About

The exact date of the founding of St. Paul's Lutheran Church is undocumented; ample evidence suggests that a congregation was meeting in some form by 1776. Continually since 1776, a faithful congregation has gathered at this site for worship and praise. Five structures have housed our congregation: three of log and two of brick. The first documented baptisms by an unknown pastor occurred in 1776. The founding members were German families from the Palatinate region of southwest Germany, who sailed to Philadelphia to escape war, religious persecution, and poverty. These families traveled south on the Great Wagon Road (modern-day Route 11) to southwest Virginia and beyond. These early families established settlements on the New River, Reed Creek, and Cripple Creek before the Revolution. Records show grist mills, taverns, farms, and furniture making among their trades.

In September of 1916, the present lovely building was dedicated, with detailed records of the building process recorded by Frank Repass Brown. The Fellowship Hall, added in 2009, was designed to blend seamlessly with the beautiful original building under Doug Matney's oversight and tremendous effort. In the sanctuary, a handmade communion cloth of hand-spun flax used continuously for 132 years, embroidered with the date 1784, is displayed. Also displayed are a Britannia Communion set dated 1855, a walnut communion table, and a lamp stand. Albums of photographs capture the church family throughout the generations.

The congregation today, worshipping with Reverend Jason Darty, OLF as pastor, is the oldest Lutheran congregation west of the New River. Referred to as The Meeting House or The Old Church on Rith (Reed) Creek, St. Paul is known as the mother church of four Lutheran churches established in Western Wythe County and Sharon Lutheran Church in Ceres, Bland County, before 1800. In 1920, St. Paul and Grace Lutheran (Rural Retreat) united to form the Rural Retreat Lutheran Parish, as it remains today.

The St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, also dating from 1776, holds gravestones created in the German folk art style of our ancestors. Many of the early graves, once marked by a simple wood cross, have returned to the earth, leaving graves unmarked but never forgotten. The oldest known still-standing tombstone dates to 1795. As we share the birth of St. Paul with the birth of this great nation, we honor the final resting places of Revolutionary War Patriots and the brave from each war since interred in St. Paul Cemetery.

Through wars, economic uncertainty, and ever-evolving social change, St. Paul has remained steadfast in sharing the love and compassion of Our Lord Jesus Christ with all. The ministry of St. Paul has always served our brothers and sisters in Wythe County, across the nation, and across the world.

From fall bonfires and bible school with our youth, baptisms, celebrations of life, and Sunday potlucks, joining in the fellowship at St. Paul always feels like coming home. We culminate our celebrations on September 13th at 1030 am with honored guests, The Bishop and Vice Bishop of the VA Synod ELCA leading worship. Following this service, we will have an afternoon of activities including a potluck meal, historical displays and tours of the church and cemetery, a professional photographer for group and family photos and a gospel sing along. All are welcome to join in celebrating St. Paul's birthday, which we share with this great nation.