A German Lutheran congregation began about 1876 with worship services conducted by the Rev. T. Frehner and Oscar Samuel in private homes and a schoolhouse. Formally organized as St. Paulus Kirche in 1877, it built a church on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. George Schlather. The congregation later organized affiliate churches in the nearby communities of Marion in 1890 and Zuehl in 1900. A new church building was erected in 1905, services were held exclusively in German until 1923, and a third sanctuary was completed in 1959.