St. Pauls United Church of Christ has stood at N89W16856 Appleton Avenue in the village of Menomonee Falls since the winter of 1868, when German settlers founded the congregation. Today the motto reads, "Practicing exuberant hospitality in the name of Jesus Christ," and that welcome extends to anyone who walks in on a Sunday morning, watches online, or joins one of the many small groups that meet through the week.
Sunday Worship at 9:30
Sunday worship begins at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary, in person and via livestream on Facebook and YouTube. The service typically runs about an hour, with the order printed in a bulletin handed out by greeters beforehand. The sanctuary itself is described by the congregation as a beautiful and serene space with rows of wooden pews facing a lovingly decorated altar, and it hosts not only weekly services but weddings, baptisms, and community events.
After worship, a Fellowship Hour runs from 10:30 to 11:30 AM in Guild Hall. Members and visitors gather around tables to share conversation and refreshments, and many Sundays also feature the Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting in the same window of time.
Open Communion, Open Doors
St. Pauls is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ, and the church's statement of belief outlines the UCC's hallmarks: a triune God, the inherent value of each person, the call to serve and to be stewards of the earth, and a commitment to welcome regardless of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class, or creed. "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here," reads the home page.
Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month at the morning service. The table is an Open Communion table, and all people of faith are invited to join in the sacrament. Both gluten and gluten-free bread are offered, along with both wine and grape juice, so anyone who wishes to partake can do so. Baptism is typically practiced with infants but is open to anyone who has not yet been baptized, and baptisms are performed during worship so the whole community can make its promise of love, support, and care.
Coming for the First Time
A first-time visitor will find greeters waiting with bulletins and answers. The dress code is whatever a person feels comfortable wearing; on any given Sunday one might see running shoes and heels, jeans and suits, open collars or ties. Visitors are not asked to stand up and introduce themselves, and the only expectation is that they be themselves.
Giving is also entirely optional for visitors. Members support the church through cash and check envelopes collected on Sunday mornings, automated giving, and online donations via PayPal; St. Pauls is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Newcomers are welcome to attend without any pressure to contribute.
The Little Lambs' Room
Formal childcare is not provided, but the Little Lambs' Room is designed just for families with small children. Located right off the sanctuary, the room has a large picture window and a live audio feed so parents can continue to see and hear the service while tending to a child. The newly renovated space includes a changing table, a rocking chair, and simple toys.
A Joyful Sound: The Bell Choir
For musicians looking for a place to serve, the Joyous Bells handbell choir practices on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:15 PM, led by Chris Sparrow. The choir performs roughly once a month on Sundays from September through May, plus a guest appearance at the Downtown Menomonee Falls Small Business Saturday event. Music reading is not required: notes can be color-coded, and the only counting skill needed is to four. Practices resume each September, and new ringers of any experience level are welcome to join.
Bible Study, Meditation, and Prayer Shawls
Three smaller gatherings make up a steady midweek rhythm.
Bible Study meets on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 PM in the small room off Fellowship Hall, with Terry Tracy as the contact person. The group describes itself as offering lively and thoughtful conversations inspired by scripture. Attendance is open to anyone, whether they can come every week or just once.
Meditation is held every Saturday morning from 9:00 to 9:30 AM upstairs in the Confirmation Room. Terry Tracy is again the contact, and newcomers can drop in.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry brings knitters and crocheters together to make shawls for baptisms, bereavements, confirmations, and other special occasions. The group meets twice a month: on the second Sunday after worship and on the third Thursday at 6:30 PM. Whether someone is a seasoned pro or just learning the ropes, there is a place.
Hands at Work in Guild Hall
Guild Hall, also known as Fellowship Hall, is the warm, busy center of the building. After Sunday services it fills with members for coffee and conversation. During the week it hosts the Bell Choir, Bible Study, Prayer Shawl gatherings, the Women's Fellowship Group, and Open Knit/Crochet Nights on Mondays at 6:30 PM, where yarn crafters work on personal projects or projects for local charities.
