History of the Church
With grateful hearts we acknowledge, “The Lord hath done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126:3.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church began as a mission church started by the Nebraska District of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states in the summer of 1913. The first pastor was installed as mission pastor on January 11, 1914. This mission church held its first service the following Sunday in the Fireman's Hall in Beatrice, Nebraska. Seventeen people attended this first service. This was the beginning of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Beatrice, Nebraska.
Fireman's Hall - Beatrice
First Church at 8th and High
It began to grow and soon outgrew the upstairs of the Fireman's Hall and became an inadequate place to worship, so the Nebraska District Missouri Synod Board purchased an existing church building located on 8th and High Street which was offered to them by the Congregational Church. In August 1914, this building was dedicated as a Lutheran Church.
The first meeting for the organization was held on October 26, 1914. A suitable constitution was discussed. On January 17, 1915, the German English Evangelical St. Paul's Congregation was officially organized and a constitution adopted. Incorporation of the church took place on January 28, 1915. To carry out the command of our Lord to spread the Gospel, missions was one of the first objectives. In 1918, there was some discussion on using individual cups at communion, and the envelope system was adopted on a trial basis. In 1919, due to the pressure of the war, an English constitution was adopted, and a short English sermonette was to be held at 9:30am and a full German service as usual at 10:45am.
The 1930s brought the great depression our nation has ever experienced, coupled with years of drought. Like a wine press, it squeezed on every side. People lost jobs, food crops were hard to come by, and salaries were cut. Salaries were cut for the pastors and teachers. The old parsonage at 7th and High was sold because of difficulties to keep up payments, and the pastor was allowed $33.00 a month for rent.
The first meeting for the organization was held on October 26, 1914. A suitable constitution was discussed. On January 17, 1915, the German English Evangelical St. Paul's Congregation was officially organized and a constitution adopted. Incorporation of the church took place on January 28, 1915. To carry out the command of our Lord to spread the Gospel, missions was one of the first objectives. In 1918, there was some discussion on using individual cups at communion, and the envelope system was adopted on a trial basis. In 1919, due to the pressure of the war, an English constitution was adopted, and a short English sermonette was to be held at 9:30am and a full German service as usual at 10:45am.
The 1930s brought the great depression our nation has ever experienced, coupled with years of drought. Like a wine press, it squeezed on every side. People lost jobs, food crops were hard to come by, and salaries were cut. Salaries were cut for the pastors and teachers. The old parsonage at 7th and High was sold because of difficulties to keep up payments, and the pastor was allowed $33.00 a month for rent.
The 1940s brought WWII. Many of our congregation, both men and women, served in the armed forces. At the end of the war, those returning were welcomed with a reception by the church.
Early in 1947, the German services were completely dropped. Following this, the Radio Mission started. The broadcast extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes to an hour. In 1958, the LLL was authorized to take over the promotion of this mission, which today is supported by memorials and funds from individuals including the greater KWBE listening area.
The congregation of St. Paul's experienced a slow, but steady growth through the years. By 1943, the need for expansion was felt. The present location at the corner of 10th and High Street was purchased for about $11,500 in 1948. It was decided in 1948, to complete the parsonage first on the south portion of this property.
Early in 1947, the German services were completely dropped. Following this, the Radio Mission started. The broadcast extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes to an hour. In 1958, the LLL was authorized to take over the promotion of this mission, which today is supported by memorials and funds from individuals including the greater KWBE listening area.
The congregation of St. Paul's experienced a slow, but steady growth through the years. By 1943, the need for expansion was felt. The present location at the corner of 10th and High Street was purchased for about $11,500 in 1948. It was decided in 1948, to complete the parsonage first on the south portion of this property.
Parsonage
Church building under construction
Placing the cornerstone
On October 1, 1950, construction of the church basement begun with groundbreaking ceremonies. After completion of the basement, services were held in the basement until 1955. The cornerstone for the church was laid in July 1954 and the dedication of the church was on September 4, 1955.
By 1955, it became apparent St. Paul's needed to provide a home for the principal of the school, so a teacherage was purchased at 1422 Garfield. At this time, the trustees were authorized to negotiate a new 10-year $130,000 loan with A.A.L. to cover all our indebtedness.
Some of the notable activities carried out by the congregation are Seward's H.U.B. solicitation during the winter of 1961; first annual congregation picnic in 1961; establishing a Welfare Committee in October 1962; establishing of a scholarship fund; purchasing of a bus for school and Walther League; and a mission fare sponsored by the Dorcas Society.
In 1990, an updated layout of the chancel was constructed. This helped to accommodate a larger number of members to attend the Lord's Supper at one time with ease. It is seen today as our current layout.
In March 1993, the church basement was remodeled to create more friendly and spacious offices. Many members of the congregation lent a hand in tearing down the stage and, in its place, built the current offices.
