Brookdale's History

The History of Brookdale Covenant Church

In the early 1870's and 1880's, a wave of immigration brought thousands of Swedish young people to America.  A great number of them had been converted during the revivals in their homeland.  Some of these young people settled on the East Coast and others settled in the Midwest.  They soon earned the name of "Mission Friends" due to their warm-hearted interest and zeal for winning others to Christ.

As they sought fellowship with one another, local churches were established throughout these regions.  In 1885, these churches organized under the name of the "Evangelical Mission Covenant of America."

The first meetings at Camden Place were held in various homes, usually led by Gust Peterson and Hans Rask.  These meetings were quite informal and consisted of: singing favorite gospel hymns; prayer and testimony time; and reading the Bible.

In June 1899, this group decided to form a congregation of Mission Friends.   Sunday services were held for 2 1/2 months at 3:00 p.m. at the Swedish Presbyterian Church at 41st & Lyndale, with Rev. A.E. Palmquist preaching.  The Camden Place group then rented the upstairs hall of Haertel's Feed Store in Camden for their worship services.

Upon posting the required announcement for organizing a church in agreement with the state laws, 22 people gathered on November 28, 1899 at the home of Gust Peterson, 4100 Dupont.  These friends agreed and signed the charter establishing the Swedish Evangelical Mission Church of Camden Place.

Brookdale Covenant Church has been at its current location since 1956.