St. Paul's congregation came into being through the soliciations of Reuben Kretchman and David Hay, they invited Rev. A. B. Koplin, who was then pastor of the Paradise Charge, to conduct services in the D. Hay School House. Later services were moved to the New Union Mennonite Church in St. Paul, located where Roy Sipple operated a store. In this building on October 26 and 27, 1860 the congregation was organized. Reuben Kretchman and Benjamin Wilhelm were elected, ordained and installed as elders, David Hay, Peter Wilhelm and Simon Phillippi were deacons. On Sunday, October 28, all 29 members were present for the first communion service.
In the spring of 1868, work began on the foundation of what is now St. Paul's Wilhelm Church. In June of that year the corner stone was laid. In October of 1869 the building was dedicated. When the building was near completion someone suggested that a pipe organ would be a desirable addition to the equipment. The pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $900, the first in Somerset County. The pipe organ still has its place on the balcony of the church.
The Altar, Pulpit and Lectern were purchased about 1906 and are still in use. In 1925 excavation for the basement was started. The basement consists of a kitchen, Sunday School class rooms and two bathrooms. The furnace room is attached at the rear of the main basement with its own entrance.
At first the church was known as the Paradise Charge, which included St. Paul and Salisbury until 1893. Then St. Paul and St. John's Grantsville of Grantsville, MD became a charge in 1893 and remained together until 1969. In 1969 St. Paul's (Wilhelm) merged with Amity of Meyersdale. On October 23, 2005 the members of St. Paul's (Wilhelm) United Church of Christ voted on the same sex marriage issue that is approved by the UCC. The membership vote was 48 to 17 to leave the UCC thus ending over thirty years as a parish with Amity.
Throughout the years the name of the church has changed. First from St. Paul's Reformed to St. Pauls (Wilhelm) Reformed Church to St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church, to St. Paul's (Wilhelm) United Church of Christ. The name changes came about because of merges within the Synod which is now known as Penn West Conference. After voting to leave the UCC the name has again changed to St. Paul's Wilhelm Church, a church that is now independent.
Cats Meows are available, these are a limited edition. Price is $25.00 includes shipping. Send check or money order to address on contact page.
Church history book covering the years 1921 to 2000. This is a soft cover book. Price is $40.00 includes shipping. Send check or money order to address on contact page or for more information you may email us at webmaster@stpaulswilhelmchurch.org.
