January 3, 1893, is the date of the official chartering of this once St. Paul's Evangelical Church.
On August 2, 1894, the church women (the Frauen Verein) voted $284.36 toward the purchase of a church site at 1030 Grove Street, Downers Grove. Total cost was $300.00 and the cornerstone was laid October 18, 1908, with dedication February 4, 1909.
The parsonage lot on Grove Street was donated in 1913.
By the tenth anniversary, weekly services were conducted in English and German. This continued until the 1930's when attendance at German services dwindled to a few persons.
Permanent Pastors
Rev. A. Fleer
1892 - 1899
Rev. Gustave Pahl
1910 - 1917
First pastor to live in the parsonage.
Rev. Paul N. Crusius
1917 - 1919
During this period the congregation met often to make bandages during World War I effort.
Rev. William Grotefeld
1919 - 1928
Started many churches in the Chicago area; living in the parsonage until retirement; building a house by the church in which to live thereafter.
Rev. G.A. Neumann
1929 - 1937
Served until he retired, living in the Bensenville Home Society facility.
Rev. Daniel Schlinkmann
1937 - 1946
Served during World War II - a time when the church spent time and energy serving the war effort. Daughter Martha Schlinkmann became a missionary.
Rev. Walter W. Lauer
1946 - 1980
Served during the post war expansion and exodus to suburbia era. The property at 5739 Dunham road was dedicated January 20, 1957. The parsonage was built in 1963.
Rev. Roland T. Bizer
1980 - 2000
Arrived during the time of the influx of families with various religious and ethnic backgrounds, the suburban community supplanting the original German origins.
Rev. Philip Schairbaum
2001 - 2010
Arrived in October of 2001 and brought a special interest in Christian education and music.
Rev. Kirk Moore
2012 - 2022
Began serving in April, 2012. Rev. Moore brought energy and vision for the future of St. Paul's UCC, including introducing online ministry.