The EC Church traces its roots to the ministry of Jacob Albright (1759-1818). A tile maker by trade, he became a circuit riding preacher, intent on sharing the Good News about Christ with his German-speaking neighbors in their native language. Adopting Wesleyan format, he organized groups of believers which grew into the
Evangelical Association. In time, some of those churches became known as the
Evangelical Congregational Chruch.
At St. Paul’s we hope to continue that passion for the Good News of Jesus brought to people where they are, in ways that they can understand, while living the Good News as a church family through meaningful relationships, rooted in the inspired Word of God.
Our Denomination
Evangelical
We believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of our identity. A passion for the Good News that we can be forgiven of sin and reunited to God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the essence of what it means to be “Evangelical.”
Congregational
Our association of churches believes in unity of essential doctrine but freedom for the local churches in matters of governing and style. Thus, we own our own buildings and embrace a diversity of approaches to leadership, worship and outreach among our churches.
Church
Not the building but the people. St. Paul’s is St. Paul’s when we gather together, united by faith in Jesus, for the purpose of glorifying God as a renewed community in covenant with Him.
Basic Doctrine
- Believing the Bible to be our final authority for faith and Christian living, we affirm the following:
- That the universe is the purposeful creation of a personal, loving, almighty God.
- That all human beings are made in the image of the Creator and are of infinite worth.
- That our world is under the sway of sin as a result of a historical and a personal human rebellion against God, so that suffering, death and separation from God are the experience of humankind; and that without the intervention of God’s grace, this will be the eternal state of all persons.
- That Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, through his virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death on the Cross, and glorious resurrection and ascension, graciously offers new life to all who receive him by faith.
- That the Holy Spirit, indwelling believers, gives them a desire and an ability to follow biblical standards of conduct in their personal lives and in society.
- That the Christian faith is lived in the community of the church, where worship and witness are embodied through the spiritual gifts of its members.
- That Jesus Christ will return to this world, bring an end to history as we know it, inaugurate the final judgment, and welcome believers into his eternal kingdom.