The second Sunday of May 1898 (May 8), the men of the Ridgeway settlement met and at the close of that meeting the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was a reality.   The first Pastor was Reverend Theodore H. Henkel from Concordia Lutheran Seminary ( LCMS),   St. Louis, MO .  He was a minister and school teacher for the congregation.  Surnames included:   Saeman, Bender, Hanselmann, Hecht, Daeke, Dill, Holtzmann, Kilian, Henkel, Nagel, Desselberger, Ischer, and Horn.  Congregation has many descendants bearing these names even to this day.

In 1881 ads were placed in European newspapers advertising excellent farmland for sale in Warren County, NC.  Then in 1882, families arrived from Europe.  Pastor Neumann escorted them to NC.  Some came from Germany, some from Netherlands, and some from Alsace, Lorraine.  Later some came from  Wisconsin to settle here.

July 7, 1898 the voters approved building a church 42 feet long and 28 feet wide.  Oct. 23, 1898 the church building was dedicated.  Mr Otto Hecht was authorized to purchase a stove for the church for $9.00 and also to order a bell for the same cost.  At first German services and English services were held.  A rail for horses was approved not closer than 25 yards to the church.

Oct. 1900 resolution to build a school.  It opened Oct. 1, 1901.  Sept. 1, 1902 vote to build a pasrsonage 36 x 16 with central hall and kitchen on the rear of 16x16.  Oct. 26, 1903 cemetary land was purchased adjacent to the church property.  Lots were assigned by lots that were drawn by each  family.

For the history of the region refer to the book "Come With Me To Germantown," by Barbara  Sinn  Bumbalough, a descendent of an early family in the area.

Pictures of church building at St. Paul's Lutheran

Ridgeway, NC

Photo at dedication of new sanctuary July 12, 1953         

Visitors are always welcome