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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Dedicates
New Addition
11/7/2008
By Mary Fox
and Gerlind Dubey

Many of St. Paul’s present families date back to its beginnings over 100 years ago when German Lutherans settling in this area began worshiping together in their homes. In 1924 St. Paul’s first organized church, with a congregation of 24 members was on the corner of Elizabeth and Mechanic Street. The present building on Rt. 219 was dedicated in 1965 and has faithfully fulfilled the needs of its congregation until recent years when growth in membership indicated a need to add more space.

It was more than ten years ago that a Vision Committee was formed by members St. Paul’s, their mission was to research and respond to the continuing growth of the congregation.

Years of planning to expand St. Paul’s Lutheran Church came to fruition on All Saints Sunday, November 2,2008; a day when the Church remembers all people from the past who have faithfully served others and given life and growth to Christianity.

The special Service of Dedication unveiled the new Worship and office addition to its congregation and guests. The simple and beautiful lines of the chancel furnishings were hand crafted by a local artist and a member of St. Paul’s. The altar, lectern and baptismal font are made of wood thought to be at least 500 years old’ grown during the “little ice age” and of the same era as the famed Stradivarius instruments. The spiritual focal point at the back of the altar immediately catches ones eye; artistically balanced rocks form a mountain from which emerges an unembellished wooden cross made of beautiful old barn beams.

The move from the worship area in the old building into the new worship area marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville. The service started with worship items from the 1965 building were carried into the new house of prayer for their continued use in Word and Sacrament ministry. Throughout the service guest clergy gave enlightening messages of the day in honor of the dedication including The Reverend Gerard leFeber, Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Allegany, New York, The Reverend Allison Leitzel Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown, New York, The Reverend Neil Kattermann, retired Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, Arcade New York and The Reverend Paul Mertzlufft, Pastor Emeritus of All Saints Lutheran Church, Hamburg New York and an assisting minister at St. Paul’s. .

Also in attendance was Father Ron from the Holy Name of Mary Catholic church in Ellicottville and representative of the Missouri Synod.

Two worship services were held that day. One at 10:30 am, the regular Sunday worship time, which was the last worship service celebrated in the present building. During this final worship service thanksgiving was offered for the present structure and for those who labored with love years ago and through the years to build and maintain St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. At the end of the morning service the worship elements to be used in the new building were car­ried in procession to the narthex where they were placed until the 3:30 Dedication.

The present worship area will be remodeled into a Fellowship/Community Hall with Sunday School Classrooms in the lower level.

Immediately after The Dedication Service a reception was held to greet honored guests, members of the congregation and members of the community who wished to attend.
Many thanks go to the men and women from Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Ellicottville who generously offered their time to help serve at the reception thereby freeing up members of the congregation to attend the Dedication Service.
With the new addition come new opportunities for learning about and sharing the love of Jesus.

All are welcome to worship at St. Paul’s and be a part of their fellowship.