About St.Paul

Mission and Vision

St. Paul is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Our beliefs are firmly grounded in the Word of God and the Bible-based teachings that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16^th century. These teachings can be summarized in three phrases:

Grace Alone

God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him, and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly. We have done nothing to earn His love and forgiveness.

Faith Alone

By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

Scripture Alone

The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine. For more information about the LCMS church, beliefs, and practices, please see https://www.lcms.org/belief-and-practice.

Worship

We gather as God’s people to worship Him and to receive His gifts of grace in His Word and Sacraments. Each of our services has a slightly different “feel.”

8:15 AM Sunday — This is a traditional Lutheran worship service with organ, beloved hymns, choir, and liturgy. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month.

11:00 AM Sunday — This is a traditional Lutheran worship service with organ, beloved hymns, choir, and liturgy. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. (Contemporary music led by our Praise Team within the traditional Lutheran liturgy COMING SOON)

Our History

On March 31, 1873, St. Paul Lutheran Church had its origins as a Lutheran orphanage situated at University Avenue and Main Street. The Reverend George Speckhard, installed in August of the same year, served as the superintendent of the orphanage, pastor of the church, and instructor for deaf children. The congregation, recognized as Oakland County’s first Lutheran church, separated from the orphanage and school, which relocated to Detroit in 1875. Operating out of a former Baptist church, the congregation purchased the current property in 1886, constructing a wooden chapel with members actively participating in the construction process.

The day school, established in 1916 with eleven students, marked a significant development. In 1918, a new brick church building replaced the original wooden chapel, laying the cornerstone on August 17, 1917. The St. Paul Lutheran congregation dedicated the present-day church on January 22, 1973. Its design, resembling “an ancient ark plowing through water,” replaced the 1917 church that once stood as the tallest building in Royal Oak. The former church, dedicated on January 20, 1918, had services primarily in German, with gender-segregated seating and Holy Communion.

The 1951 school building, featuring four classrooms, a library, an office, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria, was designed by Frederick Mason. An extra wing was completed in 1959, further expanding the church’s educational facilities.

In 2023, St. Paul Lutheran Church celebrated its 150th Anniversary.

What Our Church Members Are Saying

“The friendly atmosphere and many activities have made us feel right at home in church”
New church member
“St Paul is an excellent school that provides quality Christian education, small class sizes, and individualized attention. Students at St Paul do not only excel academically, but also become more confident in their leadership skills through extracurricular activities and grow spiritually through daily prayer, devotions, and Chapel services on Wednesday!”
St. Paul Parent