Set on a hill overlooking the St. Croix River in the small town of Afton, Minnesota, Memorial Lutheran Church of Afton has been gathering neighbors and proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ since 1882. What began as a fellowship of Swedish immigrants has grown into a diverse community rooted in faith, scripture, and a conviction that Christ calls the congregation to love and serve the world with open hearts and helping hands.
A Congregation That Welcomes Everyone Without Exception
Memorial describes itself as a small, inclusive congregation and a proud member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, part of the Saint Paul Area Synod. The church's mission is to be "a beacon of hope in our community and beyond," welcoming all to come and see and experience love through Christ. People of every age, gender, and life circumstance are invited to participate fully in the life of the congregation. The church building, completed in 1965, sits on the same hilltop that has anchored this community for more than a century.
Sunday Worship: Liturgy with Contemporary Music
Worship takes place each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The service blends traditional Lutheran liturgy with more contemporary music, creating what the church calls an uplifting and renewing experience for everyone who walks through the doors. Holy Communion is offered every Sunday, with gluten-free bread and juice available, and all are invited to the table.
When weather prevents gathering in person, services move online and can be joined via livestream on Memorial's Facebook page. For those who cannot attend in person on a given Sunday, recordings of welcome, gospel, message, music, and prayers remain accessible afterward.
What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor
Visitors are encouraged to come as they are. The community wears everything from jeans and t-shirts to dresses and ties, and there is no dress code to navigate. After the service, everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall for coffee, treats, and a chance to meet other members.
Families with young children will find several options. Children ages two through fifth grade are invited after the Children's Message to join Jesus and Me (JAM), Memorial's mid-service Sunday School program filled with Bible stories, songs, and craft projects. Children return to the Sanctuary in time for communion. A cry room with sound-proof glass offers a quieter space for nursing or feeding, and a clean nursery with speakers lets little ones wiggle while parents still hear the service. Throughout the year, families can also look forward to a Christmas play, Trunk or Treat, VBS Summer Camp, and cookie-decorating and ornament-making events.
Music Ministry: Choirs, Bells, and Advent Vespers
Music is central to worship at Memorial. The Music Ministry, led by Music Minister Jake Dreifort, brings together bell choir, choral choir, and instrumental ensembles that accompany services throughout the year. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome to participate. The signature event of the music calendar is Advent Vespers, a celebratory worship service that ushers in the holiday season with music and word, followed by a festive Scandinavian-heritage meal in the Fellowship Hall - complete with lefse.
Growing in Faith at Every Age
Memorial nurtures faith formation across the lifespan. Children's ministry plants the seeds of faith through JAM Sunday School and a one-week VBS Summer Camp that combines meaningful Bible stories with the fun of camp life. Confirmation is a two-year journey for sixth and seventh graders who gather after Sunday worship to explore God's love revealed in scripture, creeds, prayer, and people; confirmands then declare their faith before the congregation.
Adults continue to grow through Bible studies, book groups, and Sunday forums. Three small groups meet regularly: Beer and Bible gathers monthly in homes for a meal, conversation, and Bible study; a Tuesday morning Women's Bible Study meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. using the Gather magazine; and Contemplative Prayer (Centering Prayer) meets Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the Gathering Room.
Care Ministries That Reach Beyond the Walls
Five ongoing ministries extend Memorial's care into the congregation and the wider community. The Addiction and Mental Health Ministry welcomes those wrestling with addiction and mental illness, hosts a weekly AA group on Saturday mornings, and serves as a free distribution site for Naloxone (Narcan) and drug testing strips, available during office hours. The Visiting Ministry sends teams to members who cannot attend worship, offering encouragement, conversation, and prayer during times of illness, transition, or bereavement. The Meal Ministry coordinates food and gift cards from Let's Dish and other restaurants for members who are sick, recovering, welcoming a new baby, or grieving. The Quilting Ministry gathers every Monday at 9:30 a.m. to create quilts that go to Lutheran World Relief and local women and youth shelters; no sewing experience is required.
The Prairie Renewal Ministry, launched in 2024 by Memorial's Outdoor Property Team, is transforming part of the church grounds into a place of beauty, rest, and spiritual renewal. With two grants - a $7,214 Stewardship Grant and a $1,500 Pollinator Pathways Grant - the team is enhancing trails built in 2025, creating resting places for contemplation, and building an outdoor labyrinth for prayer. A fire pit and sledding hill round out the outdoor space.
Outreach and Service in the St. Croix Valley and Beyond
Memorial partners with several organizations to address the needs of neighbors near and far. A donation bin in the Fellowship Hall supports Valley Outreach in Stillwater with personal hygiene items on a rotating schedule, and the congregation organizes food drives, toy drives, and an annual coat drive. Additional benevolence flows to Neighbors Inc in South St. Paul, Shobi's Table (a Saint Paul Area Synod mission development site), Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, the Saint Paul Area Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response, and the wider ELCA.
The Memorial Endowment Fund, built from generous gifts over the years, disperses thousands of dollars annually to nonprofits such as The Dwelling Place, Shobi's Table, River Valley Riders, Humble Walk, Christ's Footprints in Africa, ComMUSICation, the Center of Addiction and Faith, and ACM India, alongside scholarships for students pursuing further education.
Life Events: Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, and a Columbarium
Memorial walks alongside members through life's major milestones. Baptisms are celebrated during Sunday morning worship as a sign that the baptized are made one with Christ and with the whole people of God. The pastor and Church Life Coordinator work with couples who wish to be married at Memorial, and funerals are supported with a downloadable planning guide and pastoral care. A columbarium on the church grounds offers a sacred place for cremated remains, with single niches priced at $3,000 and double niches at $4,000.
A Building Shared with the Community
From homeschool groups and troop meetings to organizational gatherings and special events, Memorial welcomes neighbors to make use of its building and grounds. A reserve-space form is available for those who would like to rent space, and a staff member follows up with each request. A Capital Campaign launched to address vital repairs has already raised more than $196,000 toward restroom remodels, a Fellowship Hall AC replacement, carpet replacement, and Sanctuary window repair.
Leadership and Staff
Pastor Karen Treat, a second-career pastor and former oncology and faith community nurse who completed her Master of Divinity at Luther Seminary, leads the congregation alongside Minister of Finance Scott Prunty, Music Minister Jake Dreifort, Church Life Coordinator Elise Winter, Office Administrator Laura Fritts, Special Projects coordinator Cari Hayes, and Custodial Manager Sara Sullivan. The congregation is governed by a Leadership Team including President Jerry Engebretson, Vice President Thad Heimendinger, Treasurer George Clements, and Secretary Nicole Twisk.
Getting Connected
The church office is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at 15730 Afton Blvd S, Afton, MN 55001. Visitors and members can reach the office at 651-436-1138 or office@memoriallutheran.org. Prayer requests may be submitted online, and the One Church Software app keeps members connected through Apple and Android devices. Weekly e-news, seasonal newsletters, and a monthly calendar keep the community informed of everything happening on the hill above the St. Croix.