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 the 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 League 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 measured 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 Pastor Gunther from Oct 1, 1960 to November 11 1962.

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

Rev. John Schmacher began functioning as vacancy pastor, 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 illness and passing in 1968) until September 26, 1968, when Rev. Lambert E. Loock was installed.

Pastor Loock had been a missionary to Nigeria, West Africa, where he taught at a Lutheran High School and had carried out evangelism in Ogoja Province for about 2 years.  Pastor Loock served at St Paul's from 1968 until 1974, he approached his work in Norwalk in a manner similar to the mission field.

Sanctuary improvements (carpeting, pews, and air conditioners) 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.

Rev. Paul N Guebert was installed as Pastor in 1975, he had lived and worked in several churches in Canada before coming to Norwalk, he served until his retirement in 1989.

Rev Carl Nelson was called to serve as pastor on May 28th 1989 and served St Paul's Until his retirement.

By the 1990's Norwalk had undergone a significant change demographically.  Many of the original families of St. Paul's had moved out of the area and Norwalk had become increasingly populated by immigrant families.  There was a substantial Hispanic/Latino presence in the city in general and around the vicinity of St Paul's in particular.  By 1996 a Hispanic ministry was begun at St Paul's to reach out to the neighborhood.  However it wasn't until 2001 that the Hispanic ministry was expanded, with the arrival of Vicar Abel Neyra.  It was during the pastoral vacancy, served by Pastor Eng, that the Hispanic ministry became a reality.

Rev Carlos Hernandez was called to be pastor at St. Paul's in January 2003.  He had extensive ministry experience throughout the United States and also worked for Human Care Ministry/Disaster Relief for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  During the time that Pastor Hernandez was at St. Paul's the Hispanic ministry grew.  Pastor Hernandez stayed until the end of 2004.

In June 2005 Rev Antonio J Lopez arrived with his family from Brooklyn New York. Outreach activities have been a characteristic of the church since Pastor Lopez' began serving at St. Paul's.  In 2007 the Hispanic congregation became full voting members and many serve as officers in the church board. 

Today St Paul's continues to strive to serve and reflect God's love to the community of Norwalk. It is a deverse multigenerational fellowship of believers, everyone is welcome to join us and grow with us. 

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