Our History

On Easter Monday, 1915, a group of nine men from Zion Lutheran Church in Wells Township and six Caro men met to discuss the formation of a church in Caro.  Pastor Paul Waschilewsky was called to serve the congregations of Caro, Wells Township, and Fremont. 

Under Pastor Waschilewsky’s guidance, Saint Paul Lutheran Church was officially organized and received its charter on April 2, 1916.  At that time the church grew to sixty communicant members and eighty-six baptized souls.  In May 1917, the congregation purchased a parsonage at 609 South State St.  The parsonage cost of $1250 was financed through the Church Extension Fund.

For six years the congregation rented the Christian Science Church and the Episcopalian Church.  When the rental of the Episcopalian Church increased to $15 a month, the congregation felt it was a heavy drain on its treasury.  With a loan from one of Saint Paul's members, it was possible to go forward with building plans.

Through the determination of the members, the Saint Paul Lutheran Church was built and dedicated in 1922.  Christian education was a primary concern for the congregation and Sunday School was established in 1923.

Pastor Waschilewsky accepted a call to Inkster, Michigan and Pastor Schroeder was installed November 15, 1925.  Under his guidance, the Saint Paul congregation became self-supporting. Pastor Schroeder accepted a call to serve Trinity Church, Lansing, Michigan.

Pastor Alfred Trinklein was installed as our pastor in 1930.  Membership and attendance increased to the point where the church needed to enlarge.  The Great Depression did not hinder the determination of the congregation; in the spring of 1932, it was decided to enlarge the building. Volunteers offered their services to build the addition free of charge.  In the fall of 1932, the rededication of the enlarged church took place.  New stained-glass windows, lights, pews, a sacristy, a full basement, and a new heating system graced Saint Paul Lutheran.  Within two years, the debt incurred was paid off through regular giving and through special contributions.

With the church renovation in 1932, it became evident that the old parsonage needed to be replaced.  There was no opposition to building a new parsonage, but no one was sure how money could be raised.  At a meeting of the congregation, it was decided to build a new home if the Pastor could find the financing for it.  The following day, Pastor Trinklein traveled to a neighboring community where he knew several families.  According to Pastor’s own words, he pleaded “with the Lord to bless his venture.”  He returned to Caro with $4500.  There are varied stories as to where the money came from, but all accounts credit this phenomenal contribution to answered prayer.

With the acquisition of money, the work could begin on the parsonage.  The old home was torn down and removed.  Members of the church donated their time to build the new parsonage.

In 1935 Pastor Trinklein accepted a call to Messiah Lutheran Church in New York City.  Pastor Otto Nuechterlein had just completed his vicarage and was asked to fill the vacancy as interim pastor.  The congregation decided to extend a call to him and he was ordained and installed as pastor of Saint Paul on January 1, 1936.

Under Pastor Nuechterlein‘s ministry, Walther league, LWML, and the board for Christian Education were established at Saint Paul.  Two women of our congregation attended the first Regional Board of Education meeting with Pastor Nuechterlein.  He was reprimanded for having a woman superintendent of Sunday School, and a woman on the Board of Education.  Although he was reprimanded, he did not replace the women with men.

In 1945, Pastor Nuechterlein started two mission congregations in Fairgrove and Cass City.  He also served as the pastor in Cass City and Caro for twelve years.  Once a month, he also had services for residents at the Caro State hospital. 

Pastor Nuechterlein accepted a call to Iowa, and Pastor John Boerger was installed as the fifth pastor of Saint Paul on December 1, 1957.  The church continued to grow, and two Sunday services were needed to seat the congregation.  A short time later, two sessions of Sunday School became necessary.  At this time plans were initiated to build an educational facility.

In order to build the education building, the gully needed to be filled.  This depended on receiving permission from the Village Council.  The other option was to buy 10 acres of land on Gilford Road, and build a new church and education facilities.  The congregation voted to obtain permission to tile and fill the gully and proceed in that direction.  The education building was erected and the parking lot was expanded. In March 1964.  The Sunday school moved into the new building, which was dedicated on April 26, 1964.  By February 1966, the mortgage on the building project was paid in full.  One hundred, thirty-nine children were enrolled in Sunday School at that time.

The sixth pastor to serve Saint Paul was pastor Raymond J. Prough, who was installed on October 2, 1966.  In 1974. He accepted a call to Onaway Michigan.  With this vacancy, Pastor Barry Forester accepted our call and was installed on March 9, 1975.

During Pastor Forester‘s pastorate at Saint Paul, the congregation continued to flourish and grow.  At that time, an additional five elders were added to serve the congregation, and the Board of Evangelism was established.

Throughout her years, God has blessed Saint Paul with substantial growth in membership. The congregation voted in 1983 to build a new church with the stipulation that 50% of the cost of the new church be raised in pledges before the contract was signed.  To the surprise and pleasure of many people, this goal was accomplished in a short time.

After much planning, the current building was erected.  The semicircular sanctuary, church offices, a large fellowship hall, library, youth room, and kitchen accommodate the growing church membership.

Before the old church was razed, an auction sale was held.  Doors, windows, wall paneling, kitchen cabinets, and pews were all removed and auctioned.  Our church newsletter, The Messenger, was published for the first time in April 1986.

After three years in the new church, the congregation increased to the point that it was necessary for Pastor Forester to have help in order to adequately serve the congregation.  Pastor Thomas Haller was installed on August 2, 1987. He did a great deal of work with the youth during his pastorate. In 1990 he relinquished his call because of severe migraine headaches.

