St. Paul's Lutheran Church

God has Blessed Us with Fine Facilities

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands,” the Apostle Paul emphasized to people in Athens (Acts 17:31). Yet, in Old Testament times God directed his people to build first a tabernacle and then a temple. With these God reminded his people of his presence and provided his people a focal point for worship. Throughout the ages God’s people have built structures to worship and honor him. God’s people gathered in these structures in his name. God gathered with them and gave them his blessings through his word and sacrament. 

 

Through her 140 years St. Paul’s has been blessed with fine facilities where we could gather to bless and be blessed by God. A year after our beginning, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church dedicated our first church in 1866. A tornado destroyed that church in 1881. It was replaced by a larger facility expanded in 1899, rehabilitated in 1950, and refurbished to its present state in 1991.

 

In 2001 God enabled our congregation to add a 20,000 sq. ft. parish center that allowed St. Paul’s to expand our gospel ministry to more people in a variety of ways, including a teen center/coffee house.  We were able to purchase several homes and have them moved freeing up area next to our church for our new addition.

 

Our school began in the rebuilt first church. St. Paul’s improved the school facilities by adding a

frame building then replacing it with a two-story school. In time this building was renovated to create

even more classrooms. Concordia Bowling Lanes, located next door, was purchased and remodeled to further expand the facilities. In 1971 the school was relocated to a completely new site at 126 S. Payne St. and a new building was constructed.

 

During our history, our congregation also built several parsonages which not only provided homes for our

pastors but served as church offices, mini-ministry centers, and marriage chapels.  Currently we also own several houses for use as offices as well as homes for those who approach St. Paul's and need a place to live, for various reasons.

 

For 140 years the Lord has blessed our congregation with fine facilities where his people gathered for various purposes and where God gathered with them. God has been good to our congregation. During this 140th anniversary celebration we give God thanks for his blessing.

 

One of the special opportunities for us St. Paul’s members to do this will be through a special Parish Center Debt Retirement Offering. Look for more information that will be coming during October 2005.