1906: Wells Memorial was established as a combined church mission and settlement house by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Originally located on 6th St. between Nicollet & Hennepin Avenues.
1908: Wells Memorial Inc. Settlement House was established to provide medical, social, and educational services to its surrounding community. Open to Mpls. residents of varying religious affiliations, although its Certificate of Incorporation states in Article 3: “to establish, maintain, and operate a Christian social settlement for the physical, mental, social and moral development of the people of the Neighborhood in which it may be located.”
1908: House dedicated at 11th St. at Western [now Glenwood]Avenue [116 N. 11th St.].
1913: Adjoining gymnasium built and main building remodeled.
1915: Roof raised and living quarters added for 8 resident employees.
1927: Commercial building next door purchased and became part of the settlement house.
1935: Membership originally was English, Irish, and some German, but by 1935, mainly Finns. Russian Jews attended as well.
1967: Merged with United (Unity) House to become Northside Settlement House
- Bibliography: “History of Wells Memorial House,” n.d.; “Historical Background of Wells Memorial Settlement,” typescript, n.d.; “Wells Memorial House, Inc.,” 1935? Minneapolis Tribune 10/11/1908 “Opening for Wells Settlement Houses;” ibid. 10/14/1908, “Wells Memorial Settlement House: New Building at Western avenue and 11th St. N.”; ibid. 10/17/1908 “Wells Settlement Building is Opened”; ibid. 5/18/1913 “$50,000 Raised for Wells Memorial House Addition;” ibid. 12/18/1925 “Jewish Santa Claus Leads Party at Wells Memorial”; “Wells Foundation: A Century of Social Innovation,” website: www.wellsfound.org/history.