About

Rooted in Tradition, Open to All.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has a rich history of serving our Durham community. We exist to inspire and engage one another to do what is just, show love, and fulfill God’s Word.

Through worship, learning, witness, service, and support, we equip one another to live out our faith daily.

Our History

The first Lutheran congregation in Durham, St. Paul’s was organized in 1922 by the Lutheran Synod of North Carolina as a Mission congregation. We began with twelve charter members and built our first church in 1929. By 1943 we were self-supporting. The first worship service was conducted in the present sanctuary on October 6, 1968. We are a part of the NC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Our Christian experience together is enriched by the diversity of our members who come from many different geographical, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. We have always fully supported our Synod’s benevolence budget and have maintained an active social ministry program within our parish and throughout the community and the church at large.

Additionally, with strong lay leadership, we have developed an active program of worship, music, Christian education, and fellowship. Our worship services are a celebration of God’s Grace in both Word and Sacrament. We hear and are sustained by the Word as we are made members of the Church in Baptism and nourished at the Lord’s Table.

We are governed by a Congregational Council elected by the congregation.

Visitors and new members are encouraged to participate in all our activities.

Our Mission

The mission of St. Paul's Lutheran Church as a part of the family of God is to share God in Christ with the world by equipping one another through worship, learning, witness, service, and support.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the land upon which St. Paul’s gathers. This land has been playground and campground for many generations of people, including the Lumbee, Skaruhreh/Tuscarora, Cheraw, Catawba, Occaneechi, and Shakori Nations. Its waterways were their highways, its flora and fauna their banquet table, its starry skies their canvas upon which their stories were painted. They cared for this land, and we remember their lives here with gratitude. We give thanks for all Indigenous peoples who continue to care for this land and to call it their home.

Welcome Statement

In celebrating the beauty and strength created through diversity, we welcome, value, and include all of God's children regardless of race, culture, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, ability, appearance, or citizenship. St. Paul's is committed to racial equity.

Our Lutheran Faith

St. Paul’s is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a national network of churches committed to sharing God’s love and grace with all people.

The Lutheran faith is a branch of Christianity that was born out of the protestant Reformation of the 1500s and the reformer, Martin Luther. For Luther, and for Lutherans today, there are some essential points about faith and discipleship that matter:

  • God saves us through his GRACE, given as an unmerited favor.

  • We are redeemed not by our own good works but through our FAITH in the saving works of Jesus Christ.

  • The BIBLE is the inspired Word of God and is the source of authority for faith and life.

  • By our BAPTISM we are initiated into the priesthood of all believers. We are called to confess Christ as Lord and Savior. - We are called to be ministers to one another.

  • God’s GRACE and MERCY come to us by way of the Holy Spirit.

  • We are called to SERVE, and by serving we show our gratitude to God.