Lake Harriet United Methodist Church

What Lake Harriet United Methodist Church does

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church is a Minneapolis-based United Methodist congregation founded on September 9, 1907, currently operating at 4901 Chowen Ave S. in the Linden Hills neighborhood, with a wholly-owned early childhood subsidiary, Lake Harriet UM Preschool, founded in 1953. The church runs an integrated portfolio of ministries including weekly in-person worship, an online worship livestream distributed via YouTube and churchcasting.io, a multi-ensemble music program, intergenerational community theater (Lake Harriet Players, founded 2001), ALSET adult learning classes, and age-segmented connection groups spanning young adults (YAC, 22-32) through seniors. Children, youth, and family ministries cover nursery through 12th grade, including Godly Play, milestone ministries, and a 38-year-running Appalachia Service Project youth mission trip commitment.

Revenue is generated through tithes and offerings from the congregation, dedicated donations (Lenten Offering, Rental Assistance Fund, DHH Food Drive), preschool and child care tuition, facility rentals, and targeted capital campaigns — most recently the $300,000 Welcoming Children Initiative launched January 2024. The operating technology stack is composed of commodity SaaS: Constant Contact for email, SignUpGenius for volunteer scheduling, Realm (onrealm.org) for member management and online giving, YouTube for livestream, and Google Calendar for event publishing. The church operates under denominational polity within the Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, is affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and maintains Safe Sanctuaries child protection compliance.

Community engagement is structured around a deep partnership network: ownership of the Joyce Uptown Foodshelf building since 2012 (contributing >10% of its operating budget in 2022), weekend food bag support for 40 children at Lyndale Elementary via Every Meal, Beacon Interfaith Housing advocacy, Feed My Starving Children volunteering, and donations to the Immigrant Law Center of MN. Current capacity expansion includes an education wing renovation and new child care center that opened September 2024.

Name

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church

Legal name

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church

Website

https://lakeharrietumc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Minneapolis-based United Methodist congregation (founded 1907) operating weekly worship, a preschool and child care center, youth and adult ministries, community theater, and outreach programs funded by tithes, donations, tuition, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Faith community programs
• Preschool education
• Community outreach
• Liturgical music ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Traditional church giving through weekly offerings and tithes from congregation members during worship services.
2. Donations and Charitable Giving: Various donation streams including Lenten Offering, Rental Assistance Fund, DHH Food Drive, and capital campaign for child care center expansion ($300,000 goal over 18 months).
3. Preschool Tuition: Lake Harriet UM Preschool founded in 1953 provides early childhood education (infants, toddlers, and preschool) as an outreach ministry. Expanded to include full daycare. Revenue supports preschool operations and church ministry.
4. Facility Rental: Church building is rented out for community events. Owns Joyce Uptown Foodshelf building since 2012, providing operating budget support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church provides weekly Protestant worship services both in-person at its Minneapolis sanctuary and online via YouTube livestream, supported by music ministries, children's and youth programs, and adult spiritual enrichment classes. The church also operates Lake Harriet UM Preschool (early childhood education since 1953) and an extensive portfolio of community outreach programs addressing food insecurity, housing instability, and social justice. Donations, tithes, preschool tuition, and facility rentals sustain operations.

Product overview

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church offers a diverse portfolio of spiritual and community programs centered around its core worship services and extended ministries. The church provides both in-person and online worship (livestreamed via YouTube), supported by a comprehensive music program. Key programs include Lake Harriet UM Preschool (early childhood education since 1953), Children/Youth/Family Ministries (nursery through 12th grade), Lake Harriet Players Community Theatre (intergenerational theater since 2001), Connection Groups (small groups for various demographics), Adult Learning and Spiritual Enrichment (ALSET), and Outreach Programs (food security, housing justice, mission trips). The church utilizes Realm for member management and donations, Constant Contact for email communications, and SignUpGenius for volunteer coordination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lake Harriet UM Preschool: Early childhood education center founded in 1953 as an outreach of the church, providing infant, toddler, and preschool care programs.

