Gloria Dei Church Rises from the Ashes After 2016 Fire

Duluth congregation rebuilds historic church over 3 years after devastating blaze.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Nearly 10 years after a fire gutted the Gloria Dei Church in Duluth, Minnesota, the historic congregation has rebuilt and reopened its doors. The fire broke out in February 2016, forcing firefighters to break stained glass windows to battle the blaze. The reconstruction process took years of planning and patience, but the church was able to reopen in April 2019.

Why it matters

The Gloria Dei Church has served the Duluth community since 1870, when it was founded by Swedish immigrants. The rebuilding of this landmark represents the resilience and perseverance of the congregation in the face of adversity, as they worked to preserve an important piece of the city's history and faith community.

The details

Crews responded to the fire at Gloria Dei Church before sunrise on February 18, 2016, and had to break some of the stained glass windows to access the building and battle the blaze. The fire caused devastating damage, leaving the church in ruins. However, the congregation came together and spent years carefully planning and executing the rebuilding process, finally reopening the restored church in April 2019.

  • The fire at Gloria Dei Church broke out on February 18, 2016.
  • The church reopened in April 2019, after 3 years of reconstruction.

The players

Gloria Dei Church

A historic church in Duluth, Minnesota that was founded in 1870 by Swedish immigrants and has served the local community for over 150 years.

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The takeaway

The rebuilding of Gloria Dei Church demonstrates the power of community, faith, and perseverance in the face of adversity. This landmark has been an integral part of Duluth's history for generations, and its restoration ensures that it will continue to serve the local congregation and the broader community for years to come.