HISTORY

New Paragraph

Our church accepts and embraces diversity in our members and guests. This very principle was established in 1886.
St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was the first English speaking church in a region of German/Norwegian/Swedish Lutheran Churches. The doors were open to all who came to worship. The church’s welcoming position attracted membership growth.

The past 127 years have been challenged with economic uncertainty and cultural changes. Yet, the church has steadfastly
kept its focus on outreach, ministry, and service. In 2000, St. Paul’s became a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) church. We look forward
to many more years of welcome and service ministry in our community.

1886 Articles of Incorporation were filed at the Courthouse on December 4, 1886. St. Paul’s became the first English-speaking congregation in Red Wing — thereby passing on the faith to the next generation in the native tongue of their new country.

St. Paul’s has grown from a founding congregation of 25. The financial report after the first year listed receipts of $86.76
and expenses of $86.33, leaving a balance of $ .43. It has grown from an infant congregation without a home to the owners
of a complete 1/2 block of property and the beautiful structure where we meet today — a remarkable story of faith and vision.
Nine pastors have come out of the membership of St. Paul’s.

1891 Purchased and moved a small wooden chapel from West Red Wing to the site.

1927 Dedicated the main building constructed at a cost of $75,000, less furnishings. At the time, the congregation had a total membership of 500, yet they built for 1,500. Original windows were of opaque glass. Altar stained glass window was partly paid for by Sunday School children. Built in Munich, Germany, it was originally constructed there, then taken apart, shipped to Red Wing,
and reassembled here.

1931 At the annual meeting, the women were given the right to vote.

1953 Purchased the Boy Scout Pharm, 111 acres south of Red Wing and just north of the Minnesota Memorial Hardwood State Forest, for a total of $485.00.

1997 Removed the houses and constructed a new education/office addition.

2000 St. Paul’s became one of a few congregations in the SE Minnesota Synod to adopt the Reconciling in Christ
(now ReconcilingWorks) commitment to welcome the full of participation of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer.

St. Paul's Lutheran Pastors:

1886-1889 Pastor G.H. Trabert, D.D.

1889-1892 Pastor C.B. Lindtwed

1893-1895 Pastor A. Steimle, D.D.

1896-1901 Pastor J.A. Leas, D.D.

1901-1911 Pastor A.J. Reichert

1912-1913 Pastor I. Whitman

1913-1922 Pastor C.C. Roth

1923-1927 Pastor E.J. Wackernagel

1928-1942 Pastor E.F. Marker

1942-1949 Pastor R.B. Reed

1949-1953 Pastor Robert P. Roth

1953-1966 Pastor R.V. Hansen

1966-1969 Pastor James A. Nelson

1970-1986 Pastor Eugene Hasselquist

1972-1982 Pastor Richard Hane

1982-1983 Pastor Dennis Peterson

1984-1985 Pastor Kenneth E. Meehan

1985-1986 Pastor Richard Lund

1987-1992 Pastor Gary Cumings

1992-2000 Pastor William Eisenmann

1993-2000 Pastor Marian Eisenmann

2001-2004 Pastor Steve Berkeland

2002-2005 Pastor Jon Becker

2005-2018 Pastor Kristen Schlauderaff

2017 – 2022 Pastor Dana Jackson                         

2022-2024 Interim Pastor William Klavetter               

2024 – present Pastor Amy Larson