The home of Charles Odell was the meeting place of the first Gospel services which resulted in the formation of the Alliance Church in Staples. This was in 1919, with the official organization in 1920. That summer a tent campaign was conducted with Rev. C C. Brownell as the evangelist.
Some of the early members and adherents were; Mr. And Mrs. C. Odell, Mrs Charles Eastmen, Mrs. Lew Daily, Mrs. Mae Walker, Mr. Jim Turner, Mrs. Carl Flom, Mrs. Helen Carlson, Mrs. John Hill, Mrs. Oscar Johnson, Mrs. Anna Jacobson, Mr and Mrs. William Root, Mrs. Ole Johnson, Mrs. Ed Riley, Mr. And Mrs. C. C. Garland and Mr. And Mrs. William Johnson.
The original church building on Wisconsin and Third was built during the fall and winter of 1919, 1920. It was 24 by 40 feet and consisted of one room. Church growth was enriched during the early forties by the addition of several families from the closing of the Thomastown Alliance Church. After much prayer and thought the congregation voted to improve and build onto the original building. This was done in 1956 when Rev. John Rahn was pastor. The result was a modern building measuring 34 by 64 feet. The basement contained Sunday School rooms, nursery, kitchen and small auditorium.
The church was urged for some time by district officials to build. Since there was little room for expansion in our original location, the building committee, after much studying, looking and praying, and with the approval of the congregation, decided to buy the 400 foot square lot on North Eighth Street. The building committee and interested members visited other church buildings, including those of steel construction. It was decided that this type of construction best fit the needs of our church. Then the contract was let to Swenson Construction Company of Pnie River.
Work on the new structure was begun in December. The last service in the original building was on March 31, 1974, at which a partial lifting of the Dedication was held. The church was sold to the Nazrene Congregation. The first service in the new building was held on April 7, 1974.
In 1993, the church remodeled the restrooms, enlarged the kitchen, and added a new library and nursery. In 1995 the congregation remodeled the sanctuary and the church office, updating the spaces from the original construction in 1974. In the fall of 1999, the church added six new Sunday School rooms along the North wall, greatly expanding the church’s ability to offer Sunday School classes.
Around this time, under the leadership of Pastor Jonathan Wiggins, it was determined
by the leadership and congregation that the existing sanctuary was no longer large
enough to meet the needs of Staples Alliance Church. The leadership strongly wanted
to maintain the family atmosphere by keeping one worship service, and decided to
add on new worship facilities. After a lengthy process of considering plans, Miller
Architects from St. Cloud was chosen to design and build the new worship facilities.
Pastor Jonathan accepted a call to work in the Great Lakes District Office, but
the church made a decision of faith to continue building. The new sanctuary, entry-
In 2004, the church moved the nursery again into a larger area, moved the library, and removed a wall in the old nursery to allow it to serve as an expanded Sunday School space.
Pastors have included: C. C. Brownell, Lucas Cook, William Schwab, Oscar Overson, George French, F. L. Frandenburgh, Archie Grundy, E. M. Backie, C. S. Matthews, F. C. Sternman, Harris Johnson, Elbert Cearfoss, John Rahn, J. P. Sorenson, Lewis Blanchard, Donald Brown, H. Eugene Eslinger, L. Arnold Hustad, Bill Arant, Joe Newman, David Olson, John Brekke, Jonathan Wiggins, Paul Johnson (associate Pastor), Mike Picconatto, and Keith Puglisi (associate Pastor)
Our church has been blessed by God calling from our congregation the following people into full time service: Rev. Howard Root, Rev. Oscar Jacobson, Rev. Herbert Garland, Mrs. Marylan Lewis, Mrs. Rita Jenson, Mr. Gary Halbersma, and Mike and Amy Verlennich.
