Contact us!
office@chaskamoravian.org
952-448-4000
115 E 4th Street
Chaska, MN, 55318
M, W, F 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
What’s a Moravian?
The Moravian Church traces its roots back to 1457 from the original Czech Unity of the Brethren. We are one of the oldest Protestant Denominations in existence, and we exist all over the world in small pockets, the largest of which is on the Swahili coast in Africa. We have always claimed simplicity in our theology, and placed great emphasis on the fellowship of the body of Christ. We affirm most if not all of the same creeds as other Christian denominations. We also have affirmed Jesus Christ as the Chief Elder of our Church since 1741, essentially proclaiming that no one person can govern the Church alone, and that our Savior is the only one worthy of that title. The modern Moravian Church organizes itself into a Unity of Provinces, all governed by individual synods. Each congregation is governed by its own yearly synod we call Church council. The Moravian motto you see in the seal adjacent, reads: “Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow him” in English. Another motto the Church has adopted through the years is: In essentials, Unity; In nonessentials, Liberty; In all things, Love” Overall, we recognize ourselves as a Church in need of God’s grace on a daily basis, and strive to serve the Holy Trinity alongside our siblings in Christ, and Interfaith partners until He comes. If you’d like to learn more, try: https://www.moravian.org/what-we-believe/
Serving Christ since 1858
Chaska Moravian Church was founded on January 1, 1858, making it the oldest church in Chaska and the first Moravian congregation in Minnesota. It began at the request of members from the Hopedale Moravian Church in Pennsylvania, with Pastor Martin Erdmann arriving just before Christmas in 1857 to help establish the new church in what was then called “Shaska.”
The congregation first met in a member’s home until a parsonage and later the church building were constructed. Rev. Erdmann also helped start preaching sites in the area, including where Lake Auburn and Zoar Moravian Churches now stand.
Early on, the church explored education but soon shifted its focus to serving the area’s English-speaking residents, as most locals spoke German. Today, in the spirit of our founders, Chaska Moravian Church remains committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all people—no matter their background or life circumstances.