A safe harbor along life's journey.
The Port has a rich history of meeting people where they're at and providing each person a safe passage as they face the challenges of life. We welcome you to our church family with Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors. Our MinistriesGiveOur Mission
“To grow followers of Jesus who change the world.”
Our Vision: “To be a safe harbor along life’s journey.”
Our Guiding Principles: P.O.R.T.
Place of safety, belonging, and acceptance for all.
Opportunities to love and serve our neighbors and the world.
Radiating God’s love through worship, music and prayer.
Together growing in faith
History…
Portland Avenue United Methodist Church’s history document begins like this:
“God in his infinite wisdom certainly must have guided the leadership of the Minneapolis District of the Methodist Church as they saw the need and found land to start the Portland Avenue Methodist Church (PAUMC).”
In late 1952 and early 1953, the Minneapolis District recognized the potential need for a Christian Methodist Church in the growing metropolis of Bloomington, MN. At that time, the Village of Bloomington, a geographical giant located just south of Richfield, was rapidly growing both commercially and residentially.
By 1952, the eastern part of Bloomington was solidly built up over towards Lyndale Avenue and was developing rapidly westward. Bloomington’s population jumped from 9,800 in 1950 to almost 20,000 by 1952 with a quarter of the population being pre-school age children. By November 1953, PAUMC began regular Church School and Worship Services. PAUMC was legally organized under a Charter on March 14, 1954. This year we celebrate our 70th year that has been built from the traditions that started in those early days as well as the tremendous ministry we have been a part of here in East Bloomington and beyond.
…and Commitment
PAUMC takes pride in being involved with our community! We provide support to:
- Valley View Elementary School
- Bloomington Kennedy High School
- The Education Foundation of Bloomington
- Cornerstone Shelter VEAPDignity Center
- Feed My Starving Children
- Creating Care Packages for the Homeless
Also, each year through the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, there are six Special Sunday offerings each year. These offerings will help serve various ministries throughout our state and beyond! They are:
- Human Relations Day Sunday
- UMCOR Sunday
- Native American Ministry Sunday
- Peace with Justice Sunday
- World Communion Sunday
- United Methodist Student Day
