Deutsche Evangelical Lutheran St. Paulus Church at SE 13th and Clinton
Card showing St. Paul Church in Sellwood courtesy of Connie Meyer (see her note below)
I have a small printed card which contains a photo of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Kirche. The wooden rectangular building was located at the corner of 13th and Clinton Streets in Portland. One entered the church by climbing steps at the front center; there was a basement. As far as I know, the building still stands, but has passed on to another religious body.
My parents were married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on April 3, 1921 by The Rev. E. Krause, who served that German congregation for several years. My mother told me that The Rev. Krause was a distant cousin.
This is sent for your information--now we both know that apparently there were two Lutheran churches by the same name in Portland.
Connie Meyer - Greater Seattle Chapter, AHSGR
Photographs from St. Pauls church courtesy of Connie Meyer (see description below)
Above are color copies of the old photographs I have relating to the church my mother's family attended for several years (approximately 1909 to 1920) in Portland. It is not the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church about which you were seeking information (in NE Portland); rather it was a German congregation located in the Sellwood area. It is my hope that other folks may have information or photos to share regarding my family's congregation. It is my guess that your congregation may have been of Volga origin, while my family's church was perhaps of Black Sea origin.
Deutsche Evangelical Lutheran St. Paulus Kirche was located at 13th and Clinton in SE Portland. The copy of the photo card gives more information. Mother said that Pastor August Krause was a distant cousin, and he served the congregation for many years. (The church building still stands, but has been modified for other religious use.)
Photo 1 : The choir in 1915. My mom, Louise Krause, is second from the right in the front row.
Photo 2: The choir in 1916. My mom, Louise Krause, is seated at the left end of the front row.
Photo 3: Confirmation class with Pastor August Krause, on March 16, 1913. My mom, Louise Krause, is seated second from the left in the front row.
My parents (Louise Krause and Paul J. Peter) were married at this church on April 3, 1921. Several other siblings were also married here.
When I can, I intend to visit this congregation to learn more about its history. A pastor friend told me that the congregation moved to 39th and Brooklyn in the 1940s, when Walter Batterman was the pastor.
Connie Meyer
Greater Seattle Chapter, AHSGR
The History of St. Paul's Church in Sellwood
1889 - 1893
St. Paul Lutheran Church came into existence on August 22, 1889, through the efforts of 11 men who, as members of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Albina (Missouri Synod), had become dissatisfied with the introduction of the doctrine of predestination. Under the leadership of the Reverend J.W. Theiss, they first worshipped at a Lutheran church at East Seventh and Lincoln Streets. Later, they decided to solicit pledges for a new church of their own. After Pastor Theiss left in 1890, Pastor Paul of Cornelius, Oregon, held temporary services for one year. When a part of the congregation wished to acquire the property of the disbanded St. John congregation, a new split occurred. One group organized Trinity Lutheran Church, and those who remained as St. Paul made application to the Joint Synod of Ohio and other states for a pastor and mission support. A Candidate of Theology, C. F. Allwardt, preached his first sermon on June 21, 1891. Two years later Pastor Charles Beuchler of Peace Church in the Peninsula district of Portland served the congregation until the Reverend August Krause of Tacoma, Washington, followed the call of the Mission Board.
1893 - 1928
Pastor Krause preached his first sermon on the 17th Sunday after Trinity (September 20) 1893. The congregation numbered 20 communicants, and 15 people were present at his first sermon. There was an indebtedness of $100. Morning and evening services were conducted in the German language; and Sunday School, Saturday School and Vacation School were diligently held.
In March 1896 a site was purchased for $1,000 at E 12th and Clinton Streets. On May 17, 1896 the corner stone was laid, and in August the building dedicated to the service of God. A large bell was hung in the tower three years later. The construction of a parsonage was begun in 1899 and completed the following year. By 1909 the congregation numbered about 260 communicants. In that year the church was enlarged to accommodate the growing congregation. This was done by adding a chancel at the east end of the building. A new pipe organ installed, and the placement of art glass windows completed the structure.
