One Community, Two Denominations, all Jesus!
St. Paul Evangelical has ties to both the United Church of Christ
and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
How'd we come under one roof? Read below!
and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
How'd we come under one roof? Read below!
History of St Paul's Church
In 1885 a group of German immigrants to Lewiston found they could not worship at the town church because they also belonged to a social lodge for insurance purposes. They chose the Evangelical Church because it was linked with the state church of Germany. Gradually by 1916 English was the only language for services
The Evangelical church had roots in Lutheran traditions in Germany. In 1934 it joined with the Reformed Church to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Then in 1958 they joined with the Congregational Church (with English puritan roots) to become the United Church of Christ.
In 1980 a group of Lutheran families (American Lutheran Church [ALC]) wanted to start a new congregation in Lewiston. They previously had been driving to other communities for worship and education.
St Paul’s reached out to them to explore the option of ministry together. Since the Evangelical and Reformed background of St. Paul’s is based on Lutheran teachings and principles, it seemed a natural fit!
On September 13, 1981 a historic yoking of the churches was realized. A combined church, with one service, raises eyebrows in both Lutheran and UCC circles as we come to realize differences are few.
In 1988 the American Lutheran Church (ALC) merged with the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America to form our current denominational form, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The Evangelical church had roots in Lutheran traditions in Germany. In 1934 it joined with the Reformed Church to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Then in 1958 they joined with the Congregational Church (with English puritan roots) to become the United Church of Christ.
In 1980 a group of Lutheran families (American Lutheran Church [ALC]) wanted to start a new congregation in Lewiston. They previously had been driving to other communities for worship and education.
St Paul’s reached out to them to explore the option of ministry together. Since the Evangelical and Reformed background of St. Paul’s is based on Lutheran teachings and principles, it seemed a natural fit!
On September 13, 1981 a historic yoking of the churches was realized. A combined church, with one service, raises eyebrows in both Lutheran and UCC circles as we come to realize differences are few.
In 1988 the American Lutheran Church (ALC) merged with the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America to form our current denominational form, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).