Products and services

• Online Worship Service Robust online worship streaming service with Sunday livestream at 9:30 am, accessible to people across the metro area and beyond Minnesota. Includes worship bulletin downloads and prayer request submissions.
• Lake Harriet UM Preschool Early childhood education center founded in 1953, offering infant, toddler, and preschool care. An outreach of the church that supplements the home and provides a loving, accepting atmosphere for active learning.
• Children, Youth and Family Ministries Comprehensive ministry programs including nursery care, Godly Play, Bible Black Belts, youth groups (6th-12th grade), milestone ministries, Vacation Bible School, and summer programming for children and families.
• Lake Harriet Players Community Theatre Intergenerational community theater ministry producing two shows per year (spring and fall). Open to all regardless of acting experience, offering creative and spiritual growth opportunities.
• Music Ministries Comprehensive music program including Sanctuary Choir, Festival Bells, Shout Band, LH Children's Choir, Prime Chimers, and By Faith youth worship band, with seasonal opportunities like Christmas Eve Orchestra and Easter Choir.
• Adult Learning and Spiritual Enrichment (ALSET) Adult education program offering classes including Science and Religion Book Study, Bible studies, United Women in Faith Book Club, and Reshaped Series Small Groups for spiritual growth and community building.
• Connection Groups Small groups including Beyond the Nest (parents of young adults), Unleavened Bread (Bible readers), Groovy Grandparents, Men's Forum, Women's Group, Knitting/Crafting Group, and YAC (Young Adults Connect) for ages 22-32.
• Outreach Programs Community service initiatives including Every Meal (food for Lyndale Elementary students), Joyce Uptown Foodshelf support, Feed My Starving Children volunteering, Dignity Center partnership, and Beacon Interfaith Housing collaboration.
• Appalachia Service Project (ASP) High school youth mission trip to Central Appalachia for home repair and replacement. Lake Harriet UMC has participated for over 30 years, with the 38th year scheduled for July 2026.
• United Women in Faith Women's ministry organization offering book clubs, retreats, mission studies, fundraising projects, and fellowship opportunities. Formerly known as United Methodist Women.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 children supported with weekend food through Every Meal program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joyce Uptown FoodshelfcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Church has owned Joyce Uptown Foodshelf's building since 2012. In 2022, church and congregants provided over 10% of JUFS operating budget, ran diaper and paper bag drives, and provided administrative support via printing services and meeting rooms. Food shelf serves Minneapolis community with respect and dignity.
• Every MealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide weekend food bags to 40 children at Lyndale Community School. Volunteers place food bags in lockers weekly. Over 400 children at Lyndale qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch program. Church goal is $25/month per child supported.
• Beacon Interfaith Housing CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for affordable, intentional, and sustainable housing advocacy. Church participates in interfaith collaborative of congregations across Minnesota. Led by Lauren Braswell, task force working on housing justice at city and state levels.
• Feed My Starving ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers from church work at FMSC warehouse on first Monday of each month to pack meals for starving children in over 50 countries. Open to volunteers 3rd grade and older.
• The Dignity CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Hennepin Avenue UMC's Dignity Center which works with people to achieve stability through goal-setting, problem-solving, budgeting, and supportive community. Located at 425 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis.
• Saint Catherine UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for spiritual practices through Lilly grant. ALSET (Adult Learning and Spiritual Enrichment Team) working with university on deepening spiritual well initiatives.
• Minnesota MethodistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLake Harriet UMC is one of many churches that has signed Minnesota Methodists statement for leadership in the way forward. Church leadership active in denominational discussions.
• Reconciling Ministries NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch affiliated with Reconciling Ministries Network committed to intersectional justice and full participation of LGBTQ+ people throughout United Methodist Church life and leadership.
• Synergy & Leadership Exchange - Minnesota HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch endorsed Minnesota Hope (Visions) on April 27, 2025, supporting 10 items as vision for Minnesota children. Already active with weekly youth faith opportunities, preschool, vacation Bible camp, theater camp, service projects, and Every Meal support.
• Immigrant Law Center of MNminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit organization providing free legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees. Church collects donations through onRealm platform for support.
• MN Annual ConferencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, organized into five geographic districts. Church participates in annual conference sessions, ordains ministers, and determines mission priorities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lakeharrietunitedmethodist4988
• Facebookfacebook.com/LakeHarrietUMC
• Instagraminstagram.com/lakeharrietumc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lake-harriet-united-methodist

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lake Harriet United Methodist Church