Church Directory Newspaper Section, circa 1960,                                                                                 Source unknown                           St. Paul's Lutheran Church,           Melbourne's church-in-the-round   The Rev. John R. Knaul has been pastor of Melbourne's church-in- the-round since it was built.   St. Paul's Lutheran Church actually was organized in 1956, two years before the unique edifice was constructed at West Hibiscus Boulevard and Mitchell Street. The Rev. Mr. Knaul came to the church on Jan. 31, 1958 from Pennsylvania.   The Rev. Mr. Knaul is a graduate of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., and the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa.   Thirty years as a minister, he had three parishes in Pennsylvania before arriving to lead the congregation of St. Paul's, one of Florida's most unusually constructed churches. It was designed by Victor Lundy, a well known architect of churches and homes.   The church is built in a circle around the central altar. Heavy wooden beams flare upward over the altar, 42 feet high, forming the core of a steeple of glass rays of light illuminating the worshipers below.   "The altar symbolizing the Presence of God is in the center," the Rev. Mr. Knaul explains. "We sit around the Altar as a Family of God."   The sactuary forms a circle around the altar. To the outside are classrooms, offices, kitchen and other rooms. Glass encloses the church all around.   Visitors have come from as far away as Switzerland and New Zealand to observe the structure of the church and study the architectural design. But most visitors to the church are from Port-O-Call, a mobile home site at the Melbourne airport.   Lutherans always emphasize the power of the Word of God. The Rev. Mr. Knaul looks at his role as fitting a changeless Word of God into a changing world.   "The message is eternal," he says, "but the ways and means of applying it constantly change."   Worship services are at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by Sunday School at 10:30.   Starting Sunday, June 11, there will be Fellowship Coffee Hour following church service for the congregation to gather socially.   The Knauls are a versatile pair. While in Pennsylvania, Rev. Knaul taught and was acting principal of a small high school. Mrs. Knaul teaches in Sunday School and has confirmation class at St. Paul's. She's a member of the Lutheran Church Women. The Knaul's have three children, two daughters and a son, all living away from home. This article is presented in its original form with the exception of the correction of typographical errors.   Return To History Main Page