History of the Church

 

Ninety three years ago, East Northport was a small rural

community.  To go to church on Sunday, the people used a

horse and buggy on unpaved roads.  However, the

Lutherans had no church unless they traveled to

Huntington Station.  A group of women wanted a place

to worship according to their beliefs and to have a social

life centered around the church.

 

On February 13, 1914, these women met at Mrs. Herman

Richter’s house to organize the Lutheran Ladies Aid

Society and to lay the foundation for a Lutheran Church

in East Northport.  The East Northport Firemen granted

permission for Lutheran services to be held in their hall

at the corner of Larkfield Road and Ninth Avenue.  The

first service was held on March 15, 1914.  The following

year, the House and Home Company deeded three lots

located on the northeast corner of Vernon Valley Road

and Bellecrest Drive to the congregation to be used for

religious purposes only.  On November 21, 1915, the

cornerstone of the basement was laid and was finished in

March 1916.  The basement was used for worship services,

 Sunday School and meetings.

 

By May of 1923, the upper story was added and the church completed.  By 1946, the Sunday School needed more space and a room was erected northward on the vacant lot next to the church.

 

After World War II, the congregation continued to grow.  Looking ahead into the future, the Youth Building foundation was laid on March 1, 1953.  The building was dedicated as a place “where the youth of the congregation may gather for social, recreational, as well as religious refreshment.”  It was a time to consider building a new church.  Property just east of the church was acquired and on March 8, 1959, the first worship service was held in the new church.

 

In 1963, a parsonage on Montauk Avenue for the assistant pastor was purchased.  The parsonage next to the church needed too many costly repairs and so it was torn down.  A new parsonage on spruce drive was purchased, and later sold, a the pastors purchased their own homes.

 

The Vernon Valley Inn, where Mueller’s Restaurant once stood, was purchased by the congregation.  In July 1969, the Inn became the Educational Building.  The Nursery School opened there in 1972 and the Day School opened in 1981.

 

The 1916 basement and the 1923 church were restored.  The old church became known as the Chapel and was rededicated in April 1986.

 

Our latest endeavor has been the addition to the narthex, accomplished by extending the room southward.  In our 93rd year, we are still growing.  The Lord has truly blessed us!

 

  -Maurine Failey

“As many of you as were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:28 (NRSV)

History and Mission Statement

Our Mission Statement

The mission of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School is to

· Gather in God’s Grace

· Grow in the Spirit through Word and Sacrament and,

· Share Christ’s love with All