History of St. Paul's
In the early 1900s five families—the Millers, Dittmars, Ritzes, Dorriers, and Hoffmans—started St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In the first decade the congregation purchased the lot where the church currently sits. Part of the land must have been a burial ground since a tombstone in the cemetery bears the date 1888. Construction for the church building started in the spring of 1909 and was completed by 1910, when the first Baptism and confirmation of nine confirmands took place.
St. Paul's was without a resident pastor until 1912. Pastors were known to commute by rail, and later, by automobile from as far as Washington, DC. Throughout its history, St. Paul’s has relied on and shared pastors with other LCMS churches in Cumberland and Gettysburg as well as chaplains from the Maryland Correction Institution, Hagerstown. A Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastor was first called in 1932 and in 1976 St. Paul’s was able to call its first full-time pastor.
Rev. William Rogers
Church founded by five families; original lot purchased.
Vacant
Church building constructed.
Rev. F. Wenchell – Zion and St. Paul’s
Rev. F. J. Havecker - Zion and St. Paul’s
Rev. Von Spreckelsen - Trinity and St. Paul’s
Rev. E. H. Golterman
Land east of the cemetery donated by Fred and Helen Hinckle.
Rev. K. E. Ernstmeyer
Rev. P. Priester - Trinity and St. Paul’s
Chaplain Stock, Washington, D.C.
Rev. G. A. Wagner - Trinity and St. Paul’s
Chaplain Kohler - Maryland Correctional Institute (MCI)
Chaplain August Stenzel - MCI
Basement excavated to include fellowship hall and Sunday School room.
Chaplain August Stenzel Concordia mission started
Rev. Edwin Thress - MCI, Concordia, and St. Paul’s
Rev. Norman Nissen - MCI, Concordia, and St. Paul’s
Rev. John Fuchs - Concordia and St Paul’s
Cemetery land donated by Fairview Orchard Company.
Chaplain William Reiss, Washington D.C.
Chaplain William Marwede - Concordia and St. Paul’s
Chaplain Earl Kettler - Concordia and St. Paul’s
Memorial garden cross and trees dedicated: visible from I-68.
Vicar Edward Owens - Concordia and St. Paul’s
Balcony, kitchen, and pastor’s study added.
Rev. Philip. McLain – full time at St. Paul’s
Pavilion, playground, and large stained-glass window completed.
Rev. J. Thomas Foelber
Rev. Lee Sodowsky
Rev. Ray Rogers
Rev. Timothy Davis
Parsonage land purchased and home completed.
Rev. William K. Stottlemyer
Parsonage addition completed.
St. Paul’s Today.
St. Paul’s currently serves families and individuals from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia.