Emotions ran high Sunday in a neighborhood not far from St. Paul's Lake Como, where a decommissioned church is scheduled for demolition.
Saint Andrew's Catholic church building on Como has been at the center of a dispute between neighbors and the building's owners.
The Twin Cities German Immersion school bought the building several years ago, and now needs more space and wants to tear the structure down to build a new facility.
The school scheduled Sunday's open house for neighbors and other to visit the building one last time.
While that was going on, protesters stood outside the building and at times clashing with those wishing to say good bye to the old church.
"We are insulted by the school having an open house, it feels like insult on top of injury," said Tom Goldstein.
The protesters are planning to ask Governor Walz to intervene, but early stages of the demolition process are already underway.
St. Andrew's was decommissioned and sold by the Catholic archdiocese nearly a decade ago, its congregation merged into another nearby church.
From the school's post announcing the open house:
The building is nearly 100 years old and in need of repairs, while enrollment at the school grew.
Neighbors who wanted the building preserved took the case to the courts, but a judge ruled last week that the demolition could move forward.
"It was a difficult year for the school and for the neighborhood," said Julie Alkadout, board chair for the school. "Just a lot of unanticipated obstacles."