History of
St. Paul's Lutheran Church

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has been part of the Gilbert community for more than 200 years. It was formed in 1802 in an area that was largely inhabited by German and Swiss settlers known as Hollow Creek. Names mentioned on the original deed of the church include Gable, Reiss (Price), Gordman, Kaufman and Roll (Rawl). 

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While the first church was likely a simple log structure, St. Paul’s has had four sanctuaries over the years. Each was built in close proximity to a nearby spring and amongst several large boulders which can still be seen today. The second church was constructed in the 1850’s and also served as the school for the area. The third church building, originally constructed in 1889, was remodeled and expanded in 1949 to include an assembly room and Sunday school rooms. However, in June of 1952, lightning struck the steeple and the church burned completely down. Despite the tragic loss, new construction began shortly afterwards. In the meantime, services were held in the Gilbert High School auditorium. The cost of the new building, classrooms, kitchen and assembly room was $50,000. Services were held in the assembly room for several years before the completion of the present day sanctuary in 1961. 

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Additional Sunday school rooms, a youth room and a new kitchen were dedicated in February of 1990. The narthex was remodeled in 2009 and the portico was added shortly afterwards. 

St. Paul’s first cemetery was established next to the church in 1908. Prior to that, most people were buried in family cemeteries. A second cemetery was established in 1953 on Priceville Road.

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Just like the rocks on which it was built, St. Paul’s has stood for decades and it will be around for decades to come. 

“Built on the Rock, the church shall stand

even when steeples are falling;

Christ builds His church in ev'ry land;

bells still are chiming and calling,

calling the young and old to rest,

calling the souls of those distressed,

longing for life everlasting.”

- Built on the Rock