In 1887, St. Hubert Church was constructed as one of the very first buildings in Chanhassen. It was the centerpiece of what would begin the continued settlement and growth of Chanhassen. In fact, Old St. Hubert is the one remaining historical site that to this day signifies the very blood, sweat and tears of Chanhassen’s earliest settlers and the city’s existence.
To quote one of the community’s most respected citizens, Mary Jane Klingelhutz: “The town grew up around the church.” We only need to look to neighboring Excelsior, Chaska and Waconia for communities that have preserved their historical buildings and churches. Consider for a moment Europe and how they revere their historical buildings and witness their preservation efforts.
Recently, area residents responded to a recent survey conducted by St. Hubert’s Catholic Community. A total of 1,209 area residents completed this survey with St. Hubert parishioners accounting for 785 of those responses and Chanhassen residents 504. Of the total respondents, 58.2% or 750 voted to save Old St. Hubert’s. This was 40% more than those who voted to tear the church down.
As Carver County remains the wealthiest county in the state of Minnesota, Chanhassen is the wealthiest community within the county. We have been blessed with a rich legacy and an abundance of resources.
Unofficially there may be anywhere from $2 million to $2.5 million of financial support for restoring the old church. This would be an outstanding start to a community-wide campaign that might even raise enough money to make those “as is” improvements and endow a fund for ongoing operating expenses. Notwithstanding potential users that may have an interest in being a part of leases supporting its use for a myriad of sacred events.
As an aside in both the relocation to St. Hubert’s current location in 1997 and the subsequent school expansion, the parish community was always able to construct more with less because of in-kind material and labor from its parishioners. I suspect a Chanhassen community-wide effort might be able to do even more.
Clearly there are some real merits in taking a further look at saving the Old St. Hubert Church. When many ask why, the natural reply is “have you ever just stood in awe of a truly iconic piece of art?” What if you could actually step into that piece of art to smell, touch and experience what the original artists created 140 years ago?
I would like to push the proverbial “restart button” and encourage a more ecumenical, community-wide effort to work together toward a possible solution and repurpose the Old St. Hubert Church. This would include reaching out and renewing relationships with city, county, state agencies and the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
I would also contemplate a new and expanded vision that would serve a broader Christian community and preserve the single most significant remaining historical site within Chanhassen.
Twenty years ago, I had the privilege and honor to facilitate the organization of Love INC of Eastern Carver County. Twenty-six churches at the time worked together with one vision.
Why can’t we come together again as one singular Christian community here in Chanhassen? If you have a genuine interest in being a part of this discussion, please email me at jfburzinski53@gmail.com. In his name.
Jeff Burzinski
Founder Community Bank Chaska and Chanhassen
