History of St. Paul Lutheran Church
Our church was originally named St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran Church and didn't change its name to St. Paul Lutheran Church until 1951, although it hadn't been referred to by its first name for years.
Before St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized in 1884, services were held in several different places. These locations included the Adventist Church in State Center, homes in western Marshall/eastern Story County, as well as the Voss School House in Story County with a circuit minister from Des Moines coming occasionally to conduct services.
The founders of the congregations were: William Schoppe, Sr.; August Schoppe; Conrad Funke; Carl Damman; Henry Koppey; Chris Wilkening Sr.; Chris Wohlert; Frederick Voss; and William Severidt.
Church records reveal that ministerial acts began in 1884 with the first recorded act being a baptism. In that year the Church was organized into a congregation. Pastors of record for the early years are: Rev. E.J. Buehrer, 1884-1886; Rev. John Reinsch, 1886; Rev. H. Bergstaedt, 1887-1888, Rev. W. Herrewig, 1891-1893; Rev. A.C. Kleinlein, 1893.
In 1894, under the ministry of Rev. D. Kogge (1893-1895), St. Paul congregation built a place of worship. The site chosen to build on was just slightly north of where the present parsonage is located. Rev. Carl Roemer served the congregation from 1895 to 1898 with Rev. H. Markworth serving as pastor the latter part of 1898. In 1900, under the ministry of Rev. U. Groth (1899-1910), the congregation bought a house and lot for $1200 (now 106 3rd St. N.E.), and two adjoining lots, one for $125 (now 110 3rd St. N.E.) and the other for $200 (now 208 2nd Ave. N.E.). At this time our original church was moved from the north part of town to one of the newly purchased lots. When the Church was set on the new property the altar was on the east with a small balcony to the west. A reed organ was on the balcony. Hitching posts lined the streets and there were several wells south of the church and parsonage where water was available for the horses.
Because the church was small, it had to be enlarged under the ministry of Rev. John G. Oltman (1911-1928). The balcony was removed, and a twelve-foot addition was built onto the south side of the church to recess the altar and house the pipes of the new Hinner pneumatic pipe organ.
Early congregational and council minutes reveal that in 1917 a $1700 addition was built onto the parsonage. A year later a constitution was written with one article stating all confirmed members, 18 and older, male or female, could have a voice at congregational meetings. Records show that at this time Rev. Oltman received a salary of $100 a month and the janitor received a salary of $75 year. In one instance a $10 bonus was promised to the janitor if the Women’s Society was happy with his work. During these years it was customary for the men and confirmed boys to sit on the right side of the church, while the women and children sat on the left side during worship services. German services signs were placed on the highway east and west of town to inform tourists of St. Paul’s location “2 blocks N.E. of the water tower.”
A plan to build a fireproof parish house was prepared, presented, and defeated in 1950. The next year marked a change in the legal name of our church from the St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran Church of State Center (Evangelische Luterische St. Paul’s Gemeinde) to St. Paul Lutheran Church. A new Wicks Direct Electric Action Pipe Organ was purchased with plans that this organ could be moved to a new church in the future.
The Young Married Couples Club was formed in 1955. The name was later changed to Married Couples Club.
The 75th Anniversary of the congregation was observed in 1959 and an eight-year plan and building fund for a new church was begun. In 1960 we became part of the merged American Lutheran Church.
Early in 1962, six possible sites were considered for building the new church with the Schuler property (now 605 1st Ave. N.) being purchased. In 1964 under the ministry of Rev. LaVerne R. Meinecke (1963-1980), the congregation approved the floor plans for a contemporary design, which would seat 300 in the nave with an overflow of 200. The bid from the contractor was accepted and selling bonds financed the construction.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held July 4, 1965. Many hands aided in pulling a long rope attached to a one-bottom plow.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid October 10, 1965. Some of the 44 items placed in the cornerstone are the German Pulpit Bible used at the German services, the English Pulpit Bible used until October 3, 1965, a hymn book, a baptismal napkin given to a child at his baptism, a list of baptized and confirmed members of St. Paul, a list of Sunday School students and teachers, a membership list of Luther league and Married Couples Club, the name of the president of the United States, the governor of Iowa, the mayor of State Center, and a new $1.00 bill.
