It is hard not to notice this Chaska brick church in the heart of downtown Chaska, Minnesota. Construction on the present day church building began in 1885, so this church has been around for a while. The steeple is easy to pick out on the skyline, and it has been tested over time.
On October 7, 1902, a fire engulfed the church building, causing massive damages to the interior and some of the exterior features (toppled the steeple). The congregation rebuilt the church, finishing the reconstruction one year later. Very strong winds or a tornado struck the church and school on June 2, 1925. The school building was damaged more than the church, but this was another test of the integrity of the church. So what happens to a church after over a hundred years of dealing with the Minnesota climate extremes? Surprisingly, most of the structure elements remain strong. The bricks themselves were made to last. Chaska bricks can stand the test of time. However, the mortar that binds the bricks begins to fail. That is the point where the Guardian Angels Church is today, it is in need of a big job of mortar replacement. For those who are not aware, the Guardian Angels congregation is looking to fix the mortar joints throughout the entire church complex. If this is not done, additional damage will occur to the beautiful old church. For any Minnesota brick lover, this is now what we want. We would like to see this flagship Chaska brick landmark stand for another hundred years. Look through the pictures on the next few pages to get an idea of how big this Chaska brick complex actually is.
Although I haven't been able to verify it, I believe the tall steeple to the right of the third smokestack in the skyline is Guardian Angels Church.
Before I sign off, let me include my call for donations as well for restoring this famous old Chaska brick church. The restoration process has begun, but donations are still needed.