St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois is a community of Christians, which by God's grace, has responded to the Great Commission and Great Commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ for 155 Years.

The congregation was assembled by Reverend Heinrich Kopmann who came to Peoria in 1851 to minister to the Lutheran families from Ostfriesland, a northern province of Germany.

Pastor Kopmann held services in his residence, but after adopting the first constitution on December 1, 1853, the congregation held services in a schoolhouse at Main and Monroe Streets. The congregation was affiliated with the Northern Illinois Synod. Several months later the first church building was constructed at Fifth and Sanford Streets. The first parochial school building was built in 1855.

Four more pastors served the congregation at this location. In 1863 the building was moved to First and Goodwin Streets. In 1875 the congregation left the Northern Illinois Synod and later, joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and Other States.

Three more pastors served until Reverend Frederick Bodo Bess was called in 1877. Pastor Bess served at St. Paul for 51 years. He became influential in the community and wrote a history of the area entitled, Peoria. St. Paul established six other Lutheran congregations under his leadership. The five remaining congregations are St. Timothy in rural Wyoming, St. Peter in Emden, St. Peter in Glasford, Zion in Peoria and Trinity in Chenoa.

In 1883 the church building was renovated. It was replaced with a new building in 1888. This building was renovated in 1903 and again in 1917.

Recognizing the need to reach the broader community with the Gospel, the congregation called an English-speaking associate pastor in 1927. In 1928 Pastor Bess died, the associate pastor resigned, and Reverend Martin L. Bischoff accepted the call to become the pastor for 41 years, giving St. Paul the unique distinction of having only two pastors for ninety-two consecutive years in ministry.

In 1930, the congregation discontinued the parochial school. The brick building that had housed the school since 1898 was then used as a parish hall. In 1930 St. Paul became part of the American Lutheran Church (ALC), which resulted from the merger of the Iowa Synod, the Ohio Synod and the Buffalo Synod. Until early 1950, a German language worship service was conducted each Sunday immediately before the English language service. Occasional German language services were continued for several more years.

In 1960 the American Lutheran Church merged with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Free Church (1963) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church to form the American Lutheran Church. The same year, the congregation decided to relocate. In 1966 the current church and parsonage were dedicated. The beautiful 11.1 acres of land became the new location for church picnics and outdoor events. The bells donated in 1901, and the pipe organ, donated in 1917, were modernized for the new church and still serve today to glorify God with their music.

Four pastors have served the parish since Pastor Bischoff retired in 1969. In 1971 a part-time secretary position was added to the staff of pastor, organist and choir director. In 1976 the full-time position of "Parish Worker" was added, which later became the part-time position of "Director of Music". Kathy Post continues in that position currently. In 1979 an education wing, all-purpose room and kitchen were added, and the narthex and church offices were remodeled.

A Christian pre-school has served three and four year olds and their parents since 1984.

In 1988 St. Paul became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This new church body resulted from the merger of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.

In 1989 the congregation donated a red barn located on the property to the Peoria County Old Settlers' Association. The barn was restored to its original form as a pioneer log cabin for use as a "hands-on" pioneer site at W. H. Sommer Park in Peoria.

In 1990 a summer pre-school program for children with special needs was established and the full-time position of "Coordinator of Youth, Education and Lay Ministries" was added to the staff. Brian Coffey was the first person called to this position

Since 1990 the St. Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund Committee has managed an endowment fund, separate from the congregation's budget, to financially support community and congregational needs and to accomplish the general mission of the ELCA.

In August 1992 Reverend Charles E. Steinke of Sterling, Illinois was installed as pastor. In 1993 the congregation held a yearlong celebration in honor of its 140th Anniversary.

In 1995 the congregation started a second worship service, a contemporary worship service of celebration and praise music. Greg King is the Praise team music director.

Following the acceptance of a call to another congregation, Pastor Steinke resigned in 1995. Brian Coffey also resigned to pursue other interests. The congregation had a Pastoral vacancy for 1 and 1/2 years and was ably served by Rev. Daniel Mathes during the interim. The congregation called a new Pastor, Rev. Michael Borcherding. He was installed on January 5, 1997. In January 1998 Kristie Toniny was hired as Staff Lay Minister for ministry to families, youth and christian education. The congregation began a Midweek Ministry in fall of 1998.  In 2002 Kristie left St. Paul to become a full-time mother.  Blaine D'Acci was hired as Staff Lay Minister in 2002.

In 2003 the Congregation celebrated its 150th Anniversary with an outdoor Christian Concert featuring the Paul Colman Trio, a German-language Liturgical Service, and a Special Anniversary Celebration and Praise Service.  Beginning January 2004 Kim Mehan was hired as the Staff Lay Minister.  In 2005 Kim Mehan left to attend Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa to become an ordained Minister.  Kay Price, a long-time member and professional Storyteller became Director of Youth & Education Ministries.  In the autumn of 2008, Amie Hester was hired as the present Director of Youth and Education.  Pastor Mike Borcherding resigned in the fall of 2009.  We currently have a Pastoral vacancy and the Rev. Daniel Tuhy is serving as Interim Pastor.

The people of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois are proud of their rich heritage of ministry. They know that they have been called, enlightened and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they use their gifts to glorify God by furthering the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.