How We Got Here

160 years ago Moravian families from Germany, Hopedale PA, and German-speaking areas in Ohio migrated to Carver County. There was land here, work and opportunity, and the desire to build community for spiritual care, religious instruction, mission and outreach. After a few years, these folks requested that the Moravian Church provide a resident pastor and were sent Brother Martin Erdmann, an American Bible Society minister, to support and encourage these Moravians and their neighbors in their faith. On January 1, 1858, the Chaska congregation was organized, with Br. Erdmann establishing preaching stations in members’ homes, at Zoar, Lake Auburn (Laketown), Shakopee, Henderson, and Bongard’s. The fellowships at Zoar and Lake Auburn were able to continue as congregations. With much help from Br. Henry Gerdsen and a donation of land by John Holtmeier in 1863, the folks at Lake Auburn built a log church on the spot now occupied by the Cemetery. 15 years later, the congregation laid a cornerstone, raised, and dedicated a new brick building on November 17, 1878.

Getting Here

Getting to the Moravian Church of Lake Auburn is easy. We are just West of downtown Victoria on Hwy 5 (Arboretum Blvd) And half-a-mile North on Victoria Drive from the Dairy Queen Between Hwys 5 and 7 on County Road 11 at 7460 Victoria Drive Victoria MN 55386

Getting Involved

Join us for worship on Sundays at 10:00 am in person or online at https://youtube.com/@lakeauburnchurch?si=rfANlvzx279JWzv8 Please check out our events page for other opportunities. Donate to our church here: https://mmfa.info/moravian-church-of-lake-auburn-donation-form/ These are a few of the causes and agencies that are close to our hearts. We hope you’ll take some time to learn more about them and consider offering volunteer and/or financial support.

• Love INC of Eastern Carver County http://loveincecc.org/
• Feed My Starving Children https://www.fmsc.org/
• Bountiful Basket Food Shelf http://bountifulbasketfoodshelf.org/
• Bethesda Lutheran Communities https://www.bethesdalc.org/
• Launch Ministry https://www.launchministry.org/
• Humanity Alliance https://www.humanityalliance.org/
• Moravian Board of World Mission https://www.moravian.org/mission/

So What’s A Moravian?

The Moravian Church is a Christ-centered, Bible-directed, people-oriented denomination with an active congregational life, offering opportunities for worship, study, fellowship and Christian service. Moravians are the oldest worldwide unity of Protestant believers, serving Christ since 1457, beginning in Moravia (present-day Czech Republic). In 1727, renewal swept through the small Moravian community remaining in Germany, inspiring a deep commitment to intercessory prayer and global missions. Today, we are a mainline, evangelical, ecumenical church with a humble approach to faith and life, striving together to live out our motto: “In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; In All Things, Love.” Most importantly, a Moravian is a fellow believer, a follower, a student and servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a place where you will be helped to grow in the Spirit; encouraged in your walk with Jesus; and equipped to share your gifts of faith, love and hope with God and neighbor – we’ve got good news for you!