1873 [August 10th] A new congregation was formally organized in Racine with the corporate name of “German Evangelical St. Paul’s Church.” This church was based on a model that attempted to unite Lutheran and Reformed theology in one teaching. The first worship services were held in the old Racine County Courthouse. The first resident pastor was Samuel Weber.

1874 [July 6th] The cornerstone of the new church building was laid at the site near the junction of Marquette and Liberty streets. The building measured 30x50 feet.

1883 Because most of the new members lived north of the church, it was decided that the church should be moved to a location more central to its members. Two lots were purchased at the intersection of Geneva and Kewaunee streets and the church was moved to this site. A frame schoolhouse and parsonage were added later.

1886-1894 Rapid turnover and internal dissension resulted in serious numerical losses. The future of the congregation was uncertain. It was decided that the Lutheran/Reformed model should be abandoned, and that a pastor of the Lutheran Augsburg Conference (one of the predecessors of the ELCA) would be called.

1897 [August 1st] The name of the congregation was changed to “St. Paul’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church,” and a new constitution was adopted.

1898 Voting membership, all men, was 50. Pastor Ferdinand Huber was called to St. Paul’s, and the congregation entered a new era.

1913 A vestibule, balcony, and tower were added to front of the building (total cost: $1600)

1919 Two evening services per month in the English language were introduced (previously all services had been in German).

1921 The evening services were discontinued and it was decided to have German worship every Sunday at 10:15 a.m. with English worship at 9:00 a.m. on the first and third Sundays. Later, English worship was offered every Sunday in addition to the German services.

1923 A new chancel, organ room, and sacristy were added to the rear of the building (total cost: $2145)

1933 The entire church basement was excavated and a cement floor laid, giving the Sunday School much needed space.

1936 Pastor Huber retired after 38 years at St. Paul’s. Carl Kionka was called as the new pastor.

1937 [April 4th] The new parish hall, constructed on the site of the old schoolhouse, was dedicated. The building served both educational and social purposes, and included a stage on which many plays were presented by the youth.

1940 [March] A serious fire caused extensive damage to the church, especially the south wall and roof. During repairs, new art glass windows were installed.

1944 The congregation celebrated a “mortgage burning” – both the repairs and the new parish hall were completely paid for!

1946 Reflecting the changing membership, the official name of the congregation was changed to “St. Paul’s Lutheran Church” (eliminating the word “German”).

1948 By this time it had become clear that the future of the church depended on a relocation further north.

1949 Five lots at the corner of Melvin Avenue and Erie Street were purchased for the purpose of building a new church.

1956 [July} The local German Church of God purchased the old church and parsonage.

1957 The new parsonage was built and dedicated at the new site.

1958 [September 28th] The new church was finished and dedicated. The modified Gothic structure was valued at $175,000 when built. The exterior is lannon stone and Indiana limestone.

1959 Stained glass windows were installed in the new church. In the nave, the windows follow the life of Jesus from Christmas to the Ascension. In the balcony, a large window of “Jesus Knocking at the Door” recalls a painting on the front wall of the old church. In the entrance, four windows portray the four gospels, and above the main door a window depicts the conversion of St. Paul.

1965-1966 The planned-for addition of another wing was completed, at a cost of $75,000, and a 35-foot copper spire was installed atop the church.

1966 Pastor Kionka retired after almost thirty years. Richard Heins was called as the new pastor.The world was changing rapidly, and the church needed to respond. An informal folk service was added, which reflected the style of music popular at that time. The structure and organization of the church also began to change. An Altar Guild was organized to prepare the sanctuary for worship – a task that had previously fallen to the pastors’ wives. Another big change was the addition of a church secretary to help manage the office. Mervonne McKenzie was employed as the first secretary.

1969 [October 16th] The Neighborhood Center for Seniors was organized, and it is still going strong today!

1975 Pastor Heins resigns; James Ullom is called as the new pastor.

1977 Many areas of the church were renovated and redecorated, including the Fellowship Hall, office area, and sanctuary. The outstanding debt on the mortgage was paid off this year, and a new loan of $75,000 was taken out to finance the cost of this project.

1980 A Wicks pipe organ was purchased, containing 17 ranks totaling 986 pipes. An additional rank of oboe pipes and a 25 note chime were added later. This same year, a new structure for the Church Council was adopted and the constitution was revised.
 

1981 Pastor Ullom retired

1982 Richard Halom is called as pastor

1986 Chair lifts were added to the main entrance in an effort to make our building more accessible.

1987 Choir loft was expanded

1989 Church roof was replaced and insulation installed

1990 Kitchen in the parsonage was remodeled

1991 A patio was built and new landscaping planted. The parsonage received new siding, windows and roof.

1995 The library was relocated and the Heritage Room was developed.

1999 Pastor Halom retired

2000 Raejoy Laakonen called as pastor

2001 Pastor Laakonen resigned

2003 [November 30th] Pastor Sara VanDeBerg installed

2007 Pastor Sara VanDeBerg resigned