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

• key historic association: Maria Sanford, 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)

• the building is in an eclectic Queen Anne style, with its asymmetrical front facade and contrasting towers

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 details and banding, using decorative wood shingling, restoring two-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