For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:

Savannah Carlson
Communication Director
Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
763.424.8923
scarlson@mnsda.com

Spring Lake Park, MN (January 18, 2023) - Early this morning, emergency responders battled a fire at the St. Paul Eastside Seventh-day Adventist Church. At this time, we are still assessing the extent of the damage to the church. The steeple and roof sustained extensive damage, and as expected, there is significant water damage as well. We are working with the proper authorities to determine what started the fire and to properly assess the building. We expect to receive a final report within two to three weeks. We are so thankful that no one was present or injured at the time of the fire. The church membership will be meeting virtually this evening to decide where and how to hold services while the church building is being assessed.

The St. Paul Eastside Seventh-day Adventist Church, which has 165 members, serves the East St. Paul community. The Seventh-day Adventist church purchased the property on August 18, 1969 and has been serving this community since then. The church provides 80 hot meals the first Sunday per month to the community. Any remaining food is handed out to the homeless in the community. There are several small Bible study and prayer groups that meet on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday that emphasize inviting local community members. They offer free seminars and concerts to the public throughout the year, as well as hosting an annual Vacation Bible School for the children in the community.

If you wish to provide support to the church, please visit the Minnesota Conference website at www.mnsda.com. On our home page, you’ll find a link to give to the church directly.

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The Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the headquarters for a network of Seventh-day Adventist churches and school in Minnesota as part of a global church network of Seventh-day Adventists. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Adventist Church operates 173 hospitals and sanitariums and more than 7,500 schools around the world. Here in Minnesota, our mission is to help people realize they are accepted in Jesus Christ, and come to know, love, serve, and share Him. Our headquarters, located in Spring Lake Park, Minn., employs approximately 40 pastors and Bible workers for more than 110 churches, companies and groups throughout the state.  With eleven elementary schools and one boarding academy, we are passionate about helping our young people meet Christ. We also operate North Star Camp, a summer camp for children, young people and families. The Adventist Church in Minnesota offers a variety of community programs, including crisis response, healthy living resources, and spiritual life resources. For more information about the Minnesota Conference, explore www.mnsda.com or call us at 763.424.8923.