We hope you like our new logo, designed by graphic artist Kathryn Brewer of St. Paul, Minnesota. You will be seeing it frequently in the coming months. (Note: Kathryn is also the daughter of Richard Hillert, composer of ELW Setting 3.)
We’ll begin the celebration with a Hymn Festival on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 4 PM featuring organist Andrew Senn, which also celebrates our newly refurbished instrument as part of our Chancel Reimagined project. A reception will follow the joyful singing. This will be a wonderful opportunity to experience our anniversary theme brought to life through scripture, song, and sacred readings – and of course another chance to enjoy our beautifully refurbished organ! Invite family and friends and plan to stay for a celebratory reception. Questions? Talk to Rae Ann.
The planning team is also working with local muralist and mosaic artist Jessica Liddell on an idea for a mosaic inside our building which will convey central aspects of our theme. Jessica attended our September 8 meeting, as did Joe Stevens, our lead architect for Project Welcome, who helped advise on possible location and mounting of the mosaic. The hope is that St. Paul members of all ages will be invited to place pieces of glass or ceramic so that, when the mosaic is completed and mounted, we can each remember how we participated in this larger expression of being community together. Jessica is currently developing ideas for what this might look like, which the planning team will consider at our next meeting. Visions? Talk to Ashley.
Possibilities for outreach projects connected to our theme, which Glenn is working on, include an oral history project in which members of all ages would respond to specific questions about their experiences at St. Paul’s; serving dinners at Hope Lodge (the American Cancer Society residence); and the development of a free community meal here once or twice a year. Ideas? Talk to Glenn or Jenn.
For the concluding event on Sunday, November 14, 2027, Henrik has secured a commitment from Rev. Karl Krueger to preach. As former director of the Krauth Memorial Library at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Rev. Krueger may also be willing to use his gifts as librarian and church historian to help assemble a comprehensive history of St. Paul’s. Paul Ziegler is in possession of extensive documents relating to our church history. Thoughts on how to share? Talk to Paul.
More ideas for us? Want to get involved? Talk to Henrik or Nancy.
“For great is God’s steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 117:2)
A Note on St. Paul’s History
St. Paul’s owes it start to the Rev. Silas D. Daugherty, the Missionary Superintendent of the Eastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod. He had great interest in starting new churches and saw the growing Glenside community as fertile ground for a new church. In 1902, he made a survey of the Glenside area, and his report was favorably received by the Board of Home Missions of the General Synod. Interested local residents were contacted and St. Paul’s was organized with 17 charter members and 15 associate members. The first service for St. Paul’s was held on November 9, 1902, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Morris W. Wolff on Montier Road, Glenside.
