In 1967 Clintonville already had a lot of churches, so why was another founded? Why did the founders put their homes at risk on the mortgage to build the church building? The answer is boldly stated in congregation’s first worship folder.
St. Paul is the name of our congregation chosen by our voting members. The symbol of St. Paul (Spiritus Gladius), the Sword of the Lord, will no doubt often be used by us in the future. How significant for our day when the Verbal Inspiration of the Bible is under attack from within the Church! Our membership holds with Scripture that the Inerrancy of Scripture applies not only to its truths but also to its text. “We speak… words… which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” - 1 Cor. 2,13. “Spiritus Gladius” The Sword of the Spirit. May it ever be our chief aim to lift high the chief Christ and Him Crucified! So help us, our blessed Lord and Savior!
St. Paul Lutheran was originally affiliated with the ELS (Evangelical Lutheran Synod) and had its beginnings in 1967 when 19 people met in a private home to share their concerns about trends within the Lutheran church. This group approached Pastor W. Werling and St. Martin congregation, Shawano County, Belle Plaine for counsel and help. Their first worship service was held at the Veterans Memorial building in Clintonville on June 18, 1967. On July 7, 1967, a certificate of incorporation for St. Paul Lutheran congregation was signed by charter members: Eugene Dexter, Elmer List, Armin Dieck, Lee Laude, Donald Sawall, Walter Essmann and A.F. Yankee. In October of that year, Werling was installed as pastor.
Ground was broken for its church building at the corner of North Park and Anne streets on August 10, 1969; the church was dedicated in June of 1970.
A strong congregation of believers kept the congregation going in good times and when challenges came its way. In May of 1985 the church was struck by lightning which caused $10,000 worth of damage. But, just a year later on April 27, 1986 a mortgage burning service was held completing one chapter of the churches history.
In 1999 the congregation was strong enough to support its own pastor and called Pastor Holtz. Up until that point the congregation had shared pastoral service with St. Martin, Belle Plaine.
In 2006, the congregation in collaboration with the Clintonville High School Construction 3 class led by Mike Wespetal and in cooperation with local contractors built a parsonage. It was a wonderful opportunity for the congregation to obtain the parsonage they wanted and the high school students to learn valuable building trade skills.
The congregation chose to affiliate with WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) in 2007. Many members who had joined the congregation had come from WELS churches. There is also a strong group of WELS congregations in this area to offer support. The WELS has almost 1,300 congregations and around 400,000 members throughout the United States and Canada united by a common Christian faith in Christ’s saving love.
In 2018 the church family was able to expand the building to be more accessible and welcoming to visitors and members alike. The expansion gave us a larger worship space with a better cleaner altar area, more gathering space in the narthex, and classroom space in the basement for Sunday School. The expanded building also brings in more natural light into the building.
Our church family is still very active, meeting beyond Sunday worship. In the past few years we have worked to strengthen the worship experience, improve our online presence including livestreaming, and by continually going back and growing in the Word. Come visit us, we would love to meet you! Stop by Sundays at 9am.
Congregation History Highlights
May 24, 1967 -- 19 persons met to discuss forming a new congregation
June, 1967 -- the name St. Paul was chosen
June 18, 1967 -- the first worship service was held at the local Veteran's Memorial Building
June 21, 1967 -- the congregation became affiliated with the ELS (Evangelical Lutheran Synod) at the synod's 50th Convention
June 28, 1967 -- the church constitution was signed
July 15, 1967 -- the first service with the Lord's Supper was held
October 29, 1967 -- Pastor Wilbert Werling is installed as the first Pastor
July 7, 1968 -- the property on N. Park Street was purchased
August 25, 1968 -- the first baptism
October 23, 1968 -- the first marriage
August 10, 1969 -- ground was broken for the church building
December 7, 1969 -- the cornerstone of the church building was laid
February, 1970 -- the congregation reaches 95 souls
March 22, 1970 -- services began at the new church building
June 14, 1970 -- the church was dedicated to the service of the Lord in a service led by the President of the ELS (Rev. Luther Vangen).
April 18, 1971 -- the organ was donated by an anonymous donor
June 10, 1973 -- Paul Schneider was ordained and installed as pastor of both St. Paul and St. Martin
March 9, 1980 Pastor Michael Krentz was installed as pastor for St. Paul and St. Martin
May 23, 1983 -- a stained glass window fund was started
May 1, 1983 -- Pastor John Smith installed as pastor of St. Paul and St. Martin
April 18, 1985 -- 2 full panels of stained glass windows are installed
May 31, 1985 -- the church building was struck by lightning, causing damage to the building
October 15, 1989 -- the stained glass windows are dedicated to the service of the Lord
December 15, 1990 -- Tiny Treasures Preschool opened
August 16, 1992 -- the parking lot is finished
September 20, 1992 -- a special 25th anniversary service is held, ELS President George Orvick was the guest preacher
July 20, 2014 -- Titus Buelow is ordained and installed as Pastor of St. Paul
June 18, 2017 -- the church family celebrates this congregation’s 50th anniversary, Pastor Sawall preached
May 6, 2018 -- ground was broken on the expansion project
September 16, 2018 -- the expanded facilities are dedicated to the service of the Lord
Our Pastors
With hearts full, thank you to those the Lord has sent us to proclaim His eternal Word. Your service to the Lord has been a blessing to us and to our community. Thanks be to God for sending us faithful servants! Praise be His name for blessing their work among us!
Rev. Wilbert Werling 1967-73
Rev. Paul Schneider 1973-79
Rev. Michael Krentz 1980-82
Rev. John Smith 1983-93
Rev. Robert Sawall 1994-09
Rev. Erik Gernander 1996-99
Rev. Roger Holtz 1999-03
Rev. Larry Cross 2009-12
Rev. Ryan Schlicht 2012-2014
Rev. Titus Buelow 2014-2021
Rev. Caleb Rothfuss 2021-
