Around the LCMS

Grounded in the Word

University Lutheran Chapel celebrates 100 years of campus ministry in Minneapolis.

Story by Sarah Hjulberg | Photography by Erik M. Lunsford | Winter 2026

As the afternoon sunlight beamed through the windows of University Lutheran Chapel (ULC) on Sept. 14, 2025, two future LCMS pastors, eight current LCMS pastors (all ULC alumni), former campus pastor Rev. Dr. John T. Pless, and current campus pastor Rev. David Kind processed down the aisle in between packed pews.

This special service at ULC marked 100 years of campus ministry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis — the fruit of the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word.

The Hidden Work of the Holy Spirit

LCMS campus ministry at the U, as locals and students affectionately refer to it, began in 1925 when students formed a University Walther League. Years of student dedication and hard work resulted in the chartering of ULC as an LCMS congregation in 1955, so that Lutheran students would have a true church home during their college years. But with the major cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, student attendance dwindled.

When Pless accepted the call to ULC in 1983, he knew he was getting called to “an empty building,” as he put it. But the Holy Spirit was at work.

“The real history is much more than what we’ve written up,” reflected Pless in his sermon for the anniversary service. “The real history is that hidden work the Holy Spirit seeks to do … as He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies His people.”

Slowly, students came back, drawn to God’s Word, the Lutheran Confessions and the liturgy. Campus ministry came alive once more.

The Rev. Allan Wierschke, pastor of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rushville, Neb., remembers his days as a student at ULC fondly. Originally intending to study wildlife management, he was encouraged by Pless to become a pastor instead.

From Pless’ ministry, Wierschke learned to “[be] faithful, [keep] to God’s Word, [teach] the people, and [do] Word and Sacrament ministry.”

“That’s where the focus is,” continued Wierschke. “We’re called to gather together as God’s people and receive His gifts.”

Pless also encouraged Kind to become a pastor when Kind was a student attending ULC. Kind has now served ULC for a quarter of its 100-year history.

During Kind’s tenure, ULC became a founding chapter of LCMS U, the most recent iteration of campus ministry in the LCMS. (Under Pless, ULC was part of Lutheran Student Fellowship.)

ULC has also seen some hard times. In 2012, the LCMS Minnesota South District made the tough decision to sell ULC’s building due to high operating costs. But by God’s gracious provision, ULC was able to raise funds to buy Luther House (a former sorority house) to keep its campus ministry on campus and, eventually, to build a new church building next door.

ULC’s 100-year history is a good reminder of the story of the entire Christian church — as Pless noted in his sermon, “The history of the Christian church is one long history of resurrections from the dead.”

‘Mutually Upholding Each Other’

Campus ministry is essential work in Christ’s church.

“[Our churches] tend to lose [youth] either right after confirmation or when they go to college and they’re suddenly challenged with all kinds of different philosophies and ideas,” said Kind. “So, campus ministry is extremely important because it gives students a solid place to receive the things of Christ while they’re in school, and not only keep their faith but also grow in their faith.”

“[College] is the time in people’s lives where you’re leaving your home congregation and you need to find a solid congregation moving forward,” said Joey Hynes. Hynes attended the University of Minnesota for college and now lives in Minneapolis and serves as ULC’s president. He and his wife, Amber, were married there, and their two children have been baptized there.

Today, ULC is a true “town and gown” congregation, with a thriving population of students and locals. Many former students wind up settling in the Twin Cities area and continuing to attend ULC.

“There are a lot of young people that are either in college or starting their careers that are all coming together and mutually upholding each other in the faith, which is really beautiful,” said Teryn Vietor, who is a pre-seminary student at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP).

“[I was supported] in a million ways by ULC. The most wonderful thing about it was that it became my main community,” said Aaron Coggins, who was catechized and became Lutheran through ULC. “This was my second home here at Luther House, and a lot of the friends I’ve made during that time are still some of my best friends in the world.”

Vietor and Coggins are two of the many future LCMS pastors who have passed through ULC. In the past 50 years, ULC has had over 30 students go on to become LCMS pastors.

The Lutheran formation in the faith provided to those who attend ULC — no matter the future vocation God calls them to — is evident.

“I just love the proclamation of the Gospel,” said Ari Frey, another pre-seminary student at CSP who attends ULC. “It’s the most important thing in life.”

Learn More

Learn more about LCMS Campus Ministry

Sarah Hjulberg

Former staff writer and editor for LCMS Communications.