Founded by Pioneers, Sustained by Generations
St. Paul Lutheran Church has stood at 215 North Main Street in Zelienople, Pennsylvania since the earliest days of the town itself. Organized on September 12, 1821 by a small group of settlers meeting in the home of George Henry Mueller at "Benvenue," the congregation is one of the oldest Lutheran parishes in Western Pennsylvania, with roots in the same German immigration that founded the borough. Today about sixty families make up the parish, and the church continues to serve the community from the same block of land given for that purpose nearly two hundred years ago.
A Building of Stone and Glass
The cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1826. Philippe Louis Passavant and his wife Zelie, daughter of Zelienople's founder Dettmar Basse, donated the land: one acre for the church and four adjoining acres for the cemetery, both of which remain in use today. The Passavants also gave much of the stone and labor for the building. The original structure measured only forty-six feet in length and is said to be one of the first Gothic churches in Western Pennsylvania. He went on to become the first Episcopal Bishop of Vermont after marrying into the Mueller family, one of the church's most prominent early families.
In 1913 the sanctuary was enlarged and a bell tower was added to the north end, while the exterior of the original portion was carefully preserved. Henry Buhl Jr., whose family played an instrumental role in the congregation, donated the stained glass Martin Luther window as well as an aisle window in memory of his grandfather Christian Buhl. Buhl went on to found the Buhl Planetarium and the Buhl Foundation in Pittsburgh.
The Passavant name is woven deeply into the building and beyond. William Alfred Passavant, the youngest son of Philippe and Zelie, was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul and went on to become a renowned Lutheran pastor. He founded more than forty hospitals and institutions across the United States and is regarded as one of the greatest institutional leaders the Lutheran Church has produced in this country. A plaque in his memory stands in the front of the church.
The church parsonage was built in 1858 and received north and south wings in 1907. The educational building, now known as Strobel Hall, was erected in 1960. The Cemetery Association was formed in September 1910 to care for the four acres that have accompanied the church from its earliest days.
Sunday Worship at Nine
The congregation gathers each Sunday at 9:00 AM for a traditional Lutheran service that typically runs about an hour. Communion is celebrated every Sunday. The parish is currently served by Rev. Erin Evans in the role of Intentional Interim Pastor. Worship is supported by the Music and Choir groups of the congregation, and a Church Council guides the life of the parish. The church's mission statement places Christ as its foundation and Holy Scripture as its guide, calling members to give thanks and praise through worship, special services, and study groups, and to love, grow in faith, and serve one another and the wider community.
The Zelienople-Harmony Lutheran Ministry
Since 2019, St. Paul has shared ministry with Zion Lutheran Church in nearby Harmony as part of the Zelienople-Harmony Lutheran Ministry (ZHLM). Zion, located at 557 Perry Highway in Harmony, joins St. Paul in a single combined ministry, and the two congregations publish a shared newsletter and calendar. Together they collaborate on programs and events throughout the year, and visitors to St. Paul will often find their activities and announcements listed side by side with those of their partner church.
Children, Youth, and Family Life
St. Paul welcomes families with a number of programs aimed at its younger members. Sunday school is offered for the little ones, and a Youth Worship is designed for the pre-teen age group. Each summer the congregation hosts Vacation Bible School for children ages three through ten. The Willing Workers organize many of the hands-on efforts that support these programs, and members are encouraged to find the niche that fits them best, whether teaching, leading music, or simply attending worship.
Reaching the Borough
Members and friends of St. Paul are active in the wider life of Zelienople. The church operates a Food Cupboard for neighbors facing food insecurity. Every year the parish takes part in Horse Trading Days, the community's signature summertime event, and hosts a rummage sale that has become a tradition of its own. The Membership and Publicity Committee, the Music and Choir groups, and the Willing Workers each offer ways to pitch in. As the parish notes, members can become as active in the life of the church as they wish, or they can simply come and worship.
Planning a Visit
Sunday worship begins at 9:00 AM at 215 North Main Street in Zelienople. Visitors are welcomed with open arms and can expect a traditional Lutheran liturgy with communion each week. The church office is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to noon and on Fridays from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. The main phone line is 724-452-8832, and the office can be reached by email. Those wishing to support the parish can give online through the GivePlus platform linked from the church's site, and contributions of time and in-kind donations are equally welcome through the Willing Workers.