Throughout its 150 years history, St. Paul's has kept faith with the city of Lancaster, changing location on a few occasions, but remaining always within a one mile radius of the area that is today the heart of downtown Lancaster.

The earliest records indicate that St. Paul's started as an outreach Sabbath School of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church in October, 1849, and was located on German Street (now Farnum Street east of South Queen Street.

With the sale of the Chapel on German Street in early 1855, temporary quarters were found in the Trinity Lutheran Church's school room on Duke Street. Thereafter, a building was erected for the congregation's worship. The "Plank Church" as this structure came to be called, was located on South Queen Street. The South Queen Street location was home for St. Paul's for another sixty years, as the members worshiped in their building which was dedicated on December 20, 1860.

The ground breaking for the present church took place on December 2, 1913. The building was designed by C. Emlen Urban, a local architect who drew the plans of many notable late 19th and early 20th century buildings in Lancaster. In its exterior as well as its interior design, it is an architectural showpiece.

Our Vision
At the juncture of the celebration of one hundred and fifty years of witness in the city, and the start of its' 151st year in ministry, it is evident that new realities present St. Paul's with new and exciting challenges. Like most of Lancaster city, the South east quadrant of the city has witnessed a remarkable growth of the Latino community. Enrolment statistics show that the neighborhood schools have a predominantly Latino population. Furthermore, home ownership in the Latino community has also increased. Additionally, though much of the Afro-American constituency has gravitated towards Baptist and Pentecostal churches, there is a growing community of persons from Ghana, Uganda, the Caribbean and elsewhere scattered in our neighborhood, many of whom have no church affiliation. The challenge before us is to know Christ and make him known in what is now a truly multi-cultural environment. Our vision is that of a church embracing diversity in worship, study, and cultural traditions but celebrating unity in Christ in service and witness.

Our Mission Statement
To Know Christ And Make Him Known