“Eine Heimat in New York” a home in New York. This phrase encapsulates the essence of Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Imagine being a German immigrant arriving in New York City. You are seeking familiarity and spiritual connection. Saint Paul’s becomes that sanctuary.
Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich history deeply intertwined with German immigration to New York City. Its story began when German Lutherans gathered. They first worshiped at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. This was in lower Manhattan. As the German-speaking population grew, St. Matthew’s held three services each Sunday to accommodate everyone.
On August 15 1841 a group from St. Matthew’s met. They met in Hall No. 148 on 8th Avenue. They founded St. Paul’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Just over a year later, on October 17 1842, the cornerstone was laid. This was for their first church and school. It was located at the corner of 6th Avenue and 15th Street. The church opened on Christmas of the same year.
Membership grew rapidly as more Germans immigrated. After 18 years a larger church was needed. The original building was demolished after its last service on May 6 1860. A new impressive edifice was built on the same site. The second church opened on March 20-21 1861. It was built in the Romanesque style. It could accommodate nearly 1000 people. This was on the main floor and in its three galleries.
Life changed again in 1878. The Sixth Avenue elevated train opened. A station was located just a block away. The El’s steam-powered locomotives showered ash and soot. The noise became intolerable. The area transformed into a shopping district known as “The Ladies’ Mile”. Church officials sought a new location.
In 1897, a tract was purchased on West 22nd Street. Francis A. Minuth, a German architect, was commissioned. He would design the third and present building. The cornerstone was laid on July 4 1897. Only seven months later, on February 13 1898 the church officially opened debt-free.
Built in the neo-Gothic style, the limestone facade features two towers. Inside are galleries on three sides. There is an apse with five windows. These are by Mayer & Co. of Munich, Germany. Wooden furnishings were crafted by Semmann Wagerin & Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Saint Paul’s Church has been a spiritual and social home to immigrants. After Germany declared war on the United States in 1941, things changed. The church could not publish its newsletter in German. Many members were interned until 1947. The war was difficult for many. Their sons were fighting against the Nazis. All Germans in the USA were treated with suspicion.
After the war, St. Paul’s became a center of information about Germany. Members donated clothing and money to fight misery and hunger in post-war Germany. Today, St. Paul’s includes Germans working for companies, embassies, and schools. The EKD sends a pastor to New York to meet their needs. Services and programs are in German.
The George Jardine & Son organ has been a constant. It was installed in 1897. It cost $3140. The organ has 2 manuals and 26 stops. It has 29 ranks. It was rebuilt in 1994. The organ continues to fill the sanctuary with music.
Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as a testament to faith. It is a testament to community and resilience. It is a place where German heritage and American life intertwine. It offers a spiritual home in the heart of New York City.