In 1882, a group of nine people separated themselves from the regular assembly of Germans who met in downtown Rockford for German preaching. They were dissatisfied with a mere “German club” and desired to cling to the Word of God. For this, they endured both scorn and ridicule from many of their German neighbors.
Undaunted, they insisted that with the help of God their minor band would persevere on the foundation of the pure Gospel as confessed in the Lutheran Book of Concord of 1580. Services began in the basement of First Lutheran Church and swelled in attendance. On March 11, 1888, the first full time pastor was installed, and three months later took residence at 210 Seventh St, near Second Ave. - what would soon become the first home of St. Paul Lutheran Church. In July, the first constitution of the “German St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Unaltered Augsburg Confession, of Rockford Illinois” was signed by heads of household representing eighteen families.
St. Paul was founded in opposition to laxity and indifference in doctrine and life.
In 1889 work was begun on a new sanctuary on a lot purchased at 423 Chestnut Street. The following year, the congregation elected to affiliate with the Evangelical Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, as the LCMS was then named. In that same year, the first Christian day school was also established. The original building was lit by oil lights, used chairs instead of pews, and had both a reed organ and a two-manual pipe organ.
In 1903, the congregation purchased the site on Horsman St., first erecting a parsonage, and later erecting a sanctuary building. The three bells in the steeple were purchased with funds raised by “the young people of the church.” They are inscribed with the words, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.”
On prophets and apostles built, and Christ the cornerstone.
For the next century, St. Paul would see many ups and not a few downs. But the words preached by Dr. J.W. Behnken at the 50th anniversary service in 1938 that are perhaps the best summary: “St. Paul was founded in opposition to laxity and indifference in doctrine and life...By the unmerited grace of God the truth of God’s Holy Word has prevailed in St. Paul Church...the Gospel in all of its purity and sweetness has been preached and sung unchanged and unadulterated... When, by the mercy of God, our children and children’s children will celebrate the centennial anniversary, may their boast still be the Gospel of Christ, as confessed by our fathers in the past, and by us...”
This hymn was composed for the centennial celebration at St. Paul:
My Church! My Church! My dear old Church! My glory and my pride! Firm in the faith Immanuel taught, she holds no faith beside. Upon this Rock, ‘gainst every shock, though gates of hell assail, she stands secure, with promise sure, “They never shall prevail.” On prophets and apostles built, and Christ the cornerstone! All else besides, by storm or tide, may yet be overthrown; But not my Church, my dear old Church, my father’s and my own.
That centennial, along with many faithful and beloved preachers, came and went. In the intervening years, the day school closed and reopened. One pastor got involved in local radio. The congregation started Rockford Lutheran High School, which led to the formation of several other Lutheran day schools. They planted several congregations in Rockford and as far away as Rockton. One of these was St. Matthew Lutheran Church, originally meeting in Whig Hill School. St. Matthew built a church building and parish hall at the northwest corner of Rockford in 1971. This congregation eventually could not stand on its own and was reabsorbed into the care of St. Paul in August of 1996.
In June of 2019, after much deliberation, the congregation decided to leave her downtown Rockford location and relocate to St. Matthew’s former building on the northwest side of Rockford. The congregation had been conducting weekly worship and Bible study at this site along with the worship at the downtown location. The school had closed earlier that year, and both the church and school properties were sold.
Our trust rests in Christ alone.
Since relocating, St. Paul has weathered storms both great and small. Yet she continues to stand firm—not because of the length of her history, nor because of the perseverance and grit of us her members, but because our trust rests in Christ alone. Our confidence remains in the pure Word and Sacraments of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the Church. On this foundation, St. Paul continues to receive God’s gifts, confess His truth, and look to Him for strength in every season.