St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church 1853
History
The congregation’s history at St. Paul’s begins in 1839 when German Lutheran immigrants came to Liverpool, NY. The Rev. K. Rechenberg made an effort to organize the settlers into a congregation in 1842. More German Lutheran immigrants came to the area around 1850, many from locations surrounding Worms, Germany, the city in which Martin Luther stood trial for his beliefs over 500 years ago. In 1853, the Ascension Episcopal Church, empty for many years, was offered to the German settlers for $1,200. In January of 1854, the congregation was incorporated at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Liverpool, NY.
Due to continued growth, a new church, costing $5,000, was built on the corner of Oswego and Vine streets and was dedicated on November 14, 1896. During World War I, disagreements reduced the congregation significantly but by the 1920s, membership again began to grow. In the fall of 1931, Pastor and Mrs. John Dudde established a Sunday School in Galeville, where eventually, the school grew to some eighty children. One of Pastor Dudde’s conditions for his pastorate at St. Paul’s was the instituting of an English service every Sunday. For many years he also conducted a German service at an earlier hour, but the frequency of German services was gradually reduced as demand lessened. The last German service was held on Reformation Sunday in 1941. There was one exception; in November 1946, a German service was held in honor of a member, Mrs. Anna Nenzel, on her 100th birthday.
By 1953, the church council determined that soon the building at Oswego and Vine Streets would no longer suit the church’s needs, so a fund drive was begun for a new church. In March 1957, Pastor Dudde was succeeded by Pastor Walter Kopp. Evangelism and stewardship were Pastor Kopp’s primary goals. In 1957, the Lutheran Church Women was formed, as well as an intermediate Luther League (7th and 8th grade catechetical classes). On the current site of St. Paul’s, the building of an education facility was completed in 1958 with a mortgage of $100,000. The Steeple Light (monthly newsletter) was introduced in 1961. Ground was broken for the present church in 1964, adding it to the educational facility. The new church was completed in 1965, and Dudde Hall was dedicated in October 1965, in recognition of Pastor John Dudde’s 50th year of ordination. Under Rev. Kopp’s pastorate, a deacon program was instituted, the Liverpool Community Nursery School was established and newer stained glass windows replaced the amber paned windows in St. Paul’s sanctuary. Pastor Kopp retired in 1986, and the Kopp Conference Room was dedicated commemorating his service to St. Paul’s.
Under the leadership of Rev. William Seibert, who served St. Paul's from 1986 to 1996, the dream of a new organ was set into motion. This project, which took 5 years to complete, was fulfilled in October,1992. Our current Bozeman organ was introduced to the congregation in a celebratory service on Reformation Sunday, with Luther's, 'A Mighty Fortress is our God,' highlighting the event. In 1987, the first of many Mother’s Day Musicals were introduced. The first was “Adam’s Apple,” followed by other memorable ones like “Double Occupancy,” “The Show Goes On,” “Hans Bronson’s Gold Medal Mission,” and “24/7.”
First two churches for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Years 1853 and 1896. Picture of one of our stained glass windows.
In 1988, the Lutheran Church of America, American Lutheran Church and American Evangelical Lutheran Church merged to form the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America); of which St. Paul’s became a member in 2001 under the leadership of Rev. Diane Wheatley.
Rev. Diane Wheatley, serving from 1996 to 2015, was the Pastor when we completed the New Millennium project (in September 1999). This project included making the foyer larger by removing the walls of an office, replacing all windows and doors in the educational wing and new doors at our main entrance. Also at that time, we created a new work room, a handicap restroom and storage rooms off Dudde Hall.
During Pastor Wheatley’s ministry, the American Heritage concerts were created as an all church participation event to reach out to the community. Thanksgiving was celebrated along with Veterans Day. The choir, wind ensemble, and various scripts written for such occasion became an annual event for 16 years.
In 2015, the church reintroduced a men’s group (previously Thee Brotherhood), Men of St. Paul’s (group which supports various causes of the church and specifically there to support the property committee as needed). We also began our Super Sunday event which celebrated various committees and history of the church. This event is held within the first few weeks of September annually. Our Sauerbraten meals have continued annually in November as well as other fundraising and fellowship meals throughout the year. In 2020, St. Paul’s began sharing a Pastor (Debora Stein) with St. Stephen in Syracuse. This was a 50/50 sharing arrangement. At the same time she was called St. Paul’s, we also had to adapt to the coronavirus spreading across the globe. We began livestreaming our services at this time and continue this today on Facebook and YouTube. In 2023, Pastor Stein moved out of the Syracuse area and we began the exploration and call process for a new Pastor.
On November 1st, 2024, our newly called Pastor, Rev. Julie Kelly began with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church as a joint call with Lutheran Campus Ministry at Syracuse University.
St. Paul’s will be celebrating their 175th Anniversary in 2028. We invite you to submit your memories of St. Paul’s. Please email (stpaulslivtreasurer@gmail.com) your stories and pictures anytime!