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, 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. & Mrs. Pollard. Pastor Theiss served this mission group for a period of three years. ​In the summer of 1925, 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 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.​ 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 an intentional focus on worship. Pastor Rehrer led the congregation in ministry until 1987, when he accepted a call to serve the Pacific Southwest District. ​

 

In 1988, 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, 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 on three areas- facility improvements, family ministry, and worship service. In 1998, 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 Dr. John McDavid 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 continued to share and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the direction of the Deacon Board, Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. Richard D. Paul, and Vacancy Pastor, Rev. Gregory Seltz. In March of 2005, Rev. Dr. S T Williams Jr. was installed during our 81st Church Anniversary as pastor. In September of 2024, Associate Pastor Jean-Enock Bérus was appointed as Sole Pastor of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.