The history of Heritage Church
Our Story
In the spring of 1921, having had experienced ministry in Pennsylvania, Rev. James Menzie offered to go anywhere God wanted him. He asked Superintendent Ben Hardin, who had traveled extensively, where the most needy field was. Rev. Hardin replied that he felt it would be Minnesota so Menzie purchased a truck, folding chairs and ordered a tent. (They also bought tent poles not realizing they would be ministering in forest country.)
When he told Rev. Hardin he felt he should have someone go along with him, he was asked who he had in mind. He answered, “Frank Lindquist.” Brother Hardin responded, “Fine, Frank doesn’t have a call to ministry but
he could lead your song service. Rev. Lindquist assisted to establish the work in Brainerd and was pastor there and at the Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle for over 30 years. He also founded North Central Bible College. Rev. Menzie used to say, “Not bad for a song leader.”
After a stop over in Chicago and Staples, the two men pitched their tent in Brainerd and had services there until it was too cold. A small church was rented for the congregation who later purchased the building.
While in Brainerd the brothers also ministered in Crosby, Pillager, and again in Staples.
What started as Tent Meetings to bring revival to the Midwest from two young Pennsylvania residents answering the call of God has cultivated into a Heritage that is far bigger than the building you can set foot in today in Baxter, MN. While the physical foundations may have changed through the course of time, the spiritual groundwork has remained unbroken and constant. Through generations this assembly of believers was dissatisfied with the number of people who were unreached in their community and beyond. Their mission continues an inheritance through our mission statement today, “love one more to Jesus and encourage each other to grow.” The last 100 years have shown the faithfulness of God, and we are certain that the next century will prove the same.
When he told Rev. Hardin he felt he should have someone go along with him, he was asked who he had in mind. He answered, “Frank Lindquist.” Brother Hardin responded, “Fine, Frank doesn’t have a call to ministry but
he could lead your song service. Rev. Lindquist assisted to establish the work in Brainerd and was pastor there and at the Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle for over 30 years. He also founded North Central Bible College. Rev. Menzie used to say, “Not bad for a song leader.”
After a stop over in Chicago and Staples, the two men pitched their tent in Brainerd and had services there until it was too cold. A small church was rented for the congregation who later purchased the building.
While in Brainerd the brothers also ministered in Crosby, Pillager, and again in Staples.
What started as Tent Meetings to bring revival to the Midwest from two young Pennsylvania residents answering the call of God has cultivated into a Heritage that is far bigger than the building you can set foot in today in Baxter, MN. While the physical foundations may have changed through the course of time, the spiritual groundwork has remained unbroken and constant. Through generations this assembly of believers was dissatisfied with the number of people who were unreached in their community and beyond. Their mission continues an inheritance through our mission statement today, “love one more to Jesus and encourage each other to grow.” The last 100 years have shown the faithfulness of God, and we are certain that the next century will prove the same.
Pictured above are the founders of Heritage Church. On the
left is Frank Lindquist and on the right is Rev. James Menzie
left is Frank Lindquist and on the right is Rev. James Menzie