St. Paul was organized on May 24, 1868, although a group of some 50 Lutherans had been meeting for worship for some years prior to that date. The records of the church date back to 1863, when the Rev. George Reinsch served the spiritual needs of the Lutherans in Paducah.
Early in 1868, the Rev. Bernard Sickle arrived from Lincoln, Illinois, and orgainized the Lutherans, which resulted in the founding of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Seventeen charter members signed the constitution of the church on May 31, 1868. In the same meeting it was resolved to affiliate with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Illinois and other states. In 1880 this synod merged with the Missouri Synod.
In 1872, a new brick church was built on the property. A Christian day school was opened in 1876 with Rev. B.J. Ansorge serving as both pastor and teacher. In early 1916, the church purchased property at Fifth and Washington with the intention of building a new church there in the future. In later years, the decision was made to move farther out to the city limits and a large lot at 21st and Kentucky was purchased.
A two-classroom school building was built on the 21st Street property in 1929. It was to htis building that the congregation turned in refuge in 1937 when a devastating flood destoyed the old church building. A new sanctuary was built attached to the existing building. The new church, which still serves the congregation today, was dedicated to the glory of God in 1939.
St. Paul has been faithfully served by its pastors throughout its history. For over the last 60 years, we have had only two pastors. Rev. Frank Kauth served from 1932 to 1965; and Rev. Paul Donner has served from 1966 until today.
Our God has indeed been our help in ages past and we thank and praise Him for His blessings. Because He is a faithful God we also believe with confidence that He will continue to be our hope for the years to come as we step into the future serving God's people and God's world.