The Women's Fellowship Group is the driving force behind the Annual Cookie Walk in December. Members spend weeks baking cookies, then gather at the church for concentrated baking sessions with mixers, scoopers, bakers, decorators, washers, and lunch preparers. The Cookie Walk itself is held at the church in early December, with volunteers welcome to donate supplies or monetary support in addition to time.
A Mental Health Task Force rounds out the ministry offerings, meeting monthly to host workshops on topics such as healthy coping skills during the holiday season and to plan book studies. Everyone is welcome.
Serving Falls Food Pantry, St. Ben's, and Mr. Bob's
Mission and outreach is a central expression of the congregation's faith, and three partnerships in particular shape the work.
The Falls Area Food Pantry is supported through regular donations of non-perishable food and volunteer time at the pantry itself. Members generously stock the shelves and serve on site, sharing God's love with neighbors through every bag of groceries.
St. Ben's Community Meal in Milwaukee has been serving the city's poor and homeless since 1966, growing from the kitchen of a kind-hearted Irish immigrant couple into a vital resource at 9th and State Street. Every evening from Sunday through Friday, a variety of churches and organizations come together to provide a warm meal for approximately 150 people. St. Pauls contributes a chili mac casserole once a month. A team of 14 cooks takes turns preparing the meal in groups of four, using a recipe posted on the mission board in Guild Hall. Each batch costs about $45 to make, and roughly 10 volunteers help with the effort.
Mr. Bob's Under the Bridge provides new or gently used clothing to individuals experiencing homelessness, and St. Pauls serves as a drop-off location for donations of clothing and other essentials.
The Sanctuary, the Hall, and the Cemetery
The building includes three spaces the congregation highlights. The Sanctuary, with its wooden pews and decorated altar, is used for worship, weddings, baptisms, and community events. Guild Hall and Fellowship Hall is available for rental, with a Building Use Form available to download. The Little Lambs' Room sits just off the sanctuary for families with young children.
The St. Pauls Cemetery surrounds the church property, and members care for it through a Cemetery Fund. Donations can be made through the giving envelopes, by designating a check memo, through PayPal, or as stock donations arranged through Edward Jones. Plots are still available for purchase.
Parking on site is ample, the building is fully wheelchair accessible with an elevator, and accessible parking is available. The congregation is also located close to local landmarks like Mill Pond Park and the Falls Memorial Fest Grounds.
Neighbors Who Share the Building
Several community groups call St. Pauls home in addition to the congregation's own ministries.
BSA Troop 321 has been chartered by St. Pauls for years, and church members have helped with funding, Eagle service projects, and travel expenses. The Milwaukee Liederkranz Chorus has been meeting at St. Pauls for almost six years, using Fellowship Hall and the adjoining kitchen for practices and joint rehearsals with other singing groups, and the chorus performs at the church's Rally Day each year. The MenoHARmonee Barbershop Chorus has met at the church on Wednesday evenings for over ten years, storing equipment and uniforms on site and occasionally singing at services. The Main Street Song & Dance Troupe, a nonprofit youth performance group for singers and dancers aged 13 to 18 from southeast Wisconsin, rehearses in the building and performs several times a year. Lincoln Lodge #183 of the Free and Accepted Masons also meets at the church.
Giving
Members support St. Pauls in three ways. Cash or check can be placed in the giving envelopes distributed on Sunday mornings. Giving can be automated by speaking with the church office. Online giving is handled through PayPal, with a Donate button and QR code available. All gifts to St. Pauls UCC are tax-deductible.
The church is located at N89W16856 Appleton Avenue, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051, with phone (262) 251-5160 and email saintpaulsinthefalls@gmail.com. Bulletins for recent Sundays are posted under Worship and Bulletins, and the building is open to visitors, renters, and curious neighbors throughout the week.