Paul's has a history of looking at the needs of the community and taking action! Paul's continues to be engaged in responding to the needs of this community through their partnerships with community organizations that share the desire to serve our neighbors in need. For more information about our history, and the story of how they moved the stone church building, keep reading. For many years the p
eople of the community where St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is now located had to travel great distances to worship. So a devoted group of residents decided to rectify the situation and in 1829 a combined 2 story log schoolhouse and church meeting house was built at the eastern boundary of the present cemetery. This is the original cemetery that was laid out at that time by the schoolmaster who lived on the second floor of the meeting house. In 1858, the "stone church" was built (a memorial is erected at that site midway down the cemetery near the Wertzville Road) on an additional 1/2 acre of land bought from Mr. The lovely stone and other materials were secured nearby. Stover was pastor at that time. The first Sunday School was organized during the pastorate of Rev. Two years later an additional tract of timber land was purchased, and the following year major repairs were made to the walls of the church. The walls were studded, lathed, plastered, and calcimined to keep out the water. In 1890 a group of concerned parishioners decided repairs and improvements were again needed. The repairs were made, and a 500-pound steel bell was purchased, and a belfry built to house it. The church was rededicated in 1893. Three years later the church was chartered St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Wertzville Road known as the "Old State Road" was rebuilt in 1930 making it a more modern highway and making the church more accessible. In 1933 the congregation again authorized improvements. The interior was repainted and touched up and the beautiful native stone sanctuary was built consisting of the alter, credence table, floor, ceiling, and walls. It was the only native stone sanctuary in Cumberland County. Today it is still a source of inspiration to many. Membership increased and space was limited for the church to enlarge with the cemetery on three sides and the road on the other. So, in 1956, St. Paul's made history when the church was moved, intact, 675 feet west to the present site. During the next two years, the Christian Education Unit was constructed, and renovations of the church were made, and the cornerstone was ceremoniously laid in 1958. Much time and effort were freely donated by members and the minister, Pastor Manges. As architectural drawings had been previously made for a parsonage, the people volunteered once more and the lovely stone parsonage, adjacent to the church, was erected in 1962. Three years later a rededication was held to commemorate improvements made to the Christian Education Wing. People not only gave of their time and effort but of their money and in 1973 there was a Thanksgiving Mortgage Burning Service. Conditions were stable until the spring of 1977, when, on May 8, 1977 - Mother’s Day - a violent wind storm caused an electric wire to erupt from an outside light and started a fire. The vestibule and belfry were destroyed by fire; and much water damage was incurred to the sanctuary. Due to the quick action of neighbors and fire companies, the main structure of the church was saved. After months of negotiating with the insurance company and having Congregational Meetings to decide the extent and nature of repairs; with Pastor Butts acting as mediator, renovations were begun in mid-December; on May 14, 1978 - Mother’s Day - the rededication service was held. Today we can see the culmination of the efforts of all those involved
