1475 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT  06610

Who We Are

Our Vision for Ministry

Our vision for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is to be a church that:

• Preaches and practices the Gospel.

• Inspires with a relevant message and dynamic music.

• Builds relationships with families, children, and communities.

• Provides a sanctuary of prayer, hope, and peace of mind that only comes from God.

Our Mission Statement

"To share God’s word, love and presence."

Our Staff

Frank Martignetti, Director of  Music

Yotisse Williams, Church Council President

Adam Reed, Church Secretary

Our History

In 1893, a group of faithful men and women gathered together as an extended family to bear witness to Christ’s love and blessings in their lives.

St. Paul’s was organized on March 6, 1893 by German immigrants, who came to work at manufacturing jobs in and around Bridgeport.  The first members came from Germania, Schwaben Singing Societies and the Turner Gymnastic Group.

With Rev. James Witke as their spiritual leader, the community held their first worship services in the parish hall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Beach Street.  On November 7, 1893, a site on Harriet Street was purchased for a church.  The church building was dedicated on August 12, 1894.  Church membership consisted of 30 men and 41 women, with 70 children enrolled in Sunday School.  In 1908, the first parsonage was purchased, and in 1911 a separate Sunday School building was constructed on Hollister Street in Stratford.

For the first 29 years of the life of this church, the worship services were conducted in German.  It was not until 1923 that English services were introduced.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Conrad Reisch, whose ministry at St. Paul’s began in October, 1927, the current Noble Avenue site was purchased in May, 1948, and the first services were held in the new Parish Hall in March of 1950.  This would serve as both a worship and meeting place until the new church was completed.  For 29 years, Pastor Reisch ministered to this congregation; the longest tenure and greatest influence of the fifteen pastors who have served God in this place.

The stained glass windows were made in Germany, and the rose window above the altar was produced by the Franz Mayer Studio of Munich, Germany.  The first service in the new sanctuary was on Christmas Eve, 1953, and the building was formally dedicated on February 28, 1954.  This elegant, resonant structure continues to serve St. Paul’s today. 

Parishioners had hoped to move the pipe organ from the old church to the new church, but this proved impossible.  Finally, in 1980, through the efforts of many parishioners, the Organ Historical Society, and the Organ Clearinghouse, the church acquired an 1876 pipe organ built by the famous Boston builder E. & G. G. Hook and Hastings.   Opus 831 was lovingly restored by parishioners under the direction of the Andover Organ Company, and was dedicated on September 20, 1981.  This fine instrument continues to provide musical leadership for our worship today.

It is within the countless memories and stories, in gratitude and thanksgiving to God that we recall the many times that members of this congregation responded to God’s call to service.

It responded to service when the Child Development Center was created to provide a faith-based educational facility. 

It responded to service when Pastor DeWerth and Pastor Morales-Rosa were called to minister here.

It responded to service when the recovery community was made to feel at home in this place.

It responded to service when Gethsemani and Holy City Churches were welcomed to worship in this place.

It responded to God’s call to prayer when difficulties and challenges arose and struggles threatened to divide this church.

It has been in response to God’s call and mission that we are in this place.

Today, St. Paul’s continues to draw people from throughout the greater Bridgeport area – it is a welcoming, diverse, community where all are welcome.  Our German heritage continues to inspire us and shape our worship, joined by strong African-American and Hispanic influences.