History

In 1975 St. Paul’s became 50 years old. A 50th Anniversary booklet was created. Included in this booklet was a short history of the first 50 years, shown below.

The need for the Church – for the worship of God and the lessons for His Holy Word – knows no limits of population or geography. Many millions or half a hundred, mid-west or far-west – where folks are spiritually hungry and willing to work together, God opens doors to inspiration and a larger fellowship.

So it was in l904 when a group of folks in the Ballard Community who were drawn together because of their common background of German tradition, appealed to the Mission Board of the Evangelical Synod of North America for assistance in establishing a congregation. The board found a real challenge in this new work on the west coast and granted aid.

The first home of the congregation was in the building which still stands at 1763 [Northwest] West 62d Street. On February 21,1904, a group of 16 charter members listed elsewhere in the bulletin) organized the congregation under the leadership of Rev. E. Leutwein its first pastor.

Through years of struggle, this little congregation grew. Gradually the use of the German language in services was replaced by the use of English as folks from many traditions found their place in the fellowship.

In l905, the little church building was re- modeled and enlarged with financial help from the denomination and large amounts of volunteer labor. Again in l9l4, a building enlargement program was undertaken as the Sunday School work and social activities of the Church program expanded.

After almost thirteen years of ministry in Ballard, Rev. E. Leutwein accepted the call of the church in Woodland, California.

Pastors who succeeded him at St. Paul’s were: Rev. E. Baltzer, Rev. Theo. Hauck, Rev. John Hille and Rev. Goorge L. Zocher.

There were good days and difficult ones. By 1927 it was realized that a change of location would be advisable. Under the leadership of Rev. August Binder, who accepted the call to this pastorate in l927, the congregation with the aid of a loan from the denomination, purchased its present church site, 12th N.W. and West 65th. Soon afterward the parsonage was built. In 1929, the congregation was encouraged by denominational leaders to purchase the property adjoining the new church site (then used by the Lebanon Home). Debt on this building, remodeled to serve as our Parish House, was later cancelled by the Church Extension Fund Board as the denomination continued to prove its vital interest in St. Paul’s Church.

Through the years, the fellowship grew and consistently expressed its concern to be a vital Christian force in the larger community by joining hands with other churches in the work of the Seattle Council of Churches, and by meeting its apportionment for the missionary program of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

In 1940, the new church building, hopefully planned through the depression years of the 30’s, was erected. Again a loan from the denomination and large amounts of volunteer labor made possible a great step forward. “paid for in ’44” became the slogan of a successful campaign to wipe out the debt on the new building in the congregation’s 4Oth Anniversary Year.

In 1944, Rev. A.E. Binder resigned to accept a call from Trinity Church, Mount Vernon, Indiana, and Rev. T.H. Van Dyck became the pastor of St. Paul’s Church.

Many events of the last ten years linger in the memory of the faithful folk of St. Paul’s. A few mile-stones that might be mentioned are:

The decision on October 21, 1945, to make St. Paul’s a self-sustaining congregation and to ask no more missionary aid from the denomination.

Various improvements and remodeling projects which gave us the new kitchen roof, heating system, and redecoration in the Parish House and Chapel.

The installation of a new pipe organ and new chancel furniture.

Introduction of new Church School Curriculum.

The entertaining of Synodial and Regional conferences.

The launching of a new building venture in 1952 with the first offering for our New Parish House and Education Building Fund.

Most inspiring in the last year has been a record of increased church attendance and community interest in which we find good ground for hope and high expectation of a bright future for St. Paul’s Church.