1950's      1960's      1980's      1990's      2000's      The 1950's 03-06-55 Meeting led by Mission Developer Elmer Wilbur Bock met in Melbourne Civic Center to discuss organizing a new congregation under the Guidance of the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America. 47 people were in attendance. This congregation was the original Lutheran or “mother church” in Brevard County. 11-13-55 First Service held at the Lion’s Club with 86 people in attendance. 1956 Church services were moved to Trailer Haven Recreation Hall and were held here until the new sanctuary was built. 03-25-56 Charter Day, for St. Paul as a congregation of the United Lutheran Church in America. Charter membership totalled 100 confirmed members. 06-03-56 Day of Organization. 06-03-56 The Rev. E. Wilbur Bock, Mission Developer, was called to be the first pastor. 1957 The congregation acquired a 2 ¼ acre lot on Hibiscus Blvd. and Mitchell St. as the location for the new sanctuary. 08-31-57 Rev. E. Wilbur Bock retired. 1957-58 5 month pastoral vacancy with various pastors supplying the pulpit. 1957-58 Congregation acquired the lot at 316 North St. and began building the parsonage after Rev. Bock retired. 02-01-58 Rev. John R. Knaul was called to become pastor. He had served three pastorates in the Central Pennsylvania Synod. 02-01-58 Pastor John R. Knaul was installed by Florida Synod President Royall A. Yount. 02-01-58 Much of 1959 was spent planning for a church building. Architect Victor A. Lundy from Sarasota was engaged to draw the plans for the church. Preliminary drawings were approved by the Council and by the Board of American Missions. 1960's          1980's          1990's          2000's          Return to Top The 1960's 01-30-60 Bids were opened and the building contract was awarded to Reed & Shine Construction Co. Inc. 03-06-60 Ground Breaking Ceremony was held and the Rev. W. Baxter Weant, Florida Synod Director of Missions was the invited speaker. 10-09-60 First service in the new church. Greetings from the Florida Synod were given by Mission Director Rev. Weant. The unique design with the centrally located Altar with people seated around as a Family of God received a favorable response. Future expansion was designed by merely increasing the diameter of the building. 03-25-61 Dedication of the Church to the glory and honor of Almighty God, and to the service of His holy Church. 1950's          1980's          1990's          2000's          Return to Top The 1980's 02-82 Pastor John R. Knaul submitted his letter of resignation to the church council following 24 years of service at St. Paul. He officially retired in June. 1982 First mortgage on the church building was paid off. 09-83 / 10-83 Renovations began at the church. A new table-type altar of white cultured marble was built by Helmut Guilhaus, (father of Linda Black and Susie Larson). The new altar platform was moved back and changed to a rectangular shape to accommodate the new altar, and a new railing was added. The interior church front wall renovation was completed in a Pinola stone and an opening for the pipe organ chamber. The stone was donated by Steve and Linda Black, and Pete and Susie Larson. New center aisle with blue carpeting extends from the altar to the doors. The entire floor was water-ground and sealed, partly to blend in the floor which was under the old altar. 1983 / 1984 Dr. Boozer purchased the rear church property (1.25 acres) The boundary between the properties would be a dividing swale of grass and shrubbery with no dividing wall (stipulation of Dr. Boozer). Closing on sale of the rear church property occurred, with member Lowell Swain as the realtor acting behalf of St. Paul. The existing 2 mortgages on the church and property were paid off in full. Mr. Swain donated his commission from the sale of the property to the church. 1984 / 1985 More changes, renovations, and remodeling were done to the Church. Joe Thimm of Reed & Shine was the architect, Constantino Construction performed the work. Church perimeter glass enclosure was replaced by stone and present acrylic stained glass windows. The Altar was moved from the center of the church to its present location in the front of the church, new narthex and wooden front doors were installed. 09-86 A new sign, plant base and lights (two fluorescents for the sign and a flood light aimed at the front of the church) were installed on the front of the property along Hibiscus Blvd. 05-87 St. Paul bought a pipe organ from a sister congregation in Tampa. Pastor Curtis would lead the effort to transport the organ to St. Paul, refurbish it and install it. The pipe organ was brought from Tampa to St. Paul by Pastor Curtis, Tony Misco, Greg Ellke, and Jimmy Peppers. 06-25-87 Discussion of adding a Parish Hall begins. Accommodations for 190 people or 1877 sq. ft. was considered. The cost was estimated at $180,000. 15,000 sq. ft. of asphalt parking area plus 6 classrooms were planned for the addition. 1950's          1960's          1990's          2000's          Return to Top The 1990's 09-23-90 Retained Ron Garmon, architect for Parish Hall; Ken Constantino, Contractor. Cost estimate for combined building and landsite development was $348,000. First Florida Bank approached for funding. 12-02-90 Ground Breaking ceremony was held for the new Parish Hall. The bank did not approve the loan, so construction never started. 1950's          1960's          1980's          2000's          Return to Top The 2000's 01-01 Pastor Curtis became ill and went on an extended medical leave of absence. Pastor Jeff Shaefer becomes supply pastor during Pastor Curtis's illness. 05-21-01 Pastor Don Reiter was installed as a part-time Interim Pastor for St. Paul during Pastor Curtis's continued illness. 11-23-02 A retirement celebration was held at the church for Pastor Delwin Mohr Curtis. 11-24-02 Pastor Delwin Mohr Curtis presided over his retirement service celebrated with the congregation of St. Paul. Pastor Curtis's son Krister served as his personal assistant and crucifer during the service. Pastor Curtis was bestowed the title of Pastor Emeritis by the Council and congregation of St. Paul for his many years of dedicated service to the church. 02-01-03 Pastor Don Reiter was elevated to full-time status and named Transitional Pastor of St. Paul. 1950's          1960's          1980's          1990's          Return to Top