Harbor Light Chapel Opens in Downtown Minneapolis

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Shelter in downtown Minneapolis (1010 Currie Ave.) opened its new $2.4 million chapel during a worship service and dedication ceremony Sunday, June 28.

The chapel “will provide critically needed space so that more people can meet with God and be transformed by Him from the inside out,” Lt. Colonel Daniel Sjögren, Commander of The Salvation Army Northern Division, told a crowd of 300-plus people during the dedication.

Ground broke on the 6,050-square-foot chapel last July. The new addition will not only allow Harbor Light to boost Sunday worship attendance, it will allow the state’s largest homeless shelter to offer added services through several community partnerships. These services include employment and housing assistance, legal aid, health care – even basketball games. Harbor Light already serves hundreds of people a day with its overnight shelter, rehabilitation programs, transitional housing and cafeteria.

Construction of the chapel would not have been possible without key donations from three Twin Cities residents: Larry Bachman, Arnold Meleen and Walter Johnson.

Meleen and Johnson, both of whom passed away about two years ago, each left The Salvation Army more than $1 million to support Harbor Light and other Salvation Army ministries. 

Bachman, a former board member of the Twin Cities Salvation Army, gave $70,000 for the chapel’s immense stained glass window, which can be seen from the new Twins stadium several blocks away. He donated the money in memory of his wife, Louise Bachman.

“This chapel is a bold step in beautifying downtown Minneapolis and will help many more people in need get back on their feet,” said Envoy Bill Miller, Harbor Light administrator.

View photos of the chapel dedication ceremony.