The Building

The building and its history

The Como Congregational Church and community center building – 

• since 1886, the Como cultural landmark, historic icon, original neighborhood assembly hall 

• key historic association:  James Elwell, Como neighborhood founder, Minneapolis park system public funding architect, principal original creator of the building with local community assembly service intention 

• key historic association:  Maria Sanford, civic reformer, family and wilderness activist (Itasca and Chippewa Forest, WCTU), first woman U MN professor, called "the best loved woman in Minnesota" for her public service work 

• key historic association:  Charles Sedgwick, Minneapolis master architect (also known for Dayton's Building, Westminster Church), who has nine buildings on the National Register

• the building is in an eclectic Queen Anne style, with its asymmetrical front facade and contrasting towers / restoration work has replaced the upper wall shingle panels and restored the building's historic two-color scheme

Above:  The building in about 1920.
Below:  A concept drawing showing potential restoration of the architectural intent of the front exterior facade:   adding back in  decorative details and  banding, reinstalling period appearance scallop shakes, restoring two color tone appearance. (Image courtesy of Urban Canopies)

Want to know more?   At Wikipedia, read about Congregational building history and its deep associations with these figures from Minneapolis history:
James Elwell   Maria Sanford   Charles Sedgwick