Our History

May 30, 1898 Saint Paul Lutheran Church was organized. Charter members were H. A. Wobig, A. F. Wobig, Charles Arndt, Henry Groth, Oscar Kunz, F. P. Wobig, Frank Haase, A. E. Wobig, Fred Schmuck, August Brierfeldt, Fred Haase, Fred Smutlack, Emil Krause, Frank Manthei, Frank Protcka, Paul Remarkel, John Krause and John Augestin. The first congregation council was Frank Manthei, Frederick Smutlack, Frederick Schmuck, Herman Wobig, and John Ferber. No women’s names are listed as charter members as women had no congregational vote. During worship services, men sat on one side and women on the other. Records are in German.

Services were held in the 400 block SE at the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The 1899 annual meeting voted to build the first sanctuary later that year. Louis Ferber, Frederick Wobig and John Ferber are the building committee. The Ladies Aid, Luther League and Men’s Club donated labor and financial support for the buildings and furnishings.

The church dedication in 1899 was in both German and English. Worship was only in German until 1916. From 1916 - 1955 two communion services each year were in German.

Saint Paul Lutheran Church has been served by many pastors. First, “supply” or “student” pastors did the work part time, many times staying only a few days. In the early 1900s pastors’ salaries ranged from $80 to $200 a year. Many years, the one source of income for the pastor was certain special offerings. Job security was a problem. A young minister’s preaching might draw a reaction from some members who wanted to “throw him out” after only a few Sundays.

Pastors: 

• Joachim Oelkers, 1899;
• John Fritz, 1900-01;
• Rudolph Kohlrusch, 1902-03;
• C. Meyer, 1904;
• Herman Drews, 1905;
• Alexander Moench, 1908-16;
• Leopold Moench, 1916-18;
• William Zibell, 1918-23;
• Dr. Edward Arthur Welke, 1923-31;
• Rev. George Matthiae, 1931-40;
• Henry Prieb, 1940-48;
• Erwin Otto Kunz, 1948-58;
• Larry Kocha, 1958-63;
• Elroy Buhr, 1963-68;        
• Carl Klein, 1968-80;
• Randall Schlecht, 1973-78;
• William Straka, 1979-83;
• Stephen Kidder, 1981-83;
• Merlyn Satrom, 1983-84;
• Terje C. Hausken, 1984-92;
• Earl Amundson, 1985-88;
• Judd Larson, 1989-90;
• Tom Danklefson, 1990-93;
• Tom Anderson, 1992-93;
• Al Walck, 1994;
• John Lohre, 1993-Present;
• Gail Madson, 1994-2000;
• Kathy Gauger, 2000-01;
• Kip Groettum, 2001-Present
• Two of our pastors left pastoral ministry to serve:
•  Leopold Moench to be a professor of mathematics at St. Paul Luther College, Saint Paul, MN in 1918 and
• Dr. Edward A. Welke to be president of the Minnesota District of the American Lutheran Church for 20+ years beginning in 1931.

Seven members were ordained into parish ministry:

• Robert Grendahl 1959,
• Allen Hastings 1964,
• Gary Wees 1990,
• Carl Glamm 1995,
• Matthew Hausken
• Jack & Dawn Coffey in 2000. 

 Property:  

• The first parsonage was purchased from Albert Glamm in 1906.
•  The present parsonage (213 Second St SW) was built in 1919. Pastor William Zibell lived in it first.
•  In 1972 the present parsonage (1919) got new siding, shingles, and interior remodeling.
•  The congregation owned a schoolhouse for religious instruction. It was used 4 days per week for 3 months each year.
• In 1916 a Sunday School wing was added to the sanctuary.
• The fellowship hall was built in 1957 with one temporary wall that would join to a new sanctuary.
• The present sanctuary was built in 1969 and dedicated Feb 22, 1970. The Lord’s Supper scene from the original altar was built into the new altar.
• The bell tower was built in 1970 with memorials and money raised by the women. It holds the 1300 pound bronze bell purchased by the Ladies Aid in 1911. The bell still calls people to worship.

