The church was founded in 1850 and began at the home of Mr. Klausmeier on Jerico Road.  The cornerstone was laid in 1850.  The early church provided services in the German language only.  English became the only language used in 1938.  The early church when founded, was known as the Franklinville[1] Congregation.  It was founded by German Immigrants in 1847.

In 1859, St. Paul’s first church was built and was very small, seating about thirty persons.  M.W. Sommers laid the cornerstone.  The location of the church was where the current cemetery and was enclosed by a wall and bordered by a cow field.  The building was later covered by stucco.  There is a report from years ago, by one of the elders that said one man, and expert carpenter, built the church.

After completion, the steeple was struck by lightning during a severe thunder storm…that same carpenter repaired the damage. 

The church contained a balcony over the front door for the organ and there were steps on  both sides of the pulpit with a sacristy immediately behind the pulpit.  The pews were made of solid boards nailed together with 10” wide seats, certainly not the most comfortable.  The church was heated with two wood burning stoves and the lighting was provided by oil lamps.  The early church had three windows on either side of the church, but no windows on the front or rear.  Above the pulpit was a large picture of Martin Luther.  The church had no bell and parishioners were called to worship by the pastor summoning them from the front door.

The congregation arrived on horseback, in buggies, market wagons and on foot.  There was a hitching post. The pastor’s horse was kept in the barn near the church. The pastor was kept In wood and food by the congregation and received a salary of $300 per year. 

The original church was built on a one acre lot donated by Mr. & Mrs. John Pillhoefer.  They are buried in the adjacent cemetery.

The church was built on a new site in 1912, with the Parish hall following in 1949.  The church was expanded in 1954 and the school, St. Paul's Lutheran School, which has an outstanding reputation was established in 1957 and expanded in 1980.  

An updated church was built in 2000.

[1] Sources:  History of St. Paul’s Evangelical Luther Church (Missouri Synod), 1850-2000, one hundred fifty years (Kingsville, MD.)

Baltimore Cemeteries-Vol.1 Baltimore County Historical Society

To see the Cemetery Transcriptions and Photos Click here!

Pastors:

Rev. J. Her 1893

Rev. G. Kuehn 1899

Rev. Nicholas Soergel 1905-1921

Rev. E. F. Schobohm

Rev. Paul Lessman 1944

Rev. S.A. Burk 1948

Sunpaper Articles for St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Kingsville

If you have any additional information about the church or the cemetery, please contact or send information to GermanMarylanders@gmail.com