St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Norwalk began after a survey by Rev. A.G. Webbeking and Rev. H. W. Schmitt. On October 16, 1949, our church conducted it's first service in th Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on South Pioneer, with 18 attendees.  Rev. H.W. Schmitt served as the first pastor.  The church's first Christmas program was conducted at the Norwalk Mortuary Chapel, with 76 attendees and that same year, the church's present property at Rosecrans and Clarkdale was purchased for $12,000.

On January 22, 1950, with the election of officers and adoption of constitutional articles, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Norwalk officially began.  Under Pastor Schmitt's able leadership, attendance increased steadily.  The church needed larger quarters and began meeting in the Norwalk Woman's Club facility.

A small house located on the church's Rosecrans property was converted into a study, church office and meeting place for board and voter's meetings, Sunday School teacher's meetings and catechetical classes.  By April 1951, the church had 210 souls and 110 communicants with an average Sunday attendance of 100.  The Women's Missionary Society was organized in 1950; the Junior Walther Leaque and Men's Club were organized the next year.

On February 24, 1952 the church broke ground for the new 6,440 square foot church building.  On Christmas Eve of that year, the chapel was occupied for the first time.  On March 22,1953, St. Paul's dedicated its chapel.  The chapel nave mesured 59'x32' and seated 260.  It's woodwork was done in walnut finish.  In the fall of 1953 the church acquired a lot north of the church property for future expansion. 

The Education Building was dedicated to the Glory of God on May 17, 1959.

On July 1, 1955 the congregation became self-supporting.

March 1959 Pastor Luther Stiener served as assistant to Pastor Gunther until August 9, 1959.

Pastor Maleske served as interim pastor from July 3, 1960 to August 14 1960.

Pastor Theo. Gahlke served as assistant to Pasor Gunther from Oct 1, 1960 to November 11 1962.

In July 1962 Rev. Elmer Gunther retires due to illness and died  Novemebr 1962.

Rev. John Schmacher began functioning as vcanancy pasotr, starting July 151962, until November 11, 1962, when Rev. Armand E Muller was installed.  In March, 1968, Pastor Schumacher again served as interim pastor, due to Pastor Mueller's illess until September 26, 1968, when Rev. Lambert E. Loock was installed.

Sancturary improvments (carpeting, pews, and air condirioners) were dedicated on June 2, 1974.

Pastor Erich V. Oelshlaeger began serving as interim pastor on November 3, 1974, until April 20, 1975, when Rev. Paul N. Guebert was installed.

Our stained glass windows were installed over a three-year period, from 1977 to July 1980.

Note: This is still a work in progess, we will update and put the interim pastors following Pastor Guebert and yes, we will include Pastor's Nelson, and Hernandez

The first Hispanic ministry at St. Paul's was begun in 2001 by Vicar Abel Neyra and in June 2005 Rev. Antonio Lopez came to St. Paul's to  continue to lead the congregation in both English and Spanish.

Please click to our photo album "Our Beginnings" to view photos of St. Paul's from 1949-1959