Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Caledonia, Michigan) Records

On January 5, 1869, a small group of Lutherans organized Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, assisted by Rev. J.L. Daib, who served the congregation until 1871. Worship services were held in an abandoned log schoolhouse which had been purchased in 1867 and was used until 1977. The congregation joined the LCMS in 1871. The first church building was built and dedicated on November 27, 1877. A Christian Day School was established in 1878. The congregation was incorporated by the State of Michigan in 1900. 1902 marked the 25th Anniversary of the first church dedication. On April 27, 1923, property was purchased which was to serve as the Walther League Hall. It was completely destroyed by a fire on October 3 of the same year. Sunday School began, and the Parish Hall was built and dedicated in 1926. 1927 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the church dedication. The school was discontinued in 1928. German language services were discontinued in 1936. The year 1944 marked the 75th anniversary of the congregation. A choir was organized in 1946. Groundbreaking and cornerstone-laying for a new church building were held in 1953. The new building was dedicated in 1954. The congregation voted to build a new parsonage in 1960. In 1968, plans for the 100th anniversary were finalized, and plans for the bell tower were approved and construction was begun. Groundbreaking for a new building was held in 1988, and it was dedicated on June 11, 1989. The congregation celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1994.