The Organ and Organists:

• The pipe organ was first dedicated in 1927. During our 75^th anniversary it was completely rebuilt, enlarged to 15 ranks, and placed in the present location in the choir loft.
• The second dedication was May 20, 1973 with an organ recital by Rev. R. E. Scoggin of Rochester.
• The second complete rebuilding began in the summer of 1995. It now has 26 ranks, 10 of them pipes and 16 electronic. It was dedicated during our centennial in 1998.
•  Some of our organists served for only a “thank you”; some for $12 a year. Among them are
•  Hedwig “Hattie” Schultz (Mrs. Leonard Lueck) (Hattie played German service once/year during Katherine years),
• Katherine Klingsporn 1932-2007,
• Amanda Birkholz (when Katherine Klingsporn’s daughters were born in 1943, 45 and 48),   
• Florence Lewis and Thelma Miller (also filled in for Katherine),
• Diane Webb 2002- Present.

 Firsts and Milestones::

• The first baptism was Emma Clara Arndt on August 21, 1898.
•  The first confirmands were Ida Krause, Agnes Stiller and Helen Remarkel.
• The first couple married was William Wobig and Amalia Stiller
• Mr and Mrs Fred Glamm were the first couple married in the sanctuary.
•  The first recorded funeral is Albert Stiller, 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. August Stiller.

Significant changes are:

1942 - The German Seal of Saint Paul Lutheran Church is recorded in English.

1944 - The set of individual glasses for communion is purchased, replacing the common cup.

1947 - The envelope system for contributions is started.

1950 - The Building Fund Committee for a new church: A. E. Wobig, Ed Starz, Marion Hopper

1954 - The congregation votes that all women members 21 or older are voting members.

1959 - Lorraine Smith becomes the first church secretary (as a volunteer).

1969 - A new constitution is adopted. All members 18 years of age or older could now vote.

1971 - First Communion classes began for fifth graders.

1973 - Sunday School children (lower grades) attend part of the worship service and then go to class.

1974 - Service Groups begin and work well.

1975 – Office is built for the secretary. New blacktop is laid on the NE parking lot.

1977 - Church library begins by lending out books.

1978 - Kitchen is remodeled. We begin using, The Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW).

            Carlyle Johnson becomes church custodian.

1979 – Congregation purchases the Glamm property, west of present sanctuary.

            Congregation sponsors missionary Pastor David Johnson and family

1982 – Stewardship Committee completes an “every member visit”.

1983 – Installs new roof on Fellowship Hall. Sells and moves Glamm house. Pave west parking lot.

            Doug Strandell becomes music director until 1988.

1984 - Diane Webb becomes choir pianist.

1985 - Grant Boyer became our parish assistant (June). Library moves to Fireside Room.

            New carpet laid in Narthex, Fireside Room + offices.

1986 - Anna Loos Estate gifts Saint Paul. 
           Women begin making quilts for our confirmed high school graduates from our congregation each May.
           Present 350+ quilts 1986-2008.

1987 – Purchase and demolish Darrel Miller house to enlarge west parking lot.

1988 - New office addition and handicapped facilities were added. 
           Diane Toogood serves as Minister of Music and served for eight years. She organizes and conducts seven choirs.

1989 - Ruby Mohr gives Steinway grand piano.

1990 – Establish Building fund. Chime bells are a gift from Rudy Mohr.

            Youth attend Dallas National Youth Gathering. 
            Stephen Ministers start training October.

1991 – Ratify “Amended constitution”. Trustees and deacons now are council members.

            Secretary Lorraine Smith retires: 31 years. 
            Karel Titus is new administrative secretary.

1992 - Committee of 5 raises funds for office remodeling.

            Youth go on Boundary Waters canoe trip. 
            Establish Bill Mahlke campership memorial.

            Office begins using computers for bookkeeping. 
            Jule McCullough is volunteer office staff.

