St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 8, 1943. For the first five years, regular worship services were held at the Baytown Community Building made available by the Humble Oil and Refining Company. The Reverend J. A. Pietsch was called, installed in 1944 and served until 1949.
On June 13, 1948, the white colonial style church building, designed for the setting among the trees on a knoll located at 1904 West Main Street, was dedicated. The new church was known as "The Christmas Card Church" or "The Friendly Church in the Pines."
The congregation accepted from Zion Lutheran Church of Charlottenburg, near Hallettsville, a donation of a large tower bell. It had served that congregation, now extinct, for a period of 52 years. The bell was manufactured in 1896 by the Stuckstede Bell Foundry of St. Louis, MO.
In 1959, the Texas Highway Department announced plans for extending State Highway 201 to form a loop around Baytown. Unfortunately, the sanctuary was situated in the right of way for the new highway, so a new church location had to be found. After a two year search, the site committee voted to purchase a tract of land on Schilling Avenue. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on May 10, 1964, and the cornerstone was laid for the new church on August 2, 1964.
As the congregation planned the new church, the design included the original bell as a prominent part of the structure. St. Paul's, in its new setting was known as "The Friendly Church With the Bell." Because we live in an industrial area, some thought it fitting that the steeple be fabricated in white steel. The new nave sat 400 people, while the organ and choir were placed in the balcony. The symbolism on the windows on the south side of the church represent God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and the Heavenly Home. Those on the north side depict The Word of God, Holy Baptism, Holy Communion and the Christian Home. The architect was Otto Woestemeyer from Houston. The contractor was Moore and Moore of La Porte.
On June 13, 1948, the white colonial style church building, designed for the setting among the trees on a knoll located at 1904 West Main Street, was dedicated. The new church was known as "The Christmas Card Church" or "The Friendly Church in the Pines."
The congregation accepted from Zion Lutheran Church of Charlottenburg, near Hallettsville, a donation of a large tower bell. It had served that congregation, now extinct, for a period of 52 years. The bell was manufactured in 1896 by the Stuckstede Bell Foundry of St. Louis, MO.
In 1959, the Texas Highway Department announced plans for extending State Highway 201 to form a loop around Baytown. Unfortunately, the sanctuary was situated in the right of way for the new highway, so a new church location had to be found. After a two year search, the site committee voted to purchase a tract of land on Schilling Avenue. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on May 10, 1964, and the cornerstone was laid for the new church on August 2, 1964.
As the congregation planned the new church, the design included the original bell as a prominent part of the structure. St. Paul's, in its new setting was known as "The Friendly Church With the Bell." Because we live in an industrial area, some thought it fitting that the steeple be fabricated in white steel. The new nave sat 400 people, while the organ and choir were placed in the balcony. The symbolism on the windows on the south side of the church represent God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and the Heavenly Home. Those on the north side depict The Word of God, Holy Baptism, Holy Communion and the Christian Home. The architect was Otto Woestemeyer from Houston. The contractor was Moore and Moore of La Porte.
