Our Story

 Officially, the church we know and love as St. Paul Lutheran Church was organized in March of 1916 and was called St. Paul German Lutheran Church. The Rev. O. C. Wolff had been serving St. John's of Sparta since 1898 and was given permission to serve St. Paul's also. Prior to this time Rev. Henry Vetter served the mission field covering the area of Montevideo.
     After holding services in a rental location at 210 South Fifth Street in 1919, a church was purchased from Our Savior's Lutheran Church for $3,000. This church is now located in Pioneer Village. The purchased church was used until construction began in 1951 on the Kasota stone building that is still serving our congregation today.
     Below are some of the dates of interest about our church:

  • 1875 - Rev. Vetter served ten families near Montevideo
  • 1922 - St. Paul Lutheran Church joined the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
  • 1923 - Resolved to have some services in English
  • 1933 - St. Paul's numbered 160 communicant members at the end of the year
  • 1947 - A revised constitution was adopted to appoint a committee "to secure new members"
  • 1954 - Congregation now had 338 communicant members, 580 baptized members
  • 1962 - St. Paul's numbered 445 communicant members at the end of the year
  • 1966 - Celebrated 50th Anniversary, 485 communicant members, 701 baptized members
  • 1972 - Approved to erect the Christian Growth addition to the church
  • 1991 - Celebrated 75th Anniversary with 590 baptized and 480 communicants
  • 2001 - Dedicated Rodgers 807 "Trillium" Organ
  • 2005 - A lift was dedicated to provide access to all three levels
  • 2005 - We give thanks for our 545 baptized and 439 communicant members
  • 2016 - Celebrated 100th Anniversary

As we look back in thanks to God for the blessings of the past, we eagerly look forward to the blessings and the mission God has waiting for our congregation to proclaim the love of Christ.

The flock always needs a Shepherd and we have been blessed with the following pastors:

1873-1916  Rev. Henry Vetter

1916-1920  Rev. O.C. Wolff

1920-1934  Rev. Herman W. Moehring

1934-1943  Rev. Erwin E. Schroeder

1942-1948  Rev. John Zimmerman

1948-1954  Rev. Clarence D. Uetzmann

1954-1963  Rev. Oliver M. Schultz

1964-1982  Rev. Dale G. Young

1982-1984  Rev. Rudolph A. Haak, Interim

1984-1995  Rev. Roger A. Rekstad

1995  Rev. Loren D. Kruse, Interim

1995-2003  Rev. Leo R. Deitemeyer

2003-2004  Rev. Ronald Hobbie, Interim; Rev. Dennis Schultz, Interim

2004-2008  Rev. D. H. Baumgarn

2008  Rev. Robert Friedrich, Interim

2008-2016  Rev. Christopher Lieske

2016-2017  Rev. Jack Baumgarn, Interim

2017 - Present  Rev. Keith Brustuen

 

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