1993 - Congregation amends by-laws to establish a Mission Board. 
            Church income is $196,180.

            Remodel the office area. 
            Youths backpack at Sky Ranch, CO.

1994 - An 8 week Grief and Growth seminar begins using interim Pastor Al Walck’s 8 week outline.

            Youth attend Atlanta National Youth Gathering.

            Responsion benevolence program begins.

         Reshingle sanctuary roof.             
         Repair hail damage on Fellowship hall roof.

         Two pouring chalices are a gift for Holy Communion.

1995 – Congregation approves Mission (Board) Committee constitutionally.

            Mission Committee administers Responsion monies for local + worldwide needs.

            A fund begins for new sanctuary lighting. 
            A fund begins for rebuilding the pipe organ.

            Seventh graders go on retreat at Good Earth Village to study the Apostle’s Creed.

            High school youth canoe trip to Boundary Waters.

            We adopt a “sister” congregation, San Lucas Lutheran, in Bogota, Colombia

1996 - Kent Jurgenson becomes music director. 
           Youth trip to Superior Hiking Trail on North Shore.

            “Fellowship for Families” begins.

           A youth and adult work/service group paints Irene Glamm’s house.

           Pave the west parking lot.  Lay new Carpet in the sanctuary.

           “Dinners for 8” fellowship groups begin.
            Jule McCullough begins as paid office staff.

            Church Income is $205,777.

1997 – Create a centennial celebration committee to oversee a special congregational event each month of centennial year.
            Congregation purchases the adjacent Samuelson & Holte properties for $82,000. 
            Youth attend New Orleans National Youth Gathering

         Youth + adults paint Arnold Ferber home: service project. 
         Marlowe McGowan - Fin Sec

1998 - 100 years old.  
            Dedicate rebuilt Pipe organ in honor of Katherine Klingsporn. 
            Custodian Carlyle Johnson retires after 20 years.  
            New pews upholstery, sanctuary lights, landscape.

            New picture directory of members celebrates that we are 100 years old.

1999 - Create 10 for 10 to thank God for 100 years.  
           Purchase the Keane property for $140,000.

            Lynn Ness is part-time Education Director. 
            Replace 19 windows in fellowship hall.

            David & Becky Radtke are custodians.
            Carol Larson is paid office staff.

2000 - 30 Youth + Alfonso Corso (Bogota, Colombia) attend St Louis National Youth Gathering

            Install 2 new boilers.
            Custodians: Lonnie, Audrey, Kelly& Casey Sather.

2001 - Project worship words on screen (9/9).
           Give Scholarship $ to San Lucas in Bogota, Colombia

            Largest special offering ever is Lutheran Disaster Relief (9/11), $3,000.

            Stewardship picture presentation shows budget percentages and member activities.

            Begin series of 7 years of Lenten dramas, 5 by Arley Fadness.
            Church Income is $299,481.44

2002 – Lynn Ness & Laura Gathje share Education Director position.
            Take down Sacristy walls.

            Move screen to back wall. We project worship words and pictures to screen.
            Daniel Corso (Alfonso’s brother) stays with Lunde family to learn English.

           New picture directory of members honors Katherine Klingsporn for 70 years of Service in Music to the Glory of God, 1932-2002.

2003 -  Jan 22 special meeting - 84 yes, 12 no: construct 104’X64’ addition: $654,126 @ 5.75%

            34 Youth attend National Youth Gathering in Atlanta, GA.

            Julie Vahlsing is Financial Secretary,
            Diane Webb is paid office staff

2004 -  Jody Titus & Laura Gathje share Edu Dir position.
            ELCA MIF Loan $743,904 @ 5.25%
            June 26 Pastor Kip Groettum & Laurel Stoen marry here.
            Lori Weis leads office staff.
            Karel Titus is administrative financial staff.
            Oct 3 special meeting: 107 yes and 115 no – votes not to buy Ella Reiter house

2005 – Remove Samuelson house at 209 Second AVE SW - doubling west parking lot
            Youth mission trip to Appalachia Kentucky

2006 – Feb 4 new contemporary Sat worship service begins.
            Complete West parking lot: cement driveways, curb + gutter, west sidewalk, bituminous topping, striping for 52 parking spaces $43,120.32. 
             Rock wall erected north side west parking lot by volunteers.

