The members and friends of St. Paul's United Church of Christ
welcome all persons, regardless of ethnic heritage, religious backgrounds, etc.
welcome all persons, regardless of ethnic heritage, religious backgrounds, etc.
A HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Over 150 years ago, in April of 1868, our congregation began as the "Evangelical Congregation of Paul's Church". Records indicate that during the years 1866 - 1868 money was collected for the construction of a church which was built in 1868. The small frame structure sat on the site of the present church building.
The United Church of Christ is a union of what were once four separate denominations: The Evangelical Synod of North America, the German Reformed Church in America, the Congregational Churches, and the Christian Churches. The merging of the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America represented the consummation on American soil of a union which had its spiritual beginning in Germany.
The United Church of Christ is a union of what were once four separate denominations: The Evangelical Synod of North America, the German Reformed Church in America, the Congregational Churches, and the Christian Churches. The merging of the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America represented the consummation on American soil of a union which had its spiritual beginning in Germany.
1868 |
1877 Jan 17 (Death) |
Rev. Ernst A. G. Fachtmann |
1882 |
1888 (Resigned) |
Rev. J. J. Bodmer |
1888 |
1906 (Resigned) |
Rev. Julius Klopsteg |
1906 |
1911 (Resigned) |
Rev. George S. Eyrich |
1911 |
1935 Jan 27 (Death) |
Rev. Max Lehmann |
1935 |
1953 (Resigned) |
Rev. A. P. Mann |
1953 |
1955 |
Rev. Walter Odenbach |
1955 |
Value |
Rev. LeRoy Franz |
1966 |
1982 Aug 1 (Retired0 |
Rev. Walter C. Fischer |
1983 |
1989 (Resigned0 |
Pastors Jo and Kevin Cassidy-Maloney |
1991 |
1992 |
Rev. Edgar Wilbur |
1993 |
1998 Jun 28 (Resigned) |
Rev. Ed Neff |
2000 |
2007 |
Rev. Mark Binder |
2009 |
2013 |
Rev. Briget Stevens |
2013 |
2022 (Retired) |
Rev. Deb Meyer |
Church TimeLine
- 1868: First church building was constructed at the present church site.
- First Pastor was Rev. Ernst A. G. Fachtmann
- 1877: Pastor Factmann’s untimely death, January 17.
- 1880: Brick building next to the church was built and served as a schoolhouse and manse (parsonage)
- 1882: Rev. J. J. Bodmer was called. He served as both pastor and teacher.
- 1883: Barn was built and an organ was purchased.
- 1887: Bell was purchased for the chuch.
- 1888: Rev. J. J. Bodmer resigned.
- Rev. Julius Klopsteg was called.
- 1905: The Woman’s Guild was organized.
- 1906: Rev. Klopsteg resigned.
- Rev. George S. Eyrich was called.
- 1906: Moved into new church building.
- English services were held Sunday evenings.
- 1911: Rev. George S. Eyrich resigned.
- Rev. Max Lehmann was called.
- 1917: The present parsonage was built.
- The high altar was installed in the center of the church chancel.
- 1918: The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated.
- 1924: The first class to be confirmed in the English language, but also had to learn the Evangelical Catechism in Germany.
- 1930: Two paintings were placed in the front of the church , Plockhost’s “Behold, I Stand at the Door” and “The Shepherd”.
- 1935: At the annual meeting, it was decided to hold English servies the first and third Sundays, and German the other Sundays.
- 1935: Pastor Lehmann died suddenly on January 27.
- The Rev. A. P. Mann was elected as the new pastor.
- 1936: A new constitution was adopted, written in both English and German.
- It stated that the congregation would be a member of the newly formed Evangelical and Reformed Church.
- An envelope system of giving was adopted.
- 1938: Both English and German Lenten Services were held on Wednesday evenings.
- 1939: A new heating system and rest rooms were installed.
- 1940: The new stairway was built to the basement.
- The outdoor toilet was sold.
- 1942: New Hymnals were purchased.
- 1943: the 75th Anniversary was held with two services
- 1944: Six spruce trees were planted in front of the church and manse.
- 1946: German Worship was held on the first Sunday of the month, other services were English.
- 1950: The sidewalk, retaining wall and steps to the church were constructed.
- 1952: The telephone was installed in the church basement.
- 1953: Rev. Mann resigned.
- The Rev. Walter Odenbach was called (1953-1955)
- 1953: The kneeling bench was was donated.
- 1954: Many repairs including shingling the roof were done to the church.
- 1955: Rev. LeRoy Franz was chosen as pastor.
- 1956: The educational wing was added and the chancel was extended and remodeled.
- 1956-1960: The Cristian Rural Oversees program was supported with a CROP drive, a grain collection was held each harvest season.
- 1965: The Rev. LeRoy Franz resigned the pastorate.
- 1966: The Rev. Walter C. Fischer became pastor.
- Much volunteer redecorating was done in the parsonage.
- 1967: The Confirmation Class decorated the entrance wall with a cross and mural.
- Maundy Thursday Service of Shadows and the Easter Memorial Garden began.
- 1968: The mortgage on the educational unit was burned.
- A hard-covered history was published.
- The 100th Anniversary was celebrated on June 30.
- Mrs. Viola (Mann) Griep retired as organist after 32 years of service.
- Properties were purchased for parking lot.
- 1969: Tower bell and chimes were installed.
- 1972: The exterior brick were cleaned and tuck-pointed and steeples painted.
- 1974: The church pews were upholstered.
- 1977: The chancel and interior of the church were redecorated.
- Some of the original chancel furniture was renovated and used after much volunteer labor and craftsmanship.
- 1979: A new piano was purchased.
- A soft cover pictorial was produced.
- A new organ was purchased.
- 1980: The Chanel lamp was designed and installed.
- 1982: A new constitution was drawn up.
- Rev. Walter Fischer retired, August 1.
- 1983: Pastors Jo and Kevin Cassidy-Maloney were called.
- 1985: The rack for confirmation pictures was placed near the Social Hall
- 1986: The first brunch was held
- 1987: The evergreens were removed from the front of the church
- 1988: 120th Anniversary was celebrated with a Buffalo Feed.
- 1989: Pastors Jo and Kevin Cassidy-Maloney resigned.
- 1991: Rev. Edgar Wilbur served his pastorate from 1991-1992.
- The light was placed behind the Rose window.
- The steeples were repainted and a cross was placed on the higher steeple.
- 1992: The first Maundy Thursday Prayer Vigil was started.
- The property on the north side of the church was purchased.
- 1993: Rev. Ed Neff was called as pastor.
- 1995: Two repurposed stained glass windows were installed in the lower entry.
- A stained glass window was installed about the door in the upper entry
- 1997: A sweetheart outing was held.
- 1998: All stained glass windows were rededicated.
- Rev. Ed Neff resigned, last day June 28
- 1999: Garage was built West of parsonage
- 2000:Rev. Mark Binder, served from 2000-2007.
- The Young at Hearts group was formed.
- 2001: The Esther Circle joined with the Women’s Guild.
- First Soup and Sandwich Luncheon was held.
- Polka service was held. Outdoor worship service.
- Evening prayer service was held from 9/11 until Advent.
- First Soup and Sandwich Luncheon was held.
- 2002: Dishwasher, coffee maker and ceiling fan were purchased for church kitchen.
- Patchwork banner was made for the sanctuary.
- 2004-2005: Upstairs handicapped restroom was added, as well as a handicap lift.
- 2006: Church building celebrated 100th Anniversary
- 2009: Rev. Bridget Stevens served as pastor 2009-2013.
- Repair of educational wing roof.
- 2012: Easter baskets were filled for area children.
- Youth tied 30 blankets for a Children’s Hospital.
- Automatic giving was started.
- Prayer chain was started.
- Donated items were donated to victims of Hurricane Sandy.
- 2013: First silent auction was held.
- Mission Trip to Atlanta, GA.
- Overflow room was converted to a Fellowship Room.
- Rev. Deb Meyer was called as pastor.
- 2014: The youth had a taco salad stand for the Classic Car and went on a mission trips to Urban Immersion and Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD.
- Collection for Souls for Souls.
- Little Giants Preschool leased our upper Sunday School rooms for preschool class.
- 2016: Lenten Services were held at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
- Photo Directory published.
- Pastor classes held for 6th, 7th, 8th graders.
- 1st Community Thanksgiving Dinner was held.
- ?2018?: Technology System was added to the sanctuary.
- 2020: The sidewalk, retaining wall and steps to the church were reconstructed.
- 2022: Rev. Deb Meyer retired and presented a quilt of children to the church.
- Water softener was replaced with a commercial grade unit.