History

About St. Paul Lutheran History

Our Beginning 1855 – Our first building was made in 1858 – 1890, then another one made in 1890 – 1915

Our Mission Pastors – These men planted the seeds of what was to become our congregation.

  • Reverend F. Steinbach 1855-1857
    • Several vacancy pastors (F. Lochner of Milwaukee and M. Guenther of Grafton) served Trinity Congregation until early in 1855 when the Rev. F. Steinbach was installed. Rev. Steinbach began traveling to serve the Lutherans scattered in and around our small community with weekly visits. Services were held each Sunday afternoon at various homes in the village.
  • Reverend Daniel Stecher 1858
    • Rev. Stecher replaced Rev. Steinbach in 1858. Various histories have given credit to Rev. Steinbach for starting our congregation while others have named Rev. Stecher, the man who replaced him at Trinity. Rev. Stecher served our people for a very short time in Sheboygan Falls since they were able to call their first resident pastor, Rev. Ernest Rolf 1858-1860

Early Childhood Center History:  St. Paul started a 3 and 4-year-old Preschool in 1986 which was housed in the Education Center.  In October 1997, it was moved to its present location in the 200 wing of the new facility.  Over the years, the program has expanded to serve families by offering 2 sessions of 3-year-old Preschool, 2 sessions of 4K and Child Care was added September 1, 2009.

The Gathering Place History:  St. Paul started The Gathering Place in April 2008, caring for persons with memory loss one day a week in the 100 wing of the church.  In April 2009, we opened a second day each week. In December 2011, the third day opened. A fourth day was added at a satellite location, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in June 2017.

The 1900s – St. Paul Lutheran had two buildings made in 1915-1994, 621 Broadway in downtown Sheboygan Falls, then to our current 1995 building located at 730 County Road PPP. 

2000 to Current – September 30, 2004, the 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee met for the first time. January 16, 2005, was chosen for the kickoff weekend. “St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 150 Years of Blessings, Where Everybody is Somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord.”

  • Reverend Thomas W. Vanderbilt 2001-2004 Associate Pastor
  • Reverend Mark Janzen 2005-2018
  • Reverend Rob Schrader 2021-2024
  • Reverend Kyle Backhaus 2018-Current Senior Pastor
  • Emeritus Pastor Donald Hasse 2004
  • Emeritus Pastor Tom Gudmundson 2021