An occasional evening service was conducted English, and later on the English service became one of the two Sunday morning services.
When St. Paul celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1914, it had cleared its mortgage and burned it at that time.
Thirty years of uninterrupted service to St. Paul by Pastor Krause was celebrated on the 17th Sunday after Trinity, 1923, the Anniversary Sunday of his first sermon.
Because of his failing eyesight, Pastor Krause unable to continue active ministry, and in April 1928 he ended 35 years of service to St. Paul. Reverend O.T. Just of Ritzville, Washington, followed the call to become his successor.
Pastor A. Krause
1928 - 1941
Pastor Just was installed on July 8, 1928. Under his leadership the very controversial transition was made from emphasis on German to English services, and the instruction of children in German was discontinued. The importance and necessity of this step is history now. Although it created some formidable problems at the time, Pastor Just was successful in accomplishing an orderly transition. The greater part of his ministry was carried on under the shadow of the great financial depression which gripped the country. Nevertheless, through self-sacrifice and firmness of purpose, he guided the church through one financial crisis after another; but at the same time he never wavered from the course of true Lutheran teaching and doctrine.
During his ministry, Pastor Just foresaw the need of a larger church building for the growing congregation and emphasized the importance of the building fund. Two substantial gifts of money formed the nucleus of such a fund, and with the continued efforts of Pastor Just, it gradually increased.
The Fiftieth Anniversary of St. Paul was celebrated on October 9, 1939. The motto for the celebration was "God, Our Refuge and Strength". The entire church interior had been renovated; the pulpit was lowered and moved away from the wall and refinished. A beautiful communion chalice and a splendidly bound pulpit Bible were presented at the morning service.
Pastor Just preached his last sermon on February 2, 1941. The next Saturday, February 8, after preparing his sermon for the following day, he became ill and was unable to return to the pulpit. He died on March 13, 1941, ending 13 years of service to St. Paul congregation. The Reverend W.H. Battermann of Marietta, Minnesota, was his successor.
Rev. W.H. Batterman
1941 - 1969
Pastor Battermann was installed on August 10, 1941. He scarcely had time to become acquainted with his new congregation when the outbreak of World War II presented its many problems, not the least of which was the rapid industrial encroachment upon and encirclement of the community which St. Paul served.
As the war progressed and the industrial expansion grew, Pastor Battermann recognized that St. Paul needed a building fund more than ever, but for an entirely different reason. It was increasingly obvious that the congregation would diminish or die if a new church site was not provided soon.
In the summer of 1946, a building site was purchased between 38th and 39th Avenues and Tibbetts and Brooklyn Streets in southeast Portland for $3,084. Architects Roald, Schmeer, and Harrington chosen. The building contract was awarded to E.F. Balgemann of Portland for $123,000.
Rev. O. T. Just
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held immediately after the morning service on Sunday, June 25, 1950, and work on the new building commenced the next day.
The last service in the old church was held on May 25, 1951. The church had been in use 55 years.
In the meantime, the old church property was sold and vacated on June 1, 1951. A parsonage was purchased at 3635 SE Tibbetts Street. Services and Sunday School were held at the Reed College Chapel until the new church was completed. The cornerstone for the new building was laid on Sunday, July 15, 1951.
With the help of God, the direction of Pastor Battermann, the devotion of the many able members of the various committees, and the support of the entire congregation, the building was dedicated on Sunday, September 9, 1951. A total of 1,727 persons passed through the doors of the new St. Paul Lutheran Church that day during the three services. A full week of rejoicing followed, with scheduled programs for each evening.
In December 1952 the congregation voted to hire their first parish worker. Six more followed over the years.
