A BRIEF HISTORY

St. Paul's United Church of Christ has been an active congregation in Sidney, Ohio since 1868. The church was rooted in the Evangelical and Reformed tradition and the original members were German speaking people. Until the l930's all of the worship services were in German. The first worship service was held in a frame building at the corner of Lane and Miami streets in downtown Sidney. The congregation remained there until 1886. There were two men who are credited for keeping the church together in the early years. They are Charles Timeus and A.R. Freedman.

For a brief period the congregation met in the Odd Fellow's Hall in the Shelby County Courthouse. In l887 the engine house on Water Street was purchased and remodeled into a church. The congregation met there through September, l908. On September 27, 1908 the congregation dedicated it's new building at the corner of S. Main and South Streets under the leadership of Rev. Theodore P. Frohne who served as pastor from l904-l9l0. The church was constructed for a total cost of $20,000. Half of the funds of the new pipe organ were donated by Andrew Carnegie.

The church grew under the leadership of Rev. Reinhold Wobus, better known as "Pappy." He served St. Paul's from l910-l947. In l936 the church established a special fund to build the present facility which is now located on 707 N. Ohio Avenue. In January, l95l, during the annual meeting, the congregation adopted the report of the planning board to build the new church. The total cost of the building was $250,000. Ohio Avenue is the old "Dixie" highway, now known as route 25A. The present facility was completed in 1955 and was dedicated on April 24th, 1955. The minister who helped make the transition from S.Main to N. Ohio was Rev. George Sonneborn, pastor of the church from l95l-l960.

St. Paul's Church is a vibrant and alive community church that offers a variety of programs for all ages. It has strong denominational ties and strives to uphold the beliefs and ministries of the United Church of Christ. The church is known in the Shelby County area as "The Church on the Hill". In late l99l, under the leadership of Dr. Keith Wagner, the church began a radio program that is aired on Sunday mornings at WMVR, Sidney. It has also expanded the parking area with the purchase of the adjacent propety on West Avenue. St. Paul's currently has 420 members and is the most Northern church is the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association.

Although the church has German roots the modern day membership has changed. There are still a few families who are related to the founding members, however many have come from other faith backgrounds. St. Paul's has successfully blended it's German heritage with modern times. It is a diverse congregation with a mix of people of all ages. There is a high degree of tolerance for people who are different. Visitors find a warm and congenial spirit. The congregation believes they are a credible voice in the community, one that encourages wholeness, openness, education and fellowship. They are dedicated to quality and ministry to one another, the community and to the world.

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