Before Pastor Haller left, Pastor Forester received and accepted a call to Arizona.

Pastor David E Hollender accepted the call to Saint Paul and was installed on January 15, 1989. Mrs. Mabel Hollender became the “temporary” choir director; she remained the music director for many years. The JOY group (Just Older Youth) was formed in 1990 and continues today with many activities throughout the year.

In 1991 we celebrated our 75th year in Caro.  Our guest pastors included Pastors Forester, Burger, Prough, Dr. John Heins, and Mike Trinklein.  Under the guidance of Mabel Hollender the Women’s Association began celebrating Spring Tea, which is a fun evening of entertainment, desserts, tea, and coffee,

Pastor Douglas Krengel was called from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to become our assistant pastor.  He was ordained and installed on June 9, 1991.  Pastor Krengel accepted a call to Lapeer, Michigan and he and his family moved in 1994

In 1993, our choir began a series of Christmas Cantatas, and we began a monthly contemporary service in 1994.  Our new pipe organ was dedicated on February 5, 1995, and a special concert was held.  The Men’s Saturday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study started shortly after many men from our congregation attended a “Promise Keepers” event.

With the absence of an assistant pastor, our congregation decided we would need a Director of Christian Education.  In the winter of 1995 the congregation officially called Mr. Greg Arnett.  Although Greg was happy where he was serving, he and Cathy came to Caro to visit and prayed over the decision.  Greg, Cathy, and three year old Nathan moved to Michigan and Greg was installed on April 2, 1995.

1996 saw the beginning of “Stephen Ministry” headed by Pastor Hollender, Ken & Betty Hecht, Lila Thompson, and Eileen Hiser.  Since that date many members of our congregation have become Stephen Ministers and many have been served. Our old parsonage built in the mid-1930s was sold and moved to Chambers Rd. Greg Arnett led the first year of the “Fixin’ Up The Thumb” servant event. The servant event includes youth in our congregation and from other LCMS churches in Michigan and other states.  Each team works under the guidance of adults as they repair homes in the Tuscola County area.  All members involved in “Fixin’ Up The Thumb” experience the joy of serving others.

In 2000, our congregation was saddened by Pastor Hollender‘s announcement to retire, but also happy for him and Mabel to be able to travel, to enjoy their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

Pastor Hollender’s final service was celebrated on September 30, 2001 with an overflowing church service.  Later in the afternoon, a dinner and program was held at KofC Hall in Caro.

Pastor Eric Lambert served as Interim Pastor for one year and sadly, he died in August 2003.

Pastor Cameron Steele was installed as our 12th and current Pastor on September 12, 2002.  During his pastorate many improvements have been made at our church.  The Endowment Fund began at Saint Paul Lutheran Church for the purpose of funding Lutheran Education, and for special projects.  We joined with other Caro churches to form the Good Samaritan Fund of Caro Area Churches. The churches also operate a food pantry that is operated from the Caro United Methodist Church and staffed by many members of Saint Paul.

The Traditional/Contemporary schedule of worship service began in 2004. Initially, this was a difficult transition for the congregation. We are blessed with our praise band, “His Praise” lead by EJ Fisch, and many faithful members, adding voices, piano, and drums to the band.

Since our Sunday School building was not handicap accessible, in 2004 ground was broken to make it larger and handicap accessible.  Just as in the 1930s, when members of our church volunteered to build the addition to our (old) church, in 2004,  the same commitment by volunteers, built the addition to our current Sunday School building.

From 2003 to 2010, DCE Greg Arnett led several mission trips to Anapra, Mexico.  The 2005 mission trip was called “5x5x5”.  The group, including Pastor Steele and Greg Arnett, went to Mexico in the fifth month for five days, and in that time built five complete houses in Anapra.  Other mission trips have included Nora, Virginia and Lestage, Haiti.

Pastor Steele began Hospice Chaplain Ministry with Lutheran Homes of Michigan Hospice of Hope in 2006.  He ministered to many patients and their families during hospice care.

On May 21, 2006, Mabel Hollander retired from her service as music Director of Saint Paul’s handbell and vocal choirs.  She continued as organist and accompanist for soloists, and occasionally for the vocal choir.

June 3, 2007 plans were made for the replacement of our church roof.  A new metal roof was put on at a cost of $56,000.  The guarantee is for 50 years so we don’t need to worry about a replacement for a long time.

October 21, 2007 was the day of dedication of the Sunday School building addition.  The beautiful addition is handicap accessible and all children can meet in one room for the daily lesson and songs.

July 13, 2008, Pastor Steele celebrated 15 years in pastoral ministry.  After many years of absence, the Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study resumed in October.

In 2009, Saint Paul Lutheran Church joined with other Michigan District LCMS congregations for “The Future is Now,” to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Michigan District.  St. Paul decided to raise a total of $50,000 over a five-year period. The purpose of the drive was for:  1.  Planting new LCMS congregations in Michigan; 2.  Assisting students entering church work with tuition; 3.  International missionary work through the LCMS.  We also marked the 25th anniversary of the cornerstone laying of the new church building on May 5, 2009. 

In 2010, Pastor Steele was elected to serve as Michigan district pastoral counselor for the LWML.

In May of 2012, we began “LET US PRAY” prayer services on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.  Prayers for our congregation, community, and world continue

In 2013 we began making plans for our new parking lot and plans began for our 100th Anniversary.  That same year, with Greg Arnett‘s mission trips to Haiti, we officially “adopted” a partnership with Lestage, Haiti and began building a church there.

In 2014 Pastor Steele began training to be a volunteer Chaplain for the Tