# Cities Church

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**Cities Church** is a historic church building in [St. Paul, Minnesota](/source/St._Paul,_Minnesota), United States. Completed in 1913 as **St. Paul's-on-the-Hill Episcopal Church**, the [Gothic Revival](/source/Gothic_Revival_architecture) building is a [contributing property](/source/Contributing_property) to the [West Summit Avenue Historic District](/source/Summit_Avenue_(St._Paul)). After the Episcopal congregation dwindled, the church was closed in 2015 and the building was sold. In 2020, Cities Church, a [Baptist](/source/Baptists) congregation, purchased the building.

The church was the site of protests during the [2026 U.S. immigration enforcement protests](/source/2026_U.S._immigration_enforcement_protests), resulting in multiple arrests and charges under the [Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act](/source/Freedom_of_Access_to_Clinic_Entrances_Act), which includes penalties for disrupting worship services.

## Architecture

St. Paul's-on-the-Hill was built in 1913 by W. M. Carlson to a design by [Emmanuel Louis Masqueray](/source/Emmanuel_Louis_Masqueray). The church features a [Gothic Revival](/source/Gothic_Revival) design that includes a [rose window](/source/Rose_window) in its [west end](/source/Liturgical_east_and_west). The walls are [random-coursed](/source/Course_(architecture)) with [ashlar](/source/Ashlar)-cut [limestone](/source/Limestone) and the red-tiled roof is gabled with a [parapet](/source/Parapet).[1] The roof was redesigned after it failed to drain properly during Minnesota's harsh winters.[2]

A two-story stone tower topped by a [spire](/source/Spire) is located near the [apse](/source/Apse) on the north side of the church. The tower is adjacent to an entrance porch featuring a [crenelated parapet](/source/Battlement). The side walls feature stained-glass [lancet windows](/source/Lancet_window) set between limestone [buttresses](/source/Buttress).[1] The church has 33 stained-glass windows.[2]

An entrance porch on the building's west end, covered by a [shed roof](/source/Shed_roof) and [corbie-stepped](/source/Stepped_gable) parapet, was added after the building was constructed. The rear of the church includes a modern addition with gabled and flat roofs; it houses childcare facilities, an office, a kitchen, and meeting space.[1][2]

## History

St. Paul's congregation was founded in 1854 and erected a building in [Lowertown](/source/Lowertown_Historic_District_(Saint_Paul,_Minnesota)) in 1857. Early members included Governor [Henry Hastings Sibley](/source/Henry_Hastings_Sibley), Minnesota House Speaker [John L. Merriam](/source/John_L._Merriam), and Governor [William Rush Merriam](/source/William_Rush_Merriam). The church moved to West Summit Avenue in 1913 and hired [Masqueray](/source/Emmanuel_Louis_Masqueray), who had designed other prominent churches in Saint Paul, to design a new church. Masqueray's design made use of the 1857 building's limestone, tower spire, altar, pews, and stained-glass windows.[2]

St. Paul's churchmanship was [Anglo-Catholic](/source/Anglo-Catholicism). Attendance declined over the course of the 20th century and it was further affected when a former priest was convicted of abuse of a minor. The church eventually lost its parish status and became a mission of the [Episcopal Church in Minnesota](/source/Episcopal_Church_in_Minnesota) before closing in 2015.[2] Three years later, the building was sold to a real estate developer who intended to turn it into a [performing arts center](/source/Performing_arts_center) and [conservatory](/source/Music_school).[3] The building remained a "historic nonoperating cemetery" because former rector John Wright was buried in a [crypt](/source/Crypt) under the sanctuary in 1919.[2]

Cities Church, a [Southern Baptist Convention](/source/Southern_Baptist_Convention) (SBC)-affiliated church that adheres to the Reformed [1689 London Baptist Confession](/source/Confession_of_Faith_(1689)), was [planted](/source/Church_planting) through the [North American Mission Board](/source/North_American_Mission_Board) in 2016.[4][5][6][7] The church began renting the former St. Paul's building after its 2018 sale[3] and the congregation purchased the building in 2020. At the time, the church had 500 people in weekly attendance. of The [St. Paul Conservatory of Music](https://thespcm.org/mission) continued to rent classroom space and use of the sanctuary as a performance hall.[5]

### 2026 protest

On January 18, amid the [2026 U.S. immigration enforcement protests](/source/2026_U.S._immigration_enforcement_protests), dozens of protesters disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church, protesting against lay pastor and elder David Easterwood, who they alleged was the acting field director for [Immigration and Customs Enforcement](/source/United_States_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement) in Minnesota.[8][9] Videos taken during the protest show protestors chanting "ICE out!" and "David Easterwood, out now!";[10] they also appear to show the protestors intimidating worshipers.[11] That afternoon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights [Harmeet Dhillon](/source/Harmeet_Dhillon) posted on [X](/source/Twitter) that the [Department of Justice](/source/United_States_Department_of_Justice) (DoJ) was investigating the protestors for potential violations of the [FACE Act](/source/FACE_Act), a law intended to prevent impeding access to [abortion clinics](/source/Abortion_clinic) and disruption of worship services.[12][13][14]

On January 20, Cities Church issued a statement stating that protesters accosted their congregation, frightened children, and created a scene using intimidation and threats. The church also said it was reviewing legal options.[11] That same day, [federal magistrate judge](/source/United_States_magistrate_judge) Douglas Micko found [probable cause](/source/Probable_cause) in three of eight [arrest warrants](/source/Arrest_warrant) presented by the DoJ. The remaining arrest warrants were reviewed by a three-judge panel of the [United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit](/source/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Eighth_Circuit), and on January 23, the panel declined to order the district court to sign the warrants.[15]

The three protesters whose arrest warrants were approved were arrested on January 22,[16] then released following court orders the next day.[17] Additionally, Judge Micko denied the DoJ's application for FACE Act charges against two the three arrested (one of whom was [Nekima Levy Armstrong](/source/Nekima_Levy_Armstrong), former president of Minneapolis's chapter of the [NAACP](/source/NAACP)). He also denied an application to bring charges against journalist [Don Lemon](/source/Don_Lemon), who had been reporting on the protest.[18]

On January 30, Attorney General [Pam Bondi](/source/Pam_Bondi) said that Lemon, another journalist, and two others had been arrested at her direction.[19][20] On February 2, two more demonstrators were arrested and charged with violations of the FACE Act,[21] and thirty more were indicted later that month.[22]

The protest was widely condemned by evangelical leaders, including [Franklin Graham](/source/Franklin_Graham),[23] Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President [Albert Mohler](/source/Albert_Mohler),[4] Southern Baptist Convention President [Clint Pressley](/source/Clint_Pressley),[11] and Biola University professor [Ed Stetzer](/source/Ed_Stetzer).[24] Religious leaders who opposed ICE's enforcement tactics, including Episcopal Bishop of Washington [Mariann Budde](/source/Mariann_Budde) and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship minister Brian Kaylor, also expressed concern.[25] President [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) condemned the protest as well.[13]

## References

1. ["Nomination Form: West Summit Avenue Historic District"](https://www.stpaul.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/1993%20West%20Summit.pdf). U.S. Department of the Interior. p. 31. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Chin, Richard (January 29, 2016). ["St. Paul church for sale has beauty, history and a buried body"](https://www.twincities.com/2016/01/29/historic-st-paul-church-up-for-sale/). *Twin Cities*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Norfleet, Nicole (February 22, 2018). ["St. Paul's Church on the Hill sold to developer who envisions a performing arts center"](https://www.startribune.com/st-paul-s-church-on-the-hill-sold-to-developer-who-envisions-a-performing-arts-center/474722303). *Star Tribune*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Adams, Liam (January 23, 2026). ["Minneapolis church ICE protest rattles SBC about worship safety"](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2026/01/23/minneapolis-church-ice-protest-rattles-sbc/88284852007/). *The Tennessean*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Morris, William (February 19, 2020). ["Developer Rupp sells St. Paul's Church on Hill to congregation"](https://finance-commerce.com/2020/02/developer-rupp-sells-st-pauls-church-on-hill-to-congregation/). *Finance & Commerce*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. ["Cities Church – SBC Churches Directory"](https://churches.sbc.net/church/cities-church/). *SBC Churches Directory*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. ["Beliefs"](https://www.citieschurch.com/beliefs). Cities Church. May 2, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Brook, Jack (January 18, 2026). ["DOJ vows to press charges after activists disrupt church where Minnesota ICE official is a pastor"](https://www.12news.com/article/news/nation-world/doj-threatens-charges-activists-disrupt-church-ice-official-pastor/507-3e752280-0a43-4755-a2e3-7765f62d1a35). *12News*. Retrieved January 24, 2026.

1. Kim, Soyoung & Wald, Jeff (January 20, 2026). ["Activists call for Cities Church pastor to resign over ICE leadership conflict"](https://www.fox9.com/news/activists-call-cities-church-pastor-resign-over-ice-leadership-conflict). *FOX9 KMSP*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260121205706/https://www.fox9.com/news/activists-call-cities-church-pastor-resign-over-ice-leadership-conflict) January 21, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 24, 2026.

1. Fortin, Jacey & McCarthy, Lauren (January 22, 2026). ["Protester Nekima Levy Armstrong Who Interrupted Minnesota Church Service Is Arrested, Officials Say"](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/us/nekima-levy-armstrong-arrest-minnesota-church.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Smietana, Bob (January 21, 2026). ["Cities Church Considers Legal Options After Sunday Protest"](https://ministrywatch.com/cities-church-considers-legal-options-after-sunday-protest/). *MinistryWatch*. Religion News Service. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260210233840/https://ministrywatch.com/cities-church-considers-legal-options-after-sunday-protest/) February 10, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Lebowitz, Megan (January 19, 2026). ["DOJ civil rights chief blasts Don Lemon for covering anti-ICE protest inside church, vows charges against protesters"](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/dhillon-don-lemon-anti-ice-protest-church-doj-charges-renee-good-rcna254815). NBC News. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260125090124/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/dhillon-don-lemon-anti-ice-protest-church-doj-charges-renee-good-rcna254815) January 25, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 25, 2026.

1. Rose, Andy & Hammond, Elise (January 19, 2026). ["Trump officials investigate protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service, targeting ICE official"](https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/us/st-paul-minnesota-church-protest-investigation). *CNN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260121060502/https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/us/st-paul-minnesota-church-protest-investigation) January 21, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Funk, Josh & Smith, Peter (January 30, 2026). ["What to know about the civil rights charges Don Lemon faces for covering church protest in Minnesota"](https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-church-ice-protest-lemon-charges-arrests-8f09050ecabb2239b837d3f08c272f0d). *AP News*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Lynch, Sarah (January 24, 2026). ["Appeals court declines to order lower court to sign arrest warrants against Don Lemon, others in church protest"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-don-lemon-protest-minnesota-probable-cause/). *[CBS News](/source/CBS_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260126062950/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-don-lemon-protest-minnesota-probable-cause/) January 26, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 30, 2026.

1. ["Anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church leads to 3 arrests but no charges for a journalist"](https://www.npr.org/2026/01/22/g-s1-106899/minnesota-church-protest-arrests-pam-bondi-don-lemon). *NPR*. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 24, 2026.

1. Sepic, Matt (January 24, 2026). ["Church protesters freed as White House circulates fake arrest image"](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/24/nekima-levy-armstrong-william-kelly-chauntyll-allen-freed-after-church-protest). *[MPR News](/source/MPR_News)*. Retrieved January 30, 2026.

1. Montoya-Galvez, Camilo; Jacobs, Jennifer; Lynch, Sarah; Kaplan, Jonah (January 22, 2026). ["Minnesota magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon over anti-ICE church protest, blocks some charges for 2 protesters"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/magistrate-judge-rejects-charges-don-lemon-anti-ice-protest-minnesota-church/). *[CBS News](/source/CBS_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260131150316/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/magistrate-judge-rejects-charges-don-lemon-anti-ice-protest-minnesota-church/) January 31, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 30, 2026.

1. Folkenflik, David (January 30, 2026). ["Feds arrest 4, including Don Lemon and Minnesota journalist over church protest"](https://www.npr.org/2026/01/30/nx-s1-5693756/don-lemon-arrest-cnn-minneapolis). NPR. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260130155330/https://www.npr.org/2026/01/30/nx-s1-5693756/don-lemon-arrest-cnn-minneapolis) January 30, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 30, 2026.

1. Durkin Richer, Alanna & Tucker, Eric (January 30, 2026). ["Journalist Don Lemon arrested after protest that disrupted Minnesota church service"](https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-service-d3091fe3d1e37100a7c46573667eb85c). *[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260130135150/https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-service-d3091fe3d1e37100a7c46573667eb85c) January 30, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 30, 2026.

1. Thompson, Howard (February 2, 2026). ["St. Paul church protest: 2 more arrests made in MN"](https://www.fox9.com/news/st-paul-church-protest-2-more-arrests-made-mn). FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Reilly, Ryan J. (February 27, 2026). ["Justice Department indicts 30 more in anti-ICE church protest in Minnesota"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/justice-department-indicts-30-anti-ice-church-protest-rcna261021). NBC News.

1. Wise, Talia (January 21, 2026). ["Christian Leaders Respond to Anti-ICE Protest During Minnesota Church Service"](https://cbn.com/news/us/christian-leaders-respond-anti-ice-protest-during-minnesota-church-service). *CBN*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. DeRose, Jason (January 30, 2026). ["Church protest leads to debate among Christians about the morality of working for ICE"](https://www.npr.org/2026/01/30/nx-s1-5690128/church-protest-leads-to-debate-among-christians-about-the-morality-of-working-for-ice). *NPR*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

1. Smith, Peter & Stanley, Tiffany (January 25, 2026). ["Protests inside churches are unusual despite long history of civil disobedience in the US"](https://www.twincities.com/2026/01/25/protests-inside-churches-are-unusual-despite-long-history-of-civil-disobedience-in-the-us/). *Twin Cities*. Retrieved February 11, 2026.

## External links

- [Official website](http://citieschurch.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cities Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_Church) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_Church?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.