History

The first Lutheran service, for a group of individuals who were later to form the nucleus of St. Paul
Evangelical Lutheran Church, was held on May 26, 1921. The Rev. W.F. Troeger, Pastor of
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church of Santa Monica, California, conducted the service. Later,
services were regularly conducted in that city in the home of Mrs. Josephine Walters and
continued without interruption for four years. About the same time, the sainted Pastor J.W. Theiss,
of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Los Angeles, was authorized by his congregation to
begin mission work among the African Americans of Los Angeles. A mission group met in the
home of Mr. And Mrs. Pollard. Pastor Theiss served this mission group for a period of three years.

In the summer of 1925 the sainted Pastor John McDavid, of Charlotte, North Carolina was called
as the first resident missionary. Pastor McDavid was installed on September 11, 1925. On
September 20th the two small groups were merged and organized as St. Paul Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Los Angeles, numbering 36 souls.

A modest church property was purchased in the summer of 1926 at 666 East 37th Street, Los
Angeles, California. At the time of Pastor McDavid’s death in October 1937, St. Paul had grown to
172 souls.

The labor at St. Paul was continued by the sainted Pastor Paul D. Lehman in December 1937. By
the grace of God, the congregation grew and prospered. On March 6, 1955, dedication services
were held for the present edifice. Handicapped by the loss of his voice as a result of throat
surgery, Rev. Lehman retired in 1965.

The sainted Rev. Harvey J. Lehman, brother of the late Rev. Paul D. Lehman, was installed on
November 7, 1965 to continue God’s work at St. Paul. Under his guidance, the church celebrated
its 50th anniversary. Pastor Harvey J. Lehman retired in 1980 after 15 years of leadership at St.
Paul.

The Rev. Ronald Rehrer accepted the call to serve St. Paul as its pastor in 1980. Under his
leadership the congregation continued its growth and development with the institution of annual
leadership retreats and intentional focus on worship. Pastor Reher led the congregation in ministry
until 1987 when he accepted a call to serve the Pacific Southwest District.

In 1988 the Rev. Carl E. Robinson was installed as pastor of St. Paul. During his tenure the
congregation continued to focus its outreach on the community. Pastor Robinson accepted a call
to another congregation in 1992.

After an intentional interim period of one year under the leadership of Rev. Robert Faga, the Rev.
Glenn A. Lucas was called to serve St. Paul as pastor. He was installed on August 22, 1993.
During the tenure of Pastor Lucas the congregation focused its work in three areas. Facility
improvements, family ministry, and worship service. In 1988 the congregation purchased the
adjacent Mary Clay Preschool property and opened its own childcare ministry under the direction
of Mrs. Mary Biggers. The purchase of this property marked a significant commitment to our
church’s future.

A strong youth ministry has become an important part of the church’s life. Music is a significant
part of the worship life at St. Paul. It centers on an exciting Senior Choir under the direction of
Mr. John Lehman, Jr., the church’s Musical Director and Organist since 1978. Rev. Glenn A.
Lucas served at St. Paul until 2001 when he accepted a call to serve the Pacific Southwest
District.

From 2001 to 2006 St. Paul has continued to share and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the
direction of the Deacon board, interim pastor the Rev. Dr. Richard D. Paul and vacancy pastor,
Rev. Gregory Seltz. Our congregation is honored to celebrate 81 years of committed service to
God.

On March 12, 2006 Rev. ST Williams, Jr. was installed as pastor of St. Paul congregation. Under
his leadership we will continue to build on our strengths and reach out to our community with the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. We continue to offer several forms of user-friendly worship, a blend of
traditional and cultural specific music and liturgy. Each Sunday we lift high the cross and
proclaim the love of Christ.

Our Church History