It was decided at a special voter's meeting in December 1994 that the church would begin the project of installing an elevator. By doing so, the church became handicap accessible and offered an easier way for the congregation members to access the different levels of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Today, it provides a challenge of trying to figure out how to fix it when it doesn't work.
By 1955, it became apparent St. Paul's needed to provide a home for the principal of the school, so a teacherage was purchased at 1422 Garfield. At this time, the trustees were authorized to negotiate a new 10-year $130,000 loan with A.A.L. to cover all our indebtedness.
Some of the notable activities carried out by the congregation are Seward's H.U.B. solicitation during the winter of 1961; first annual congregation picnic in 1961; establishing a Welfare Committee in October 1962; establishing of a scholarship fund; purchasing of a bus for school and Walther League; and a mission fare sponsored by the Dorcas Society.
In 1990, an updated layout of the chancel was constructed. This helped to accommodate a larger number of members to attend the Lord's Supper at one time with ease. It is seen today as our current layout.
In March 1993, the church basement was remodeled to create more friendly and spacious offices. Many members of the congregation lent a hand in tearing down the stage and, in its place, built the current offices.
It was decided at a special voter's meeting in December 1994 that the church would begin the project of installing an elevator. By doing so, the church became handicap accessible and offered an easier way for the congregation members to access the different levels of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Today, it provides a challenge of trying to figure out how to fix it when it doesn't work.
In late 2019, talk began around the world of the coronavirus disease, eventually called COVID-19. By January 2020, the first cases appeared in the United States. On March 16, 2020, everything changed in the life of the church as we knew it. Services within the church walls came to a halt. Services quickly changed to being taped and shown on Sunday morning on YouTube. After a few weeks and many long hours put in by members of the congregation, worship services were held in the parking lot, with members listening to an FM station in their vehicles, along with the services being live-streamed on YouTube. Although we were thankful to be able to worship together with our church family, it still was not the same.
Social distancing became the new normal. Partaking in the Lord's gift of the Lord's Supper was also put on hold. After a few months, the necessity was there to receive the Lord's Supper, so we began to offer the Lord's Supper in a mass gathering. Even when we cannot receive the Lord's Supper, we are still given God's forgiveness given and shed for us through Christ, we are still given His words of forgiveness through Holy Absolution and the promises proclaimed in the gospel. Services within the church walls were halted until June 21, 2020, when in person worship began again, along with it still being held in the parking lot until November 1.
From 1997 through 2017, St. Paul’s was served by a sole pastor, Rev. Douglas Irmer. In the three years that followed, the congregation did a lot of healing with guidance from the district. The vacancy was filled on October 11, 2020, by our current pastor, Rev. Daryn Bahn. Leading up to his arrival, the parsonage went through updates and renovation during the summer of 2020. The work was completed by many generous volunteers from the congregation. As the coronavirus began to dwindle in the United States, life in the church began to go back to normal. Groups began to meet again, and on April 25, 2021, in-person Sunday School and Adult Bible Class began again. Coronavirus changed the landscape of ministry. There are sure to be challenges in the future, but life in the church is here to stay.
Social distancing became the new normal. Partaking in the Lord's gift of the Lord's Supper was also put on hold. After a few months, the necessity was there to receive the Lord's Supper, so we began to offer the Lord's Supper in a mass gathering. Even when we cannot receive the Lord's Supper, we are still given God's forgiveness given and shed for us through Christ, we are still given His words of forgiveness through Holy Absolution and the promises proclaimed in the gospel. Services within the church walls were halted until June 21, 2020, when in person worship began again, along with it still being held in the parking lot until November 1.
From 1997 through 2017, St. Paul’s was served by a sole pastor, Rev. Douglas Irmer. In the three years that followed, the congregation did a lot of healing with guidance from the district. The vacancy was filled on October 11, 2020, by our current pastor, Rev. Daryn Bahn. Leading up to his arrival, the parsonage went through updates and renovation during the summer of 2020. The work was completed by many generous volunteers from the congregation. As the coronavirus began to dwindle in the United States, life in the church began to go back to normal. Groups began to meet again, and on April 25, 2021, in-person Sunday School and Adult Bible Class began again. Coronavirus changed the landscape of ministry. There are sure to be challenges in the future, but life in the church is here to stay.
In May 2023 the church wanted to make the elevator entrance more accessible. Hand railings were installed on both sides of the sidewalk. Many members of the congregation lent a hand at installing and painting the railings.
A severe hail storm came through Beatrice with softball size or larger hail in July 2022. Due to this storm, the roof of the church and several other buildings needed to be replaced. It was difficult to find a company who wanted to work on such a steep roof. The roof was finally shingled in October 2023.
From humble beginnings with some seventeen faithful souls at a mission congregation in a firehall, St. Paul's continues to grow. It supports a parochial school with 136 students, a Child Care Center with 30 children and 39 children in an after-school program, operates a Sunday School for all ages, a Lutheran Youth Fellowship, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and other auxiliary organizations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Truly, the Lord, over the years has shed His bountiful blessings upon us for which we thank and praise Him today.