How it all started...
According to historians, members of the Shawnee Methodist Church met under a brush arbor at the corner of Bell and Oakland on October 7th, 1894. There were nine original members. The following year, a frame building was erected.
In 1901, the frame building was moved to the present location of St. Paul’s, at tenth and Beard. Seven years later, a brick structure was built in its place, only to be torn down in 1918 to construct a dome church.
In 1939, the unification of the three main branches of Methodism and the First Methodist Episcopal Church South, became St. Paul’s Methodist Church of Shawnee.
After World War II, the need for a larger church with school facilities became apparent. The ground was broken for the building on September 28th, 1952.
At the 1964 General Conference in Dallas, Texas, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren merged to make up The United Methodist Church. It was at this time that our church became known as St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Shawnee.
On October 7, 1970, a tornado roared through Shawnee, lifting the dome of St. Paul’s, turning it and then placing it back down. The sanctuary was then condemned, and the church services had to be held in the Fellowship Hall.
Construction began in March of 1972 on the new building. Bishop Paul Milhouse led the consecration service for the building on January 14, 1973. Today, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church still occupies this building.
St. Paul’s celebrated its Centennial Celebration on October 7, 1994, and celebrated the 125th Celebration Day in 2019.
In 1901, the frame building was moved to the present location of St. Paul’s, at tenth and Beard. Seven years later, a brick structure was built in its place, only to be torn down in 1918 to construct a dome church.
In 1939, the unification of the three main branches of Methodism and the First Methodist Episcopal Church South, became St. Paul’s Methodist Church of Shawnee.
After World War II, the need for a larger church with school facilities became apparent. The ground was broken for the building on September 28th, 1952.
At the 1964 General Conference in Dallas, Texas, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren merged to make up The United Methodist Church. It was at this time that our church became known as St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Shawnee.
On October 7, 1970, a tornado roared through Shawnee, lifting the dome of St. Paul’s, turning it and then placing it back down. The sanctuary was then condemned, and the church services had to be held in the Fellowship Hall.
Construction began in March of 1972 on the new building. Bishop Paul Milhouse led the consecration service for the building on January 14, 1973. Today, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church still occupies this building.
St. Paul’s celebrated its Centennial Celebration on October 7, 1994, and celebrated the 125th Celebration Day in 2019.
Expanding the vision...
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, in living into our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ by connecting, serving, and sharing, has expanded our ministry umbrella over the years. In addition to excellent worship and learning opportunities, our deep commitment to love our neighbors led to the creation of The Mission Post in 2020. We serve those in need by providing a permanent address for mail, and assistance with obtaining state issued identification. We also provide simple "snack packs" and hygiene items upon request, as well as offering a home-cooked, hot meal on the first and third Monday of each month for anyone who likes food and fellowship.
We are proud to partner with many community nonprofit entities that support our vision of a transformed world. Our St. Paul's Compassion Team works in close partnership with Project Safe to provide home furnishings for women and children leaving abusive situations. Other shining examples of these partnerships include Bridges Out of Poverty and A Brighter Way to Play.
We are also home to A Kid's Life Child Development Center, a daycare serving children in Shawnee and surrounding areas, and Early Foundations, a daycare program dedicated to providing care for children on the autism spectrum. Early Foundations is a joint effort supported by St. Paul's, the Avedis Foundation, and Citizen Potawatomie Nation.
Please reach out for additional information and ways to get involved.
We are proud to partner with many community nonprofit entities that support our vision of a transformed world. Our St. Paul's Compassion Team works in close partnership with Project Safe to provide home furnishings for women and children leaving abusive situations. Other shining examples of these partnerships include Bridges Out of Poverty and A Brighter Way to Play.
We are also home to A Kid's Life Child Development Center, a daycare serving children in Shawnee and surrounding areas, and Early Foundations, a daycare program dedicated to providing care for children on the autism spectrum. Early Foundations is a joint effort supported by St. Paul's, the Avedis Foundation, and Citizen Potawatomie Nation.
Please reach out for additional information and ways to get involved.
Where we are headed...
St. Paul's UMC stands ready to respond when God calls us toward the next right step. As our relationship with God and with one another deepens, opportunities for service, worship, and growth continue to arise.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’" - Isaiah 6:8
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’" - Isaiah 6:8