The new community St. Paul now served became a vital challenge, and the congregation now worked to finish and furnish the interior of the building: Sunday School rooms, educational unit, social room, and kitchen. In December 1955, the small chapel was dedicated. In January 1956, individual communion cups were used for the first time to replace the common cup. In July 1957, a new Baldwin electric organ was installed, and it was dedicated in October. This replaced the first organ, an Orgatron. Later, a set of Maas Chimes was donated.
By April 1958, the basement fellowship hall was completed and furnished. Most of this work was done by members.
At the Dedication, only nine panel windows above the altar and the Rose Window in the balcony had installed. By the spring of 1964, the 48 art glass windows on both sides of the nave, and the three art glass windows in the narthex, were dedicated. These windows had been presented as memorials with a donation of over $6,000. Mr. Albert A. Gerlach was the artist.
Five new Sunday School rooms and a new parsonage 3761 SE Brooklyn Street were dedicated on January 12, 1964. This date marked the beginning of the Seventy- fifth Anniversary of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and the celebration of the anniversary lasted a year. The main festive service was on September 27.
Twenty-five years of uninterrupted ministry at St. Paul by Pastor Battermann was celebrated September 11, 1966. He continued to shepherd St. Paul congregation until his retirement on August 1969, exactly 28 years after his August 10, 1941 installation.
1969 - 1982
In late August 1969, a letter was received from Stanley G. Gunsten accepting the call as Pastor, and he was installed on October 19, 1969 by Dr. S. C. Siefkes, Northwest District President.
Rev. Stanley G. Gunsten
Arriving with no prior knowledge of the history of St. Paul, with its previous pastors having covered 76 years of service, Pastor Gunsten ably continued the needed spiritual leadership and guidance and, in addition, brought new vitality to the church. One new idea was the institution of communion on the first Sunday of each month. Another was the acceptance of the intern program of the American Lutheran Church, a training experience for new ministerial students. In the fall of 1970, Mark Wikstrom became our first intern. Annually thereafter followed eight more. They were presented the first Sunday in September.
In addition to his pastorate at St. Paul, Pastor Gunsten served actively as Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) in the U.S.A.R.
September 12, 1971, marked the Twentieth Anniversary of the present church building. Pastor Battermann, retired, brought the same message he had delivered at the 1951 dedication.
In 1971 the use of acolytes was started.
The constitution was amended in December 1971 permitting 16-year-old members to vote. A house at 3035 SE 39th Avenue was purchased in 1972 and was used for intern housing.
At a special congregational meeting on January 7, 1973, the constitution was amended permitting women to serve on the council.
A contract was signed for the purchase of a new Moller pipe organ on March 27, 1974, and it was delivered and installed the week of July 8. We heard it on July 14 for the first time. The old Baldwin organ was given to St. Andrews Church, Orchards, Washington, a mission congregation.
A church bus was also purchased in 1974.
A surprise commerative service and reception for the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Ordination of Pastor Gunsten was observed on June 9, 1974.
On September 15, 1974, St. Paul observed the Eighty-fifth Anniversary of service to the Lord and community. The influence of our church in spreading the Gospel of Christ in Southeast Portland continued.
In August 1979 St. Paul Lutheran’s firth intern, David Forsberg, returned having accepted the call as our congregation’s first Associate Pastor. Pastor Forsberg was installed on September 23, 1979 by Pastor Gunsten and it was also the 90th Anniversary of St. Paul. Together Pastors Gunsten and Forsberg began St. Paul's first experience with team ministry. This team ministry was well received because of a joint appeal to both young and old and our congregation experienced new growth. As more young couples were attracted to and became members of St. Paul, new areas of ministry developed, such as our young couple's club, Club 80, and a Christian preschool in the fall of 1981. Introduced during the ministry of Pastors Gunsten and Forsberg was the Lutheran Book of Worship.
In July 1982, Pastor Gunsten retired from active parish ministry. A special retirement service banquet were held for the Gunstens at which time they were presented with a congratulatory trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Pastor and Mrs. Gunsten upon retirement, moved to a home they had purchased in suburban Spokane, Washington.