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In 1841, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations decided
to build separate buildings. The present church building was erected on the site of
the original building in 1866. It has been in continuous use since
that time, although it has In 1897 repairs and improvements were made to the interior of the church, including new leaded glass windows, light reflectors, and a pipe organ. In the 1940’s the interior of the church was again redecorated and organ chimes were installed. In 1952, a two-story educational building was added to the rear of the church. A complete interior renovation done at that time included the installation of new lights and carpets and moving the organ. In 1972 the church steeple was lighted, making St. Paul a landmark in the Jefferson skyline. On May 2 of 1999 the congregation dedicated the former parsonage as the new Bishop Morris Zumbrun Parish House. The parish house is used for Christian education and the Jefferson Food Bank. St. Paul has always been a place where the Gospel is preached and the Word is studied. As far as is known, there has always been an active Sunday School program from the first days of the church. The St. Paul Sunday School has one of the few remaining church bands in Frederick County, having been organized in 1927. The women of St. Paul have never been ones to sit quietly on the sidelines. In 1883, ten women organized the Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society. Although this organization has had several name changes, including the Women’s Missionary Society, the United Church Women, and the Lutheran Church Women, it is now known as the Woman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is affiliated with both Synod and Church wide organizations. The youth of St. Paul have been nearly as active. The first youth group was organized in 1889 and was known as the Young Peoples Mission Band. Even though the name has been changed to the Young Peoples Missionary and Aid Society, the Light Brigade, Children of the Church, Young Peoples Missionary Society, the Luther League and to the present St. Paul’s Youth (SPY), the young people have been very active in our church. St. Paul Lutheran Church continues to grow and change. |
St.
Paul continued to join with and separate from other Lutheran churches in
the area. For about twelve years after its founding, the fledgling congregation
was part of the Middletown, Maryland, charge. In 1838, St. Paul was
separated from the Middletown parish and joined with Mt. Zion in Burkittsville
and St. Matthew’s on the Manor and was known collectively as the Jefferson
charge. In 1850 the congregation purchased the Dr. Cronise house
for $2000 to be used as a parsonage. The parsonage located beside
the church was built in 1847 as a doctors office. In 1858 Burkittsville
left the charge and St. Matthew’s in 1886. The Jefferson parish then consisted
of St. Paul in Jefferson and Mt. Zion and St. Luke in Feagaville.
This three church parish continued until 1966, when St. Paul became an
independent church.
A lot was purchased and a brick church was constructed. The building was
"45’ long, 35’ wide, and 18’ in the clear." The original construction
contract called for "an altar, a pulpit, pews with two aisles, and a ten
foot end gallery in the rear." A basement was furnished with pews
and a desk, and is still used today as an adult Sunday School room.
undergone
several renovations, some planned and some not. In 1874 the rear
gable was blown in by a violent storm, and when it was repaired tower bells
were added.
Rev.
Katrina Holland
Rev. George
Miller
Rev. Joe Lettrich
Rev.
Virginia Price
Rev. Bruce
Barth
Rev. Frederic
L. Cudlipp
Rev. George
W. Fitch, Jr
Rev. Eugene
W. Young
Rev. J.C.
Moreland
Rev.
Morris Zumbrun
Rev. George
H. Seiler
Rev. R.G.
Lang
Rev. G.I.
Uhler
Rev. A.G. Null
Rev.
Abraham.
Reck
