Rooted in faith since 1854 — discover the story of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
From a small German-speaking congregation of 22 souls to one of the most vibrant Lutheran churches in the Carlisle area — this is our story.
St. Paul’s roots are in the German community and German language. It began in 1854 as a “break off” of First Evangelical Lutheran Church so that they might continue to worship and study in German (First had changed its primary language to English). The first building was not at our current location but at South Bedford and East Pomfret Streets. St. Paul was located there until 1895 — and during that time was served by 16 different pastors!
On Easter Sunday of 1896 there were only 22 people in worship. The leadership knew that something different needed to happen. After a time of discernment and prayer, the congregation called seminary student Harry Stock as their pastor. He accepted only if the following changes would be made:
Those changes were made and the congregation began to see significant growth. A “chapel” and Sunday School building was constructed — an Akron style unit with a gathering area and small classrooms. This building is still part of our structure today, located where the current library, hallway, and choir room are found.
It soon became apparent that the new building was not large enough. In 1904, the congregation purchased the property at the corner of West and Louther Streets and began building a new house of worship. That structure — the beautiful stone building you see today — was completed in 1907, including all furnishings and the new pipe organ.
In 1943, the old Gobin Armory (built in 1881) was purchased by the church for use as a fellowship hall in 1946. When Pastor Stock retired in 1946 after serving his entire ministry at St. Paul, the fellowship hall was dedicated in his honour and named Stock Hall.
From the mid 1940s to the mid 1960s, the congregation continued to grow. St. Paul became known for its large and active Sunday School program, its youth programs, and a strong music ministry. By the mid 1960s, St. Paul was one of the largest congregations in the Carlisle area.
The final expansion to our facilities came in 1970 with the addition of the Educational Unit — now home to the church office, lead pastor’s office, nursery, Sunday school rooms, and the New Parlor. This two-storey structure was dedicated to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Elmer Truchses.
The 1980s and 1990s were a time of steady ministry. St. Paul became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1988. The congregation was faithfully served by Pastor Ruff, who served as lead pastor for 25 years, alongside a variety of gifted Associate Pastors.
In 2004, the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary with special services and the return of several previous pastors as guest preachers — a joyful milestone honouring 150 years of God’s faithfulness to this congregation.
From 2005 to 2012, Pastor Tim Sadler served as lead pastor. Under his leadership, the congregation began to focus on growing its outreach and social ministry — something that remains a critical part of St. Paul’s ministry today. Pastor Rob Moore then served as lead pastor from 2014 to 2018, bringing a new and renewed level of excitement to the ministry.
Rev. Moore left in October 2018 and the congregation quickly gained Rev. Titus Clarke, who was called as lead pastor on August 25, 2019 after serving as Interim for 9 months. St. Paul has had a wonderful past as God has blessed us with the gifts we have needed to do God’s ministry in this place. Now we look to what God is doing today at St. Paul.