Project for Pride in Living

A new book celebrates the history of Loring Nicollet-Bethlehem Community Centers .

The book: “LNB: A Lively History” honors 50+ years of Loring Nicollet-Bethlehem Community Centers serving the community through contributions from past and present directors, board members, staff, and community leaders.

The book weaves anecdotes and snapshots of memory among photos, clippings and timelines and recognizes the vital future the agency’s programs have in the merger with Project for Pride in Living.

About LNB

The 54-year-old organization traces its roots to the Loring Nicollet Center and the Bethlehem Center, each begun in the 1950s by churches in the local community. Plymouth Congregational Church was founded by the Loring Nicollet Center; the Bethlehem Center, by Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.

The two merged in 1972. Programs operated out of the Bethlehem Community Center, 2539 Pleasant Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood, and the Loring Nicollet Community Center, 1925 Nicollet Avenue, in the Stevens Square-Loring Heights neighborhood.

AGENCY CHRONOLOGY

1954 Plymouth Congregational Church begins the Plymouth Center.

1958 Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, pastored by Reverend John Hughes, begins the Bethlehem Center.

1961 Plymouth Center is renamed Loring Nicollet Center. Additional church sponsors include Hennepin Avenue United Methodist, The Cathedral Church of St. Mark (later renamed St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral), Westminster Presbyterian, and Wesley United Methodist.

1962 Loring Nicollet Center moves to 1920 Pillsbury Avenue.

1963 The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis becomes a sponsor.

1970 Loring Nicollet Alternative School is founded.

1972 Loring Nicollet Center and Bethlehem Center officially become one organization, LNB. This new entity becomes a member of the United Fund (now United Way).

1973 Christ Presbyterian Church of Edina becomes a sponsor of LNB.

1977 Good Samaritan United Methodist Church of Edina becomes a sponsor.

1978 Corporation/foundation cooperative efforts are established.

1981 LNB, in partnership with The Center for Community Action, opens the Minneapolis Education and Recycling Center (MERC) at 2916 Fourth Avenue South.

1983 LNB, in partnership with Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo), becomes a part of the city-wide employment network (NET).

1984 Norwest Bank becomes a partner with LNB in the literacy/adult basic education effort. The mission statement of LNB is rewritten.

1987 Loring Nicollet Center moves to new quarters at 1925 Nicollet Avenue.

1988 LNB adopts Homework ’n‘ Hoops and other elementary school tutoring programs.

1989 Hope Presbyterian Church becomes a sponsor of LNB.

1990 The Center for Community Action merges with LNB.

1993 LNB buys the Bethlehem-Stewart Presbyterian Church property. The church begins renting space from LNB.

1995 The Bethlehem Community Center is dedicated.

1996 The mission statement of LNB is rewritten.

1997 The Board of LNB approves the 1997-2000 strategic plan.

1999 MERC Alternative School changes its name to Minneapolis Employment Readiness Curriculum.

2000 The Board approves a strategic plan for 2001-2005.

2001 Bethlehem-Stewart Presbyterian Church decides to disband after serving the community for generations. LNB remodels the sanctuary and renames it Jane West Hall in honor of the late board president. The new space becomes the site of the elementary education tutoring program.

2004 LNB celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

2008 LNB merges with Project for Pride in Living (PPL).