Our Story of Faith

The history of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church dates back many years to the actual time of its organization in April of 1883. Our roots were formed on American soil among American born citizens of German descent. It was the natural outgrowth of a pioneer people who were not satisfied with things as they were. The language being a barrier, the necessity was created to form a church organization that answered their needs.

In the year 1800, Jacob Albright and a group of people in the state of Pennsylvania, united to pray with and for each other. They agreed to spend each Sunday in prayer and worship and to meet each Wednesday evening for prayer. This was the origin of St. Paul’s Church.

Rev. Jacob Albright

The work begun by this group of dedicated worshippers spread across the territory and the Gospel Circuit Riders, “pressed westward into Dakota and took up new appointments.” Two missions were created in the Dakota territory. The first being in Yankton in 1876 and a new mission at Fargo in 1879. In April of 1883, a quiet, timid, but earnest young man by the name of Reverend William Suckow was sent by the Minnesota Conference to work at the Jamestown mission. Rev. Suckow lived in Valley City and preached in Jamestown, Tower City, Carrington, Cooperstown, Lisbon, LaMoure, Sanborn, Spiritwood Lake, Grand Rapids, and other country appointments.

He came with his horse and buggy looking for someone to share his love for Jesus Christ with. He traveled over many weary miles of trackless prairies looking for enough people to form a congregation of believers so that the good news of salvation might continue to spread. For one year, he struggled here meeting in homes, sacrificing family and personal comforts, because he was compelled to witness his Lord. 

The work so faithfully begun by Rev. Suckow was continued by Rev. F.W. Tesch who served here from 1884 to 1885. During the summer of 1884, the first church building was built. It included four rooms as living quarters for the pastor. This first mission church was built at a cost of $2,769.06 and was dedicated on September 28, 1884. On the day of the dedication, the amount of $3,009.11 was raised in cash and pledges.

Many faithful servants of God followed in the footsteps of these two pioneer leaders. The church progressed spiritually and in number. Some points of interest to note during the early years are that in 1894 under the leadership of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Fandery, the Sunday School was formed and also a choir. The first Christmas program was presented in December of 1894, the Christmas tree being donated by a local lumber dealer. The Pastor’s salary in 1901 was $189.40. The budget, or “claims” as the term was then, was $450. Apportionments were $200. The total that was raised was $389.40 leaving the congregation in debt for $60.60. There were 69 members.

Mission Church - 1884