The History of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church & School...
The first German Lutheran congregation met in Sioux City in 1877 and was incorporated on January 8, 1879. The first church building was located at 613 Jackson Street and was purchased from Emmanuel Evangelical Church for $1,300. It was dedicated in October, 1879. The first pastor and his wife died of typhoid fever in 1882 and the congregation became inactive for a period of time.
A seminary student from Springfield, Illinois pulled the congregation together and in 1883, the congregation incorporated as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. By 1901, the growth of the church necessitated a new building and it was constructed on the site at a cost of $5,791.14.
In 1912, the present church property on Jennings Street was purchased. The first parsonage was built in 1914. Talk of a new church began and on August 7, 1927, the cornerstone was laid. Dedication took place on January 22, 1928.
A school has always been part of the ministry at St. Paul's. The first schools were maintained in the church basement. Two members of the congregation offered to build a separate building if the church would build a home for the teacher. In 1915 the new building was dedicated.
German services were conducted until 1942, when the final German sermon was preached and the transition to English was completed.
Over the years, additional property was purchased so that current ownership is nearly a full block. Additional classrooms, a fellowship hall, church offices and a new organ have been added.
With the Lord's blessing and many dedicated Christian workers, St. Paul's will continue for many, many more years to come.
A seminary student from Springfield, Illinois pulled the congregation together and in 1883, the congregation incorporated as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. By 1901, the growth of the church necessitated a new building and it was constructed on the site at a cost of $5,791.14.
In 1912, the present church property on Jennings Street was purchased. The first parsonage was built in 1914. Talk of a new church began and on August 7, 1927, the cornerstone was laid. Dedication took place on January 22, 1928.
A school has always been part of the ministry at St. Paul's. The first schools were maintained in the church basement. Two members of the congregation offered to build a separate building if the church would build a home for the teacher. In 1915 the new building was dedicated.
German services were conducted until 1942, when the final German sermon was preached and the transition to English was completed.
Over the years, additional property was purchased so that current ownership is nearly a full block. Additional classrooms, a fellowship hall, church offices and a new organ have been added.
With the Lord's blessing and many dedicated Christian workers, St. Paul's will continue for many, many more years to come.
St. Paul's has established or assisted in the organization of several daughter congregations.
Here is a list of sister churches of St. Paul's.
Here is a list of sister churches of St. Paul's.
- Redeemer, Sioux City https://www.redeemersiouxcity.com/
- Bethel, Lawton https://www.bethellawton.org/home
- Calvary, Sioux City https://calvarylutheransiouxcityia.org/
- Bethany, Sioux City
- Faith, Sioux City
- Shepherd of Peace, Sergeant Bluff https://www.shepherdofpeacechurch.com/
- Peace for the Deaf, Sioux City
Past and Present Pastors at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Pastor Kenneth Hsu
Pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School from
August 2002 to present
Studied at Concordia Seminary from 1998 to 2002
Lives in Sioux City, Iowa
From Taipei, Taiwan
Married to Andrea Gadbury Hsu since June 2008
Father of 4 children
August 2002 to present
Studied at Concordia Seminary from 1998 to 2002
Lives in Sioux City, Iowa
From Taipei, Taiwan
Married to Andrea Gadbury Hsu since June 2008
Father of 4 children
Pastors who Served St. Paul's
- A. Eisenbeiss, 1877-82
- C. Runge, 1883-88
- J. Trinklein, 1888-93
- C. Noack, 1893-99
- R. Amstein, 1899-1904
- T. Stephen, 1905-10
- G. Matthaidiss, 1910-33
- A. Janke, 1934-56
- S. Holstein, 1953-60
- R. Holzhauer, 1961-66
- H. Schauland, 1967-78
- D. Johnson, 1979-82
- P. Wagner, 1982-86
- D. Daumer, 1984-89
- D. Young, 1988-95
- D. Constien, 1989-91
- G. Zehnder, 1992-2002
- L. Kostizen, 1996-2009
- K. Hsu, 2002-
Expanding the vision...
As a member congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, St. Paul's is part of a global mission to share the Gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ. In addition to supporting missionaries in other countries, the LC-MS also maintains universities and seminaries for the training of church workers. It is also involved in media and publishing, making ministry resources available to congregations and schools.
St. Paul's is affiliated regionally with other churches in the Iowa District West. Conferences, retreats, mission projects and consultations are part of the District's ministry to its member congregations and schools.
St. Paul's is affiliated regionally with other churches in the Iowa District West. Conferences, retreats, mission projects and consultations are part of the District's ministry to its member congregations and schools.
Click on the picture above to get a link for more information about 175 years of history in the LCMS.
For 175 years, the Holy Spirit has kept us in the one true faith and still continues to gather sinners into the Holy Christian Church by grace through faith — all on account of Christ. As we give thanks for our Synod’s founding on April 26, 1847, we rejoice in the 175th-anniversary theme, “Only Jesus: No Other Name,” based on Acts 4:12. Until Jesus comes, the LCMS will continue to trust in, teach and preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
For 175 years, the Holy Spirit has kept us in the one true faith and still continues to gather sinners into the Holy Christian Church by grace through faith — all on account of Christ. As we give thanks for our Synod’s founding on April 26, 1847, we rejoice in the 175th-anniversary theme, “Only Jesus: No Other Name,” based on Acts 4:12. Until Jesus comes, the LCMS will continue to trust in, teach and preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.