Central Baptist Church Parsonage

2729 West 8th Street

Western Realty Company built this house and the next two homes to the East in 1926. It sat empty for a few years before the company sold it. In 1929, Central Baptist Church purchased this bungalow to be used as a parsonage. Rev. John Siemens and his family then occupied the home. Central Baptist Church was located on the upper-West corner of 20th Avenue West and 1st Street.

At a housewarming dedication, members of the church read poems “To the Fire” by W.S. Merwin and “The House By The Side Of The Road” by Sam Walter Foss. The quote “Let Me Live in a House by the Side of the Road” was chosen as the home’s motto. Many bible studies and church group meetings took place in the home the following years. By World War II, the house became a regular private residence.

Duluth Herald, 1929 (MNHS)