On July 31, 1966, one year ahead of the original eight-year building plan, St. Paul proudly dedicated its new church and the educational unity. Worship services began at the old church. The congregation the walked to the new church carrying the flags, altar supplies, Bible, etc., with the worship service concluded there.
The old church and property were sold, also in 1966. The church was later torn down and that property is now the site of the Mrs. Carla Meinecke home. The parish house was also sold. Earlier this same year, the congregation decided to change from the Common Service Book to its red Service Hymnal Book, which remained in use until the summer of 1983. The green Lutheran Book of Worship was then adopted.
The mortgage for the new church was burned at a Sunday morning service on June 15, 1975. In 1967 the congregation purchased the Delaware property (now 602 1st Ave. N.) and eight years later the congregation voted to build a new parsonage. A groundbreaking for the new parsonage was held on September 28, 1975, and the parsonage was dedicated in the spring of 1976. The old parsonage was sold the same year. The mortgage for the new parsonage was burned on December 14, 1980.
The constitution was again rewritten in 1981 under the ministry of Rev. R.D. Ehlers (1980-1991). The council was restructured and the voting age of a member was lowered from eighteen years of age to all those confirmed.
In 1984 we celebrated our Centennial with many activities. Once of the events held was a releasing of balloons (with names attached) by the Sunday school children.
In 1988 the ALC, LCA, and AELC merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Pastor Mark J. Holmes accepted our call in December of 1991.
Pastor Don Rothweiler served the St. Paul Lutheran Church from 1998-2001. Pastor Rothweiler brought new and creative ways to deliver worship messages including a community last supper play, community Thanksgiving service, as well as puppetry for children. Pastor Rothweiler has a very strong understanding of scripture that was beneficial to the congregation.
Pastor Gary MacManus served the St. Paul Lutheran Church from 2001-2007. Pastor MacManus was very involved with the youth of the church and was interested in promoting youth involvement in the church. Pastor MacManus was also active in ministry through community involvement.
St. Paul has always had the reputation form the musical talents of many of the members. We have been fortunate to always have talented organists within our membership. Two long time organists who dedicate many hours to their positions are sisters, Dona Veran and DeArliss Karsjen. In 1951, approval was given for the pipe organ to be rebuilt.
Early choirs were conducted by the minister and the first choir was organized while Rev. Oltman was our minister 1911-1928. The junior choir was organized in 1949 and now is the Sunday School Choir. In the 1980s there were three choirs – Jr. Choir, Youth Choir, and Adult Choir and all three were directed by Dorine Lampkin. With the formation of the Sunday School Choir, the Jr. Choir and the Youth Choirs no longer exist. The choirs give annual Easter Cantatas and Christmas Programs.
The bell choirs – Praise Tones adult choir and God’s Little Ringers – were established in the 1990s and have shared their music monthly during services and also have presented many programs for the community.
The God Infusion musical group was organized during 2003 and includes all ages and welcomes all new participants.
Since 1984 the congregation has conducted a tape ministry, whereby the services are recorded each Sunday and delivered by volunteers to the homebound.
The JOY (Just Older Youth) Group was organized in the early 1990s. They are the catalyst for a good share of the landscaping around the church. The group has also sponsored the annual Fish Fries during Lent for the last ten years. The JOY group has also given financial support to projects including LSI, video projection system, kitchen dishwasher, and Riverside campers.
The ladies of the church are organized as the Women of the ELCA, but originally were the Ladies Aid when they were organized in 1910. This group helped with many church activities during the years. For years they held annual bake sales (with lots of German kuchen) and ice cream socials for fundraisers. One of their ongoing projects is the annual quilting. Over 400 quilts are made each year for Lutheran World Relief, Bremwood and Beloit Children’s Homes and also for the Caring Center and Helping Hands in Marshall County. They also sponsored semi-annual clothing drives and continue to sponsor the Golden Age Banquet annually for our older members. They have sponsored two cookbooks – the first in 1966 and one in 1997.
Caring, sharing and church fellowship continue as the focus of our church. We help support foreign missionaries with our monetary gifts and encouragements. The Sunday school classes visit the Manor residents regularly. Agape service is available on Sunday afternoons.
St. Paul continues to grow in its worship service offerings to the community. In 2008 a new video projections system was added to the sanctuary to enhance the worship experience. Also in 2008, a contemporary service was added in addition to the traditional service. The God Infusion group provides musical content for the contemporary service.
There have been only 18 ministers in the history of the church. In 2009, we will be observing the 125th anniversary of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Before St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized in 1884, services were held in several different places. These locations included the Adventist Church in State Center, homes in western Marshall/eastern Story County, as well as the Voss School House in Story County with a circuit minister from Des Moines coming occasionally to conduct services.
The founders of the congregations were: William Schoppe, Sr.; August Schoppe; Conrad Funke; Carl Damman; Henry Koppey; Chris Wilkening Sr.; Chris Wohlert; Frederick Voss; and William Severidt.
Church records reveal that ministerial acts began in 1884 with the first recorded act being a baptism. In that year the Church was organized into a congregation. Pastors of record for the early years are: Rev. E.J. Buehrer, 1884-1886; Rev. John Reinsch, 1886; Rev. H. Bergstaedt, 1887-1888, Rev. W. Herrewig, 1891-1893; Rev. A.C. Kleinlein, 1893.
In 1894, under the ministry of Rev. D. Kogge (1893-1895), St. Paul congregation built a place of worship. The site chosen to build on was just slightly north of where the present parsonage is located. Rev. Carl Roemer served the congregation from 1895 to 1898 with Rev. H. Markworth serving as pastor the latter part of 1898. In 1900, under the ministry of Rev. U. Groth (1899-1910), the congregation bought a house and lot for $1200 (now 106 3rd St. N.E.), and two adjoining lots, one for $125 (now 110 3rd St. N.E.) and the other for $200 (now 208 2nd Ave. N.E.). At this time our original church was moved from the north part of town to one of the newly purchased lots. When the Church was set on the new property the altar was on the east with a small balcony to the west. A reed organ was on the balcony. Hitching posts lined the streets and there were several wells south of the church and parsonage where water was available for the horses.
Because the church was small, it had to be enlarged under the ministry of Rev. John G. Oltman (1911-1928). The balcony was removed, and a twelve-foot addition was built onto the south side of the church to recess the altar and house the pipes of the new Hinner pneumatic pipe organ.
Early congregational and council minutes reveal that in 1917 a $1700 addition was built onto the parsonage. A year later a constitution was written with one article stating all confirmed members, 18 and older, male or female, could have a voice at congregational meetings. Records show that at this time Rev. Oltman received a salary of $100 a month and the janitor received a salary of $75 year. In one instance a $10 bonus was promised to the janitor if the Women’s Society was happy with his work. During these years it was customary for the men and confirmed boys to sit on the right side of the church, while the women and children sat on the left side during worship services. German services signs were placed on the highway east and west of town to inform tourists of St. Paul’s location “2 blocks N.E. of the water tower.”
A plan to build a fireproof parish house was prepared, presented, and defeated in 1950. The next year marked a change in the legal name of our church from the St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran Church of State Center (Evangelische Luterische St. Paul’s Gemeinde) to St. Paul Lutheran Church. A new Wicks Direct Electric Action Pipe Organ was purchased with plans that this organ could be moved to a new church in the future.
The Young Married Couples Club was formed in 1955. The name was later changed to Married Couples Club.
The 75th Anniversary of the congregation was observed in 1959 and an eight-year plan and building fund for a new church was begun. In 1960 we became part of the merged American Lutheran Church.
Early in 1962, six possible sites were considered for building the new church with the Schuler property (now 605 1st Ave. N.) being purchased. In 1964 under the ministry of Rev. LaVerne R. Meinecke (1963-1980), the congregation approved the floor plans for a contemporary design, which would seat 300 in the nave with an overflow of 200. The bid from the contractor was accepted and selling bonds financed the construction.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held July 4, 1965. Many hands aided in pulling a long rope attached to a one-bottom plow.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid October 10, 1965. Some of the 44 items placed in the cornerstone are the German Pulpit Bible used at the German services, the English Pulpit Bible used until October 3, 1965, a hymn book, a baptismal napkin given to a child at his baptism, a list of baptized and confirmed members of St. Paul, a list of Sunday School students and teachers, a membership list of Luther league and Married Couples Club, the name of the president of the United States, the governor of Iowa, the mayor of State Center, and a new $1.00 bill.
On July 31, 1966, one year ahead of the original eight-year building plan, St. Paul proudly dedicated its new church and the educational unity. Worship services began at the old church. The congregation the walked to the new church carrying the flags, altar supplies, Bible, etc., with the worship service concluded there.
The old church and property were sold, also in 1966. The church was later torn down and that property is now the site of the Mrs. Carla Meinecke home. The parish house was also sold. Earlier this same year, the congregation decided to change from the Common Service Book to its red Service Hymnal Book, which remained in use until the summer of 1983. The green Lutheran Book of Worship was then adopted.
The mortgage for the new church was burned at a Sunday morning service on June 15, 1975. In 1967 the congregation purchased the Delaware property (now 602 1st Ave. N.) and eight years later the congregation voted to build a new parsonage. A groundbreaking for the new parsonage was held on September 28, 1975, and the parsonage was dedicated in the spring of 1976. The old parsonage was sold the same year. The mortgage for the new parsonage was burned on December 14, 1980.
The constitution was again rewritten in 1981 under the ministry of Rev. R.D. Ehlers (1980-1991). The council was restructured and the voting age of a member was lowered from eighteen years of age to all those confirmed.
In 1984 we celebrated our Centennial with many activities. Once of the events held was a releasing of balloons (with names attached) by the Sunday school children.
In 1988 the ALC, LCA, and AELC merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Pastor Mark J. Holmes accepted our call in December of 1991.
Pastor Don Rothweiler served the St. Paul Lutheran Church from 1998-2001. Pastor Rothweiler brought new and creative ways to deliver worship messages including a community last supper play, community Thanksgiving service, as well as puppetry for children. Pastor Rothweiler has a very strong understanding of scripture that was beneficial to the congregation.
Pastor Gary MacManus served the St. Paul Lutheran Church from 2001-2007. Pastor MacManus was very involved with the youth of the church and was interested in promoting youth involvement in the church. Pastor MacManus was also active in ministry through community involvement.
St. Paul has always had the reputation form the musical talents of many of the members. We have been fortunate to always have talented organists within our membership. Two long time organists who dedicate many hours to their positions are sisters, Dona Veran and DeArliss Karsjen. In 1951, approval was given for the pipe organ to be rebuilt.
Early choirs were conducted by the minister and the first choir was organized while Rev. Oltman was our minister 1911-1928. The junior choir was organized in 1949 and now is the Sunday School Choir. In the 1980s there were three choirs – Jr. Choir, Youth Choir, and Adult Choir and all three were directed by Dorine Lampkin. With the formation of the Sunday School Choir, the Jr. Choir and the Youth Choirs no longer exist. The choirs give annual Easter Cantatas and Christmas Programs.
The bell choirs – Praise Tones adult choir and God’s Little Ringers – were established in the 1990s and have shared their music monthly during services and also have presented many programs for the community.
The God Infusion musical group was organized during 2003 and includes all ages and welcomes all new participants.
Since 1984 the congregation has conducted a tape ministry, whereby the services are recorded each Sunday and delivered by volunteers to the homebound.
The JOY (Just Older Youth) Group was organized in the early 1990s. They are the catalyst for a good share of the landscaping around the church. The group has also sponsored the annual Fish Fries during Lent for the last ten years. The JOY group has also given financial support to projects including LSI, video projection system, kitchen dishwasher, and Riverside campers.
The ladies of the church are organized as the Women of the ELCA, but originally were the Ladies Aid when they were organized in 1910. This group helped with many church activities during the years. For years they held annual bake sales (with lots of German kuchen) and ice cream socials for fundraisers. One of their ongoing projects is the annual quilting. Over 400 quilts are made each year for Lutheran World Relief, Bremwood and Beloit Children’s Homes and also for the Caring Center and Helping Hands in Marshall County. They also sponsored semi-annual clothing drives and continue to sponsor the Golden Age Banquet annually for our older members. They have sponsored two cookbooks – the first in 1966 and one in 1997.
Caring, sharing and church fellowship continue as the focus of our church. We help support foreign missionaries with our monetary gifts and encouragements. The Sunday school classes visit the Manor residents regularly. Agape service is available on Sunday afternoons.
St. Paul continues to grow in its worship service offerings to the community. In 2008 a new video projections system was added to the sanctuary to enhance the worship experience. Also in 2008, a contemporary service was added in addition to the traditional service. The God Infusion group provides musical content for the contemporary service.
There have been only 18 ministers in the history of the church. In 2009, we will be observing the 125th anniversary of St. Paul Lutheran Church.