A brief history of St. Paul's
(adapted from St. Paul's Centennial book)
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has been a part of the Crookston community since 1896. Our story began shortly before that year, when Rev. H. Schlisser traveled from Fargo to provide mission work in and around the Crookston area, helping lay the foundation for a new Lutheran congregation.
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On August 15, 1896, Rev. Herman Drews of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and Other States formally organized the congregation, then known as Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Paulus Gemeinde (St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rev. Drews became the church’s first resident pastor. In the early years, worship services were held in members’ homes and later in locations such as the Public Reading Room, the former United Lutheran Church, and Washington School.
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In 1899, during a meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Heldstab Sr., the congregation voted to build its first church at 512 North Broadway. The building was dedicated later that year and served as St. Paul’s home for more than 60 years.
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As Lutheran church bodies merged over time, St. Paul’s became part of the American Lutheran Church in 1930. Continued growth led to the construction of a new church building at 1214 University Avenue. The current church was dedicated on August 9, 1961. A sealed copper box containing a catechism, hymnal, Bible, and church documents in both German and English was placed in the cornerstone as a lasting symbol of faith and heritage.
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In 1988, the American Lutheran Church joined with other Lutheran denominations to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Today, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a member of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA, continuing its mission of worship, service, and community connection.
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Charter Members
The charter members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church were: William Heidrich, William F. Joenneke, John Heldstab Sr., Henry Jurk, Julius Aultmann, John Waterstrat, Charley Baumgarten, John Helm, Ferdinand Schmunk, Peter Heydt, Ernest Mueller, John Huelst, Otto Huelst, Fred Schmidt, William Laabs, August Kilman, Herman Schmunk, Michael Falewske, and Henry Panzer.
