History

Martin Luther's Reformation, by emphasizing the doctrine of the "priesthood of all believers," placed great responsibility on Lutheran laymen. It is fitting that we give some thought to the efforts of our forefathers who have preserved our heritage. As Lutherans, today we need to renew our efforts to work for closer cooperation among all Christians. As Christian witnesses, we must be living examples of the one true faith.

The Union Pacific Railroad began building their main rail line west from Omaha in 1862. The first forty miles were completed in 1865 through the village of Millard and awakened new desires and new ambitions. The small community began to build up along the railroad offering services and supplies to the rural population in the area. It became much more convenient for the farmers to come to Millard with their produce and buy their needs in Millard which was a distance of only one or two miles as compared to six and more miles to Papillion by horse and buggy. There was, however, no place of worship in Millard.

An early newspaper article says that Ezra Millard "platted Millard, a mostly unihabited prairie twelve miles southwest of Omaha. Little by little stores and shops, hotels and homes, school and church were added to the original nucleus, until in 1885 the village attained the dignity of a corporate body. This event was brought by the county commissioners of Douglas County who, on September 26, 1885, declared the place incorporated and appointed a temporary Board of Trustees." Nebraska became a state on March 1, 1867.

A German Lutheran congregation was then founded in 1886 by William Huesemann, pastor of the Missouri Synod church (First Lutheran) in Papillion, along with eleven men from the Papillion congregation, who became the core of the Millard congregation. Businessmen and residents of the village supported the new congregation whole heartedly and it became a strong force in the community. The Millard church (St. Paul's) remained a member of the Missouri Synod until 1900 when the congregation voted to join the Iowa Synod.

The first church building was erected in 1887. Four years later the church was destroyed by lightning. The same day, members decided to rebuild, and in 1892, the new building was completed. The new structure 28 x 60 feet, was erected with the rear 20 feet used as a parsonage. The first English worship services were conducted by Pastor G.P. Krebs in 1909, however, German worship services were conducted regularly. As members became more fluent in the English language, the need for the German worship services gradually ended in 1952.

Early settlers to the Millard area were from the Schlessweig-Holstein/Denmark region in Europe.

Even in our early years, the youth were active participants in the life of St. Paul's. It was noted that a good sized youth group met regularly in the mid-teens and that they paid to have electricity brought into the church and continued financing the monthly charges.

Under the longtime leadership of Pastors A.C. Hoff and Samuel Herforth, a total of 42 years between them, the congregation prospered and grew in faith and numbers. A parsonage was erected in 1923 and a beautiful brick church was built in 1929 at the cost of $35,000. Above the altar in the edifice was the beautiful stained-glass window, now located in the present sanctuary, depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

Following the difficult depression years, both men and women worked to retire the debt of the church and parsonage. Eight thousand dollars remained unpaid and from 1940 to 1944 this debt was retired by using the God's Acre plan. With this plan, farmers agreed to set aside one acre of ground, till, plant, and harvest the crop and give the proceeds to the debt retirement fund. The merchants and patrons residing in Millard agreed to contribute a like proportion of their earnings.

Fifty-five young men and two young women entered the military service during the World War II combat. Two gave their lives. There were others who served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts as well as later military actions. St. Paul's Lutheran tries to keep in contact with its youth who serve their country as well as those who go off to college.

Women of St. Paul's Lutheran were first given the right to vote in 1941. Since that time women have had the privilege of serving on the Church Council.

In April of 1946, St. Paul's hosted the Central District convention when over 200 pastors and delegates attended, one of whom was the first woman delegate. This was the last Central District convention housed by a host congregation.

Nine hundred seventy-three had been confirmed at St. Paul's by the year 1953. A confirmation reunion was held at that time. Approximately four hundred eighty of the seven hundred sixty still living at that time attended.

The American Lutheran Church came into existence in 1960 through a major merger of church bodies. Two Sunday morning worship services were offered for the first time.

For many years St. Paul's was the only church in the community. The school and church always maintained a close relationship by the sharing of facilities. Classrooms were often used for Vacation Bible School in the "40s and "50s, and during the construction of the enlarging and remodeling of the church sanctuary and the adding of a fellowship hall/educational unit. This facility was dedicated in June 1962.

Many spiritual growth opportunities were brought into being during the '60s-our first intern was installed, a parsonage was purchased away from the church, financial support was budgeted for a missionary, Adult Bethel Bible study was initiated, etc.

When once St. Paul's was a rural congregation, we are now an urban group striving to make changes necessary to meet the needs of the people by offering new alternative worship opportunities, modern Bible study opportunities and upgrading our structure and lesson material for the entire congregation.

Reaching out to those in need, in our community, country, and overseas has been an ongoing concern at St. Paul's. We have contributed to these through Lutheran agencies and support groups by individuals as well as the congregation.

The work of the congregation has been shared by the men, women and youth. The women of St. Paul's have always contributed their talents and time since the Ladies Aid was organized in 1901, taught Sunday School, served father and son banquets, annual mission festivals, served meals for civic organization, weddings, funerals, ice cream socials, and they played a major role in the financial support during very difficult times. Through the years many of the Ladies Aid joined membership in Women of the ELCA (formerly ALCW) Circles because of advancing age within their group. This resulted in the eventual termination of the Ladies Aid Society in the early "90s.

The men took part in a men's choir, participated in American Lutheran Church Men's organization (the Lutheran Brotherhood, church council, supported the church with the God's acres, served for the mother and daughter banquets, and used their talents and time for property maintenance.

The Luther League met regularly with Bible study and devotions. During World War II they collected scrap metal for the war effort. They sponsored the Vienna nights, taught Sunday School and assisted with Bible School. They had a telephone installed at the church and paid for the monthly bills, purchased books for the church library and the Christian and American flags for the sanctuary, participated in youth choir, assisted both the men and the women in their activities, served as acolytes, honored the Senior citizens at an open house, and sponsored the Christmas carol and candlelight services.

During the "70s the former Millard bank was purchased for educational purposes, a team ministry was initiated with the calling of a second pastor and our first youth director. Space was offered for a senior citizens nutrition site, and the Friendly Neighbors, a community senior citizen group was organized.

The "80s brought the Stephens Ministries training to St. Paul's, the Cell groups, Saturday evening services, a bell choir, Summer intern, staff persons in the Director of Lay Ministries and Director of Christian Education were added. A building proposal for expansion was accepted in our centennial year. And 1986, being our centennial year, we celebrated with many special activities throughout the year.

St. Paul's began a team ministry in the "90s. New technology was added to the administrative offices with computers. The youth in our congregation have been growing in numbers with a heavy Bible emphasis in their gatherings. We have been blessed with the programming, kidstitute, summer day camps, Senior High work camps and trips, all with a Bible emphasis. The establishing of the Steinbaugh scholarship fund for Christian Education positions has been offered to interested youth.

Music has always played an important part in worship at St. Paul's. Choirs consisting of various ages from pre-schoolers through adults, solo vocalists, instrumentalists and bell choir have enriched our worship. Both traditional and alternative worship services are now offered and the choirs remain an important part in these. The alternative worship services have added new interest and life to St. Paul's, drawing new membership to its doors.

Through the years we have gradually increased our awareness and have reached out to others. In the early years we supported foreign missions by facilitating missionary work in New Guinea, brining the natives the Word of God, education and medical assistance. Now our foreign missions have expanded far beyond this one mission field. After World War II, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) came into existence and is now recognized around the world for its assistance and comfort in disaster situations. Beside our monetary contributions to LWR, our Women of the ELCA ladies assemble school kits, health kits, sewing kits, and layettes; we supply soap and used clothing, and the St. Paul's Quilters make quilts that are sent all over the globe.

Of the first eleven men, we have multiple generation descendants who are still active members of St. Paul's. There are others who are descendants of the very early members as well. Indeed, we have a rich heritage.

St. Paul's Lutheran congregation claims no other distinction than that of trying to serve the cause of the Kingdom of God. We make no pretense of being what we are not. By confession and tradition our church is a denominational church, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As such, we teach and believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We teach and believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In spite of human frailties, our church has brought blessings untold to her generations.

Moving into the twenty-first century, St. Paul's continues to be a visible part of the Millard community Publishing the bi-annual magazine "Millard Express," and being an active participant in the Millard Town Center Project, St. Paul's focuses on renewing the community spirit of Millard The annual Millard Day's parade crowd finds St. Paul's as a visible part of the community.

Art and Soul, now incorporated, started and is housed at St. Paul's It is a community outreach to "continue the work of Jesus through the appreciation and inspiration of the creative spirit." A concert, recitals, plays, art displays, and drama and art lessons for children and adults have been made available to the community.

As a caring community of worshipers, St. Paul's has implemented a neighborhood project bringing neighborhood groups of members together in Bible Study and fellowship TheStephen Ministry continues Men and Women weekly Bible studies are on-going The Women of the ELCA at St. Paul's remain as active as ever in their commitment to Lutheran World Relief, community and church projects. Other activity opportunities are annual Golf Tournaments, Bridge, a Young at Heart Senior group, Book Clubs, carnivals and picnics An Annual Cross and Heart Banquet celebrates the ministries and volunteers of St. Paul's.

Family Ministry is a priority of St. Paul's A Director of Youth and Family Ministry is now a staff position. With the acquisition of the nearby Cotner Building, the Hearts and Hands preschool is now a reality drawing preschoolers from the community. The Sunday School has been renovated into the Kingdom Quest, a new and exciting Sunday program for students preschool through sixth grade Christian education continues with such programs as Kidstitute, Vacation Church School, Day Camp, Keeping the Promise, Cradle Roll, Bibles for third graders, First Communion classes, Confirmation and ninth grade commitment classes continue to prepare our students for the Affirmation of their Baptism.

Our Youth have evolved from many groups such as YES (Youth Excited Servants), M & M's (Middle and Mighty), SNA (Sunday Night Alive), AWOL (A Work of Love) work crew, DREAM Team, and now SPIRIT They have been active in creating their space and voice at St. Paul's.

Worship and Music has expanded to four services, Saturday evening and three on Sunday They include Traditional as well as Contemporary services With a Music Director on staff our music groups include a choral choir, praise choirs with percussions and instruments, three Handbell choirs (1 adult and 2 youth), soloists and small groups.

St. Paul's is active in their faith in society Habitat for Humanity, Paint-a-thon, Prison Ministry, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Relay for Life, Scholarships for students at Lutheran Colleges and Seminaries are a few of the opportunities available.

An outreach to Tanzania began when a member was in a teacher exchange with another teacher from Tanzania Since then St. Paul's has been actively involved to helping the people of the Northern Diocese of Tanzania Two members of St. Paul's delivered and installed rebuilt generators to a Tanzanian Women's Resource Center and Agape High School/Jr. Seminary Recently a bell was cast and delivered to Kitifu church in Tanzania St. Paul's has enjoyed the music of a visiting children and adult choirs from Tanzania.

With the commitment to community, St. Paul's opens its doors to community groups and ministries Scout groups, the Omaha Clarion Chorale, Al-Anon, AA, and Recovery groups meet regularly at St. Paul's The Lions and Lionesses and other community groups are welcome at St. Paul's making it a veritable community center.

To enable St. Paul's to be even more user friendly, continual update of the building and furnishings occur An area adjacent to the church was renovated into a "green space" for a peaceful garden respite. A playground was established and available for our preschoolers The parking lot was enlarged And in 2004 will bring about a renovation of the church sanctuary adding a balcony, updating the worship area and sound system.

St. Paul's continues in serving God's community, praising Him who has given us much and allows us the opportunity to welcome and share His Grace and Love.