A Brief History of St. Paul’s Church

The origins of St Paul’s date back to 1863, when the first Episcopal services were held in Marshall County. The parish began life celebrating services in various places around town including Woodbury Hall and the First Presbyterian Church. In late 1867 a meeting was held to discuss organizing a parish, and the following year it became a reality as St Matthew’s Episcopal Church – the first services began in June, 1868. In 1870 the parish began conducting services in a former Lutheran church building (the first church building built in Marshalltown, purchased for $1,500).

Plans for a new church building were the highlight of 1871. The old chapel was sold to the Swedish Lutherans in the spring and the vestry of St Matthew’s parish began to circulate subscriptions for the purchase of a lot and the building of a church. The T-R reported on August 29th the laying of the cornerstone:

“The beautiful and impressive ceremony of laying the cornerstone of Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church was performed on Tuesday, August 29, at 10 o’clock a.m. by Rt. Rev. Bishop Lee, assisted by Rev. C.S. Percival (of Independence) and Rev. Samuel Edson of Cedar Rapids.

“The church site is on the south-east corner of South Main and First Street. (now Church St. and Second Avenue) The stone work is up to the first floor. The cornerstone was laid on the north-west corner.”

Over the last century plus fifty years our parish has seen its share of changes. During the Great Recession of the 1880’s the church building was lost to foreclosure and services were then held wherever possible. During this time the parish was rededicated as St Paul’s Episcopal Church, and while in 1887 the bank balance had dropped to $17.62, by 1903 they had recovered and felt strong enough to repurchase, enlarge and renovate this building, at that time owned by the Universalist Church. Since then it has been modified, expanded, severely damaged by storms, repaired and cherished.

Our church building has served our parish well in its capacity to inspire and uplift our spirit, and it is our hope that it will continue to do so by the grace of God for years to come.