The Beginning: 1861
Episcopal clergy establish a preaching circuit across central Dakota County, which included Lakeville, where Daniel Thurston and his sons, John and Sumner had taken up homesteads in 1855. The Thurstons became ardent supporters, with the first recorded service being in Daniel Thurston's residence.
1867
By this year, Bishop Henry B. Whipple and other clergy were holding occasional services in Farmington and Episcopalian families began to talk "parish" and "building".
The Building: 1871 - 1873
The Bell: 1882
1907
The Rev'd Doctor W. P. TenBroeck, professor at Seabury Divinity School in Faribault and part-time rector of the parish, led efforts to construct a 44' x 18' Guild Hall, which incorporated the small vesting room of 1871. It provided a 8' x 18' vestry room in which TenBroeck could stay overnight, and a 38' x 18' room to be used for Sunday school and Ladies' Guild activities.
1914
Chapel and Guild Hall were wired for electric lights.
1916
The original Gothic chancel window was replaced by a round stained glass window. It was given in memory of Dr. TenBroeck, who had died in 1913 after 51 years in the priesthood.
1924-1930
Decline in church membership due to closing of railroad yards and removal of many families led to the ceasing of regular Episcopal services.
The property was maintained by surviving families and rented by Lutherans who eventually became Farmington Lutheran Church.
June 27, 1933
A congregation, revitalized by a number of new families, was led by Bishops McElwain and Keeler in a 60th anniversary celebration of the consecration of the chapel and its reopening.
1960
The church was rewired for side-lights and chandeliers by the A. C. Smith family.
1961-1962
Major renovations undertaken: replacement of the west wall of the chancel;
removal of the oil heater in the chapel with a gas furnace installed in the Guild Hall;
removal of the partition between sacristy/vestry and meeting rooms;
paneling the walls, and lowering the ceiling.
The enlarged room was dedicated the Griebie Room after the pioneer family which has provided several generations of faithful members past and present.
1972
The belfry was rebuilt as a memorial to Jessie Griebie Paulette by her children.
1973-1975
July 27th Bishop Kellogg officiated at the Consecration anniversary service.
Earlier that month, younger people of the congregation had excavated by hand for a new foundation. During the summer, water and sewer were brought into the building, and the Griebie Room was remodeled to provide space for a kitchen and lavatory.
Plans for a 25' x 50' parish hall had been drawn up by architect Michael Sly, a member of the congregation. When he and his wife died in an automobile accident, Sly's firm of Stegner, Hendrikson, McNutt & Sullivan gave architectural oversight to its construction to contractor Emery Hall.
July 27th, 1976
Dedication by the Rector, Richard K. Smith, and October 26th consecration by Bishop McNairy of the Michael and Lisbeth Sly Room, to be used for education and fellowship, and now providing space for worship.
1979
On December 31, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
1980-1982
Increased membership and activity led to the addition of two rooms behind the Griebie Room to provide for a preschool/nursery and an office.
2007 - 2008
Construction of the labyrinth was completed.
Renovation to restore the steeple, roof, and stained glass in the historic chapel, which is listed in the National Historic Register.
2017 - 2018
Outdoor renovations were completed including new siding and roof. Indoor renovations included new flooring and a kitchen remodel.
Episcopal clergy establish a preaching circuit across central Dakota County, which included Lakeville, where Daniel Thurston and his sons, John and Sumner had taken up homesteads in 1855. The Thurstons became ardent supporters, with the first recorded service being in Daniel Thurston's residence.
1867
By this year, Bishop Henry B. Whipple and other clergy were holding occasional services in Farmington and Episcopalian families began to talk "parish" and "building".
The Building: 1871 - 1873
- July 24th Formation of a parish: The Church of the Advent.
- August 12th Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Minnesota.
- September John H. Thurston, Clerk of the Vestry, began collecting subscriptions for a building.
- October 20th: Lots 2 and 3, Block 12, were purchased for $100 from Selah and Arabella Chamberlain of Cleveland, Ohio.
- November : Construction began of a 18' x 30' frame chapel with 10' x 12' chancel on a prairie stone foundation. Thurston supervised the volunteer labor that crafted the structure and much of its furnishings. Window frames, doors, and pew ends were ordered from a Minneapolis planing mill. Heating was provided by a flat-fronted iron stove. Lighting was by kerosene oil lamps.
- November 25th: Thurston ordered two memorial windows and one chancel (altar) window.
- February 18, 1872: First service conducted by the Rev'd Charles Rollit, Missionary-in-Charge.
- June 27, 1873: The chapel, being debt free, was consecrated by Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple in Farmington and the bell was hung in the belfry (the first bell in Farmington, Minnesota).
- July 1873: The bell arrived and was hung in the belfry.
The Bell: 1882
- Young ladies from Rosemount held an ice cream social at Crystal Lake and netted $80 to purchase a reed pump organ.
1907
The Rev'd Doctor W. P. TenBroeck, professor at Seabury Divinity School in Faribault and part-time rector of the parish, led efforts to construct a 44' x 18' Guild Hall, which incorporated the small vesting room of 1871. It provided a 8' x 18' vestry room in which TenBroeck could stay overnight, and a 38' x 18' room to be used for Sunday school and Ladies' Guild activities.
1914
Chapel and Guild Hall were wired for electric lights.
1916
The original Gothic chancel window was replaced by a round stained glass window. It was given in memory of Dr. TenBroeck, who had died in 1913 after 51 years in the priesthood.
1924-1930
Decline in church membership due to closing of railroad yards and removal of many families led to the ceasing of regular Episcopal services.
The property was maintained by surviving families and rented by Lutherans who eventually became Farmington Lutheran Church.
June 27, 1933
A congregation, revitalized by a number of new families, was led by Bishops McElwain and Keeler in a 60th anniversary celebration of the consecration of the chapel and its reopening.
1960
The church was rewired for side-lights and chandeliers by the A. C. Smith family.
1961-1962
Major renovations undertaken: replacement of the west wall of the chancel;
removal of the oil heater in the chapel with a gas furnace installed in the Guild Hall;
removal of the partition between sacristy/vestry and meeting rooms;
paneling the walls, and lowering the ceiling.
The enlarged room was dedicated the Griebie Room after the pioneer family which has provided several generations of faithful members past and present.
1972
The belfry was rebuilt as a memorial to Jessie Griebie Paulette by her children.
1973-1975
July 27th Bishop Kellogg officiated at the Consecration anniversary service.
Earlier that month, younger people of the congregation had excavated by hand for a new foundation. During the summer, water and sewer were brought into the building, and the Griebie Room was remodeled to provide space for a kitchen and lavatory.
Plans for a 25' x 50' parish hall had been drawn up by architect Michael Sly, a member of the congregation. When he and his wife died in an automobile accident, Sly's firm of Stegner, Hendrikson, McNutt & Sullivan gave architectural oversight to its construction to contractor Emery Hall.
July 27th, 1976
Dedication by the Rector, Richard K. Smith, and October 26th consecration by Bishop McNairy of the Michael and Lisbeth Sly Room, to be used for education and fellowship, and now providing space for worship.
1979
On December 31, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
1980-1982
Increased membership and activity led to the addition of two rooms behind the Griebie Room to provide for a preschool/nursery and an office.
2007 - 2008
Construction of the labyrinth was completed.
Renovation to restore the steeple, roof, and stained glass in the historic chapel, which is listed in the National Historic Register.
2017 - 2018
Outdoor renovations were completed including new siding and roof. Indoor renovations included new flooring and a kitchen remodel.