the Divine Episcopal Church,” Episcopal Asset Map. Accessed March 24, 2021. https://www.episcopalassetmap.org/dioceses/diocese-north-dakota/list/st-johns-episcopal-church-0.