~ Meet Pastor Chris Flohr~
New to St. Paul, Pastor Flohr joined as our Pastor in January 2023. With family in Virginia, he made the move from Montana to our quaint community of Strasburg to lead our community of worshipers. Please join us in getting to know and welcoming him and if you are looking for a place to worship, we hope that what you are seeking is found at St Paul.
As Lutherans, we believe that: “…God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17, The New Revised Standard Version [NRSV])
We also celebrate that God comes to us as a gift: “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God – not the results of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NRSV)
God’s wonderful gift raises the question, now that you do not have to do anything to earn God’s love, what are you going to do?
Our response is framed in our Mission Statement: “Claimed by grace to worship and serve God.”
Our Vision
To live out our baptism as God guides us to come and see, grow and share, and go
and tell the story of God’s love in Jesus our savior.
Our Logo
The Cross of Christ (God’s love for us) is placed in front of Signal Knob Mountain (our community) as seen through the Arch window of the church.
What to Expect
A friendly smile, handshake, or introduction will greet you shortly after you step into the doors at St. Paul Lutheran Church. We hope our friendly atmosphere makes you feel at home. Please introduce yourself to any of our church members and staff. We look forward to meeting you and worshiping together!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does Evangelical mean?
It is based on the Biblical term “Good News.” It reminds us that our primary task is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Do I have to stand up in front of people?
No, our visitors are not singled out or asked to stand. We hope you will sign our friendship register in the pew or guest register in the Narthex and introduce yourself to our greeters and pastor. We also offer a visitor’s cup as a gift which has information about our church.
Do you want my money?
No, visitors are welcome and not expected to give, you are our guest!
Do I have to dress up?
No, you will see some people in dresses and suits and others in jeans and t-shirts. All are welcome!
May I just come and see?
Of course, you are welcome to come to church to see what life is like in our community, and you are welcome to join us in any activities at any time. You may receive a contact from one of our members or staff to follow up after your visit to our church.
Will I know what to do during the church service?
Our service bulletin has information as to when we stand, sit, songs, and information on announcements and scripture passages. This is done to make worship with us as simple as possible. Our pastor also announces “what comes next” throughout the service.
If you other questions feel free to contact us at (540) 465-3232 or email us at stpaulstrasburg@gmail.com We would love to hear from you and will make every effort to respond right away.
A Brief History of St. Paul
No one knows for sure the true origins of St. Paul. A Moravian missionary passing through “the Chanador,” as the area around Strasburg was sometimes called in 1747, reported the existence of a “church,” which may the first reference to what later would become St. Paul Lutheran Church.
When the original church on Washington Street was built is unknown, but it was probably in the late 1760s. In 1768 the congregation bought the lot from Peter Stover, the founder of Strasburg, and the first church records date from 1769.
The log church was slightly west of the present sanctuary, near the parish house and faced Washington Street. It was 50 feet wide and 40 feet long with a balcony on three sides. Above the front door, in the gallery, was a pipe organ, said to have been built in Germany. Philip Eberly, who was born in 1822 reminisced in 1907 that the organ was a “monster, but it was not so sweet-toned as that of today.”
Originally, there was no heat as some members opposed the installation of stoves because they “were not bought with a view to obtaining comfort” but were “being prompted by pride.” The lack of heat made naps during long sermons less likely.
The condition of the old church deteriorated over time, and by 1840 members were complaining that it was “crumbling down” and “very inconvenient” for worship. A survey by the council showed that it was “more judicious” to erect a new church than to fix the old one. Money was raised and a new church which was dedicated on Nov. 10, 1844 “to the worship of the Triune God”. This was the first time the church was called “St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.”
During the Civil War the church suffered. The interior was gutted by Union troops and used as a hospital, arsenal, and stable. Eventually only a shell of the church building remained. The damage was so extensive that the Virginia Synod made annual donations to the Strasburg church for two years after the war. The church was eventually repaired and rededicated on May 12, 1867.
In the 1900s the church trustees sued the United States government for damages by the union army in the Court of Claims and won. That payment helped finance the renovation of 1902 when the bell tower was erected, and the north and south walls of the building were reworked in the neo-Gothic style that survives to this day.
Other changes followed, the most extensive being the major renovation in 1986 that reversed the sanctuary and added a narthex and balcony.
Staff
| Pastor | Rev. Chris Flohr |
| Council President | Debbie Winkfield |
| Music Director | Sue Correll |
| Secretary | Carol Smith |
| Financial Secretary / Sexton | Leslie Doman |
| Treasurer | Kevin Smith |
Contact us at (540) 465-3232 or email us at stpaulstrasburg@gmail.com