 Youth attend San Antonio ELCA National Youth Gathering.

Lydia Grant is Financial Secretary.
Church Income is $399,523.58 – highest in our 110 years.

2007 - April 14 auction $4,204.30 for: parking lot $500, building addition $1000,  Baja adult/family mission trip $2000 and benevolence $710.

             Complete Landscape planting on north side rock wall - given by Ron Flemke family.

Youth July mission trip Blackfeet Reservation, MT

New internet based education curriculum, “Akaloo” (means to follow Jesus) begins in September for children through adults.

            Oct 14 – sixth annual “Bless the Animals” worship

2008 – Kim Fall is Financial Secretary.

            April 5 auction raises $10,000+ for building materials.

             51 people will build 4 homes in Baja, Mexico in October 11-18

            March 29 – Fifteenth annual Grief and Growth seminar

            14th year holding Healing Services in April + October (on communion Sunday)

             6th year holding Vocational Blessing services in May + November (communion Sunday)

             New picture directory of members celebrates 110 years.
2009 – Saint Olaf College Art Professor Emeritis Mac Gimse – “7 Last Words in Sculpture” during Lent and Easter Sunday – hands on sculpture expresses Jesus Words from the Cross

            Kim Fall is new Financial Administrator. Karel Titus her FA work in August.

            Heather Baker is new Financial Secretary.

            Children’s Choir began in Sept – Heather Dale director, Diane Webb accompaniest

            Praise Team led 2nd Sunday of month worship. They began 8th year in Sept.

            National ELCA theme – God’s Work, Our Hands (on sanctuary banner)

            New Worship Projector purchased - Sharp XG-C435X-L     $2,311

         New Orleans National Youth Gathering – 30 youth, 8 adults,  July 20-29

         36,000 each did 1 day of service to New Orleans community – NYG will return to NO in 2012

         Interfaith Hospitality Network – at PI UMC  – 2nd year, 43 volunteers –  house homeless 4 weeks

2010 "God's Work, Our Hands" is our mission and work each day as we tell our faith story in word and deed.

• 15 youth and 4 adults spent a week serving others in Chicago.
•  We have 54 trained volunteers who help with the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
•  18 children were baptized.
•  20 3rd graders received Bibles and were taught how to use them.
• 25  5th graders participated in first communion instruction.
•  26  10th graders affirmed their baptisms in the rite of confirmation.
•  Our community was flooded Sept 23-24, 2010.  Our church helped house victims, and our church members spent countless hours using their hands to do God's work to help those affected by the flood water.
•  15 new families joined our church.
•  We invited community members, via the Pine Island Sharing Shelves to join us for Wednesday night meals during the summer.

2011 - We are claimed by Jesus

• We had 28 baptisms
•  15 new families joined
• 33  3rd graders were given Bibles and instructions in how to use them
• 43   9th and 10th graders completed their confirmation work and affirmed their baptisms
• 55 members and friends brought their talents to Baja, Mexico, where they built 5 homes and helped in many other ways to improve the lives of residents of Vincente Guerrero.
• The Pine Island community continued to recover from the Sept 2010 flood.
• Joe Jackson replaced Terry Biberdorf as Bell Choir Director.

• We had 28 baptisms
•  15 new families joined
• 33  3rd graders were given Bibles and instructions in how to use them
• 43   9th and 10th graders completed their confirmation work and affirmed their baptisms
• 55 members and friends brought their talents to Baja, Mexico, where they built 5 homes and helped in many other ways to improve the lives of residents of Vincente Guerrero.
• The Pine Island community continued to recover from the Sept 2010 flood.
• Joe Jackson replaced Terry Biberdorf as Bell Choir Director.