German Lutheran Church

St. Paul's Lutheran, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A.
 

The first German-speaking Lutheran church services were held in Lawrence and Eudora in 1866. In 1867 the two congregations shared a pastor, but neither group continued past 1869.

The second attempt to found a church, in the 1870s, was more successful. Until the group built this church on Illinois Street in the 1890s, they met in Turner Hall at 9th and Rhode Island. That building still stands.

  
  In 1889 under the leadership of Pastor Rehn, the German Lutheran church solicited funds from the Turnverein and townspeople.They were able to complete this structure at 835 Illinois (west side of the street, facing east) in June of that year.
 
 
It was a one room wooden building without a basement. The original double entrance door leading into the main room has been replaced.  
 

Eight stained windows on the north and south lit the interior.Only three of these windows remain on the north side. The stained glass has been replaced.

In 1907 the congregation built a parsonage next door at 831 Illinois Street.

 
 

From 1879 until 1920, the services were conducted in German. English was first introduced in 1913 and became increasingly important. By 1942 German and English alternated very other Sunday. For the remaining six years of the church's existance, services were conducted exclusively in English.

In 1925, the name was changed to St. Paul's Evangelical Church. On August 21, 1949, the church closed its doors due to small membership. The property was sold to the Omestead brothers, who sold it to Dr. Gorton and his wife one year later in 1950. It was remodeled and used as a private home.

  
       
 

Photos © Phyllis Farrar 2002 / Germans in Lawrence / Community Connections / Home / West Junior High / USD 497