St. Paul's Lutheran Church
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  • Home
  • Kids Corner
  • News and Calendar
  • Worship Assistants
  • History
  • Education
  • Contact

History

The History of St. Paul's Lutheran Church

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St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church has served the community of Warren, Illinois and southern Wisconsin for the past 116 years.The first congregation began in 1858, when a Lutheran Pastor met with a group of German immigrants to form a church. Plans for building a church soon led to construction, and by June 1858 the corner stone was laid.  Pastors from Northern Illinois Synod, plus many other guests, were present for the celebration of this special event.
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In 1860, M.M. Yeakle persuaded his fellow Lutherans to continue building the stone church.  Unfortunately, by the fall of 1862, the funds ran out and they were forced to abandon the project.  It was vacant until 1879 when H.V. Brown acquired the building by the purchase of the tax deed, and used it as a tobacco storehouse.

In 1900 a few Lutheran families, with the help of some Warren business men, raised the necessary money to restore the old stone church on the west end of town.  The builders and families worked non-stop to complete the church, so the Lutheran congregation was officially organized in the summer of 1900 by Pastor J. Dachsteiner.  On October 21, 1900 , the newly repaired and decorated church was dedicated.  Services were held in German and English with about 250-300 people attending the afternoon services.

Two years later, a combined parsonage and school was built and dedicated.  The following year a new bell belfry, and organ were dedicated.  Finally the German Lutherans were able to realize their dreams of having a place to worship.
In January, 1966, the congregation approved the construction of the Parish Education Unit.  The new building was to be 36' X 83', attached by a narthex and added to the south side of the church building.  Dedication of the completed building was held on April 2, 1967.

More than 116 years have passed since the dedication of St. Paul's and today as we reflect upon the past, our roots, and our heritage, we are thankful for the great sacrifices and contributions made by the founders and their pastors.  We are also thankful for the generations of leadership and endeavors that helped build the congregation we enjoy today.  We must accept the challenges of an ever changing world, continue the mission of our church and build an even stronger congregation for the 21st century and beyond!

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Clergy - The Past to the Present

Pastor John H. Schlichting (Founder)
Pastor A. J. Klindworth
Pastor J. Dachsteiner
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Pastor Richard A. Salzwedel
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Pastor David Zeilsdorf
Pastor J. Wendel
Pastor O. Kubitz - Interim
Pastor J. Buth
Pastor August Kohlhoff
​Pastor Emil O. Schultz
​Pastor Otto Moke
​Pastor Eugene Ahl
​Pastor Otto H. Kreiter
​Pastor Karl F. Trost
​Pastor Oswald G. Mall
​Pastor Jerome S. Peterson
Pastor Jack F. Maxim
​Pastor Orville C. Mitchell
Pastor James Schwartz - Interim
Pastor Craig A. Wagner​
1896-1898
​1898-1899
​1899-1902
​1902-1906
​1906-1911
​1910-1911
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1911
1911-1915
1915-1923
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1923-1924
​1924-1928
​1929-1934
​1934-1942
​1943-1948
​1948-1960
​1961-1965
​1965-1969
​1969-1972
1972
​1972-1976

​Pastor Kenneth A. Halstead
Pastor Peter Kjeseth 
Interim​
​Pastor Steven D. Berke
​Pastor Wlliam Wiederanders
​Pastor Bryan Robertson
Pastor George Nelson - 
Interim​
Pastor Tina S. Koenig
Pastor Arthur Stees - 
Interim
Pastor Carole Andres
Intern Laura Koppenhoefer
Intern Pat Esker
Pastor Margo Peterson
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Vicar Erik Rundquist
Pastor Kenneth A. Halstead - Interim
Intern Pastor Barb Otten
Pastor Arthur Stees - Interim
Intern Megan Preston
Intern Bryan Odeen
Vicar Michelle Knight
Interim Pastor Dayna Weltzin
​Pastor Janice Diefenthaler - Interim
​1976-1979
​1979
​1979-1984
​1984-1987
​1988-1993
​1993

1993-1996
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1996-1997
​1997-2000
​2001-2002
​2002-2003
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2003-2012
​2012-2013
​2013
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2014
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2015
​2015-2016
​2016-2018
​2018-2021
​2021-2022
​2022-Present

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Services

Sundays at 10 AM

Telephone

815-745-3444