The Church
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, founded in 1855, has a rich and storied history. The church is easily recognized by its location at the “top of the hill” on the main route through Dillsburg. Three larger-than-life stained glass windows, along with many single stained glass windows, give the building its character and charm.
Two of those windows are lighted each evening to give witness to the Dillsburg Community of the vibrancy of St. Paul’s. However, the real personality of the church is shaped by the people who gather for worship, Christian Education, outreach projects, and other ministries that serve in the name of Jesus Christ.
The years of history form the foundation of the church. The first 36 years were marked by searches for a new pastor. On June 18, 1913, the most destructive fire in the history of the community consumed eight buildings, including the church and the parsonage. The congregation met this challenge with determination and voted to build on the present site, which was a lot purchased in April 1909. The present church was dedicated on Sunday, September 13, 1914, fifteen months after the fire.
In preparation for the 100th year celebration, the Chancel and Choir areas were renovated in February 2014. In August 2014, Chuck Rhodes from Channel abc27’s “Let’s Go Places” visited St. Paul’s and did a story about the renovation and 100th Anniversary.
Pipe Organ
Historical account researched by Roy N. Cramer and published with permission in the “St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dillsburg History of 150 years of ministry” (1855-2004) from the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society, Inc., publishers of History of Dillsburg, PA 1901-1950. From Hitching Post to Drive-In Theater by Robert F. Gayman 2001.
In the early stages of World War II, sometime in 1941, the Moeller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland built a pipe organ for a small European church and took it to the docks in New York City with the intention of shipping it to their customer abroad. It was a difficult and risky business at this time to ship overseas because of the Lend Lease program with England and France, so the pipe organ sat on the docks in New York City.
G. Kenneth Cocklin, a Dillsburg merchant and undertaker, had a friend who knew about the dilemma of this pipe organ sitting on the docks, unable to be shipped. He asked Ken if the congregation of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dillsburg might be interested in purchasing the organ, as the church was in the process of remodeling and redecorating at this time. Ken presented the offer to the Church Council at St. Paul’s, and after some deliberation, they decided to buy it.
The pipe organ was shipped to Dillsburg from New York City. It really fit in nicely with the newly remodeled church as the console had a chestnut wood cabinet, which matched the wood trim of the sanctuary. The Moeller Organ Company installed the instrument and it remains a good pipe organ to this day.
Who We Are
Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483 – 1546), a German theologian who challenged the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church at that time. His questions and arguments escalated into a separation from the Roman Catholic Church. Lutheran became the name associated with those who agreed with Luther’s convictions.
Our worship community gathers to confess our sins and to receive God’s grace in the forgiveness of sin, to hear the Word of God and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We are sent to share the good news of Christ and to serve others in His name.
All baptized persons are welcome to receive the gifts of Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine at the Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist). We believe that Christ is present, in, under and through the blessed elements of bread and wine. Those who are not baptized are encouraged to come forward to receive a blessing and, to explore the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with the pastor.
Confession of Faith
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, that is, God took on our nature and lived on earth in the person of Jesus, God’s only Son.
Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God makes a new creation. We accept the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith and life.
We profess our faith in the words of the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. We accept the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the Gospel. We also accept the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord.
We confess the Gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran confessional writings, as the power of God to create and sustain the Church for God’s mission in the world.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Regardless of age, race, or status in life, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America welcome you to join this community of faith. If you’re unfamiliar with our church, some of what you learn may surprise you.
The ELCA is an engaged, active body of people who put faith in God into action — in millions of ways, all over the world. Join us!
Continue to learn more about what we believe as part of the ELCA here.