Title: ELCA Publishing House Prepares for Move ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF December 4, 1997 AUGSBURG FORTRESS PREPARES FOR MOVE Augsburg Fortress Publishers, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, acknowledged on Nov. 5 the years of work done in the buildings at 426 S. Fifth St. in Minneapolis. The Rev. Marvin L. Roloff, president and CEO, said, "It's a time for our publishing community to give thanks for the rich heritage that has shaped our current ministry of publishing, and also a time to praise God for vision as we look to the future." The celebration was for everyone associated with the buildings since the beginning of this century, Roloff said. The property was purchased by Hennepin County in 1997 for $8.25 million as the site of a correctional facility. About 250 people gathered for a worship service involving Roloff, the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, Secretary of the ELCA, the Rev. David W. Preus, President Emeritus, the American Lutheran Church, and Lutheran publishing executives Albert E. Anderson and the Rev. Robert Endruschat. A "Tour of Remembrance" highlighted areas of historic interest throughout the buildings, a desktop publishing demonstration and opportunities to visit with former publishing house and church employees. Augsburg Fortress will move to new corporate offices at 100 S. Fifth Street, Suite 700, on Dec. 12. A procession from the old buildings to 100 Fifth Street Towers is planned for the morning of Dec. 15. The complex of buildings occupied by Augsburg Fortress was home to predecessor publishing houses and other Lutheran organizations dating back to 1908. In addition to Augsburg Publishing House the buildings housed the United Norwegian Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the American Lutheran Church. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html