First Congregational United Church of Christ

The Church was organized on November 24, 1866 by the Rev. Arron Rowe, who was a chaplain in the Civil War. At the close of the war he came to Corpus Christi, Texas and found the people in desperate need of a place to worship.  Services were held in a home until a Church was erected on North Broadway, near the present Greyhound bus terminal.  For years the Church’s steeple was a guide to Mariners entering the port of Corpus Christi, and after many years of service in that location, the Manse was moved to 909 Waco Street.  In 1967 the new building was dedicated at 2927 Noakes.  First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) is said to be oldest Negro Christian Church in Texas.  The First Congregational UCC helped to formulate the Lay Life and Work, the South Texas Association and the South Central Conference.   

During its 96^th Anniversary (1962) the Congregation was going through the Ecumenical steps with the Evangelical and Reformed Brothers to formulate a United Church of Christ.  The United Church of Christ is a free and responsible Church, and a church of the people.  UCC was officially formed June 25, 1957, from the Evangelical and Reformed and Congregational Christian.  The roots of both are deep in the life of America and in the Reformation Movement in Europe.    Congregationalism in America came from the founding in the 1620’s of Plymouth by the Puritans.  Congregationalists were joined by the Methodist in 1892, Evangelical Protestants in 1923, and German Congregationalist in 1925. 

The last pastor was Rev. Williams of the First Congregational Church.  The church folded and many of the members joined St. Paul at that time.  The bell from that church now sits on the lawn at the entrance to St. Paul UCC.

St. Paul UCC has a very long history in the Coastal Bend and Corpus Christi.  Over the years the church has changed it name several times.  In June, 1895 the Rev. C. Knicker came to Corpus Christi to investigate conditions for organizing a German Mission.  No Response on the part of the community was noted in his writings.  On September 4, 1911, the Rev. C. Knicker made another visit to Corpus Christi and found conditions more favorable for founding the mission.  The name of the first church was Die Deutsche Evangelische Trinitatis Gemeinde (Evangelical Trinity Congregation) on November 19, 1911.  The first pastor was Rev. Robert Hinze and the congregation met at 1302 Mestina St.  On September 22, 1912, the church began meeting at the Presbyterian Church.  The Congregation rented a house for a parsonage on Ave. A.  The last six months of 1912 showed a congregational income of $9.46.

 St. Paul Church of Christ

On July 25, 1915 the first service by Rev. John Biegeleisen was held at the place called “Central Wharf” (a dance pavilion on the water front). There were six people present and the offering was exactly $1.00.  In September, 1915 services were held at 923 Laredo St.; which also served a the Church Parsonage.  In 1916, the church changed its name to First Evangelical Church.  March of that year, a lot on the corner of Craig and Chamberlain St. was purchased for $500 for the church site. (South Alameda). In September 1918 services were disbanded because the German language was not allowed to be used.  There were the days of World War I. 

In 1919, meetings were held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and then in First Christian Church.  In 1920 the church changed its name again to United Evangelical Church.  January of 1920 a contract was signed for purchase of two lots and a house on the corner of Laredo Ave. and King St. for $2,800 and again plans were made to build a church.  The church was still meeting at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in February, 1921 with services being held in both German and English languages. In October, 1921 construction of our first church building was started on the corner of Laredo and King.  The corner lot on Craig and Chamberlain was given to a lumber company for building materials. 

In December of that year Dedication Services for the new United Evangelical Church were held with Pastors Strauss and Biegeleisen conducting.  The cost of the building was $2,500.  In October, 1931 it was decided to hold all services in English.  In the past the church depended on the church property as a source of income to support the church along with generous aid of the Home Missions Board of the Evangelical Synod.  In 1938 a contract was let for $2,788.75 for the Sunday Church School.  The annex measured 30’ x 40’, 3 classrooms, stage, kitchen and restrooms.  In January 1939 money was raised to pay for the building and special afternoon services in German were discontinued due to the European hostilities. 

In March 1942, the rent property on Topo St. was sold and proceeds were to be used for relocation.  From August to November 1945, the church voted to buy the property on Texas Ave. and S. Alameda and requested $2,900 from the Board of National Missions to purchase the site.  It was also suggested that the church change the name of the congregation to a more Biblical nature.  It was voted to sell the church property on Laredo Ave. for $17,000 cash.  It was requested of the Spanish Mormon Group permission to keep the cornerstone of the Sunday School Building. (This is now in the Narthex of our current location on Lipes Blvd.) The Biblical name chosen by the congregation was St. Paul and the name of the church was changed to St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church. 

Ground was finally broken in September, 1950 for the new Sanctuary and the red granite cornerstone was laid in December, 1950.  The Fellowship Hall was dedicated in June, 1954 and in January 1959 the new Educational Wing was dedicated.  By the end of 1959 the glass windows in the church were dedicated.  The interpretation of the fourteen window symbols tells the Bible Story from the Creation to the Incarnation and Resurrection.  The Sanctuary was paid off in 1960.   

In 1964, the church again changed its name to St. Paul United Church of Christ.  In June 1988, arson’s fire destroyed the church sanctuary at 502 Texan Trail.  For a short while the church met at the First Christian Church but returned to Texan Trail to begin worship in the Fellowship Hall.  Additionally, in 1988 the church became a renewal church with a new vision and relocate.  In 1989, Rev. David Pantermuehl became pastor at St. Paul and the property at 502 Texan Trail was sold to Whataburger. 

In 1990 worship began in Bill Spencer’s Piano & Organ store; later moving the worship services to 5420 Everhart in Stonegate Center.  In 1990, 3.2 acres were purchased at 5525 Lipes Blvd. for $215,000.  In 1991 groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Lipes location.  During that time services were being held at the Luther Jones Elementary School and St. Paul celebrated its 80^th Anniversary. 

The church was built so that almost every piece of stained glass from the old facility could be incorporated into the new building. The first services were held at the new location on November 17, 1991.  David Pantermuehl was installed and the new church was dedicated on February 23, 1992.  In October 1998, St. Paul congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming church.  About half of the membership left due to the vote.  After 10 years of service to St. Paul; Rev. Pantermuehl left St. Paul in 2002.

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