La Puerta Abierta United Methodist Church
92 E. Morton Street
St. Paul, MN 55107-2941

Phone: (651) 224-8375

In Memory of Pastor Marcial Vasquez,
who entered into God's Eternal Care in 2006

Who We Are

Our membership is 77. We come from Belize, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, Honduras, and the United States of America. We are computer programmers, factory workers, homemakers, seamstresses, and machine operators. We are infants, children, teenagers, adults, and elderly. We are members of the world community hoping to make a safe and welcoming Christian place for all people.

God has called us to be an open door, to welcome all who come, and as a religious community, serve Hispanics and other peoples from all walks of life.

How We Began

In 1979, Marcial Vasquez was called by the United Methodist Church of Minnesota to begin the Hispanic Ministries. He started with a fellowship group of 13 members at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on the West Side of St. Paul. After two years he moved to Faith United Methodist Church in West St. Paul and began worship services. In 1992 the church was officially chartered.

In 1991 property was purchased at 92 E. Morton St. on the West Side of St. Paul. and moved to its current location at 92 E. Morton St. There is a house at the site in which we hold our worship services and ministries.

La Puerta Abierta viewed from Robert Street

Entrance to La Puerta Abierta from Livingston Avenue

Our Building Project

We have begun a building project, with the plans of constructing a church building at the property on Morton St. in St. Paul. We plan to provide services through this new facility which would include:

  • Worship space to seat 120 people and expand as the church grows.
  • Fellowship space and kitchen facilities for special events such as our Taco Fiestas, weddings, baptisms, and quinceañeras.
  • An education center for classes and special activities.
  • Offices for individual counseling and staff work.
  • A youth activity center for recreation, Bible studies, motivational talks, music instruction, folklore dance lessons, ancestral art, and sewing.
  • Outdoor facilities for weddings, quinceañeras, recreation, and other church activities.

    • Sketch of the La Puerta Abierta site
    and Future Plans

    Children learn and grow in faith

    Pastor Marcial Vasquez brings his message to the children's level

    Pastor Marcial Vasquez celebrates with the children in the Garden

    Our Ministries

    In 1989 we began a community Children's Tutoring program to help children raise their skills to a level higher than competency. In 1991 we added a Computer Training program to teach computer skills to teenagers and adults who have become lost in the cracks of society, or who wish to improve their computer skills. We also added English as a Secondary Language (ESL) classes for adults who wish to improve their English skills. We call these programs the Hispanic Academic Support System (H.A.S.S.). Through H.A.S.S., students are also taught lessons on self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth.

    Computer Training in the Hispanic Academic Support System (HASS)

    To view the HASS Web Site, Click Here

    Did You Know?

  • There are around 70,000 Hispanics in Minnesota.
  • One half of Minnesota's Hispanic population are in Ramsey and Hennepin counties.
  • The Hispanic population increased by 60% in the 1980's and the trend is expected to continue.
  • La Puerta Abierta is the only Hispanic United Methodist Church in the state of Minnesota.

    • English as a second language is taught in the Hispanic Academic Support System (HASS)

    We have a committee called "Friends of La Puerta Abierta", made up of individuals from La Puerta Abierta and other United Methodist congregations in Minnesota. The Friends of La Puerta Abierta are helping us to make our dream come true. This is an exciting adventure for us. We invite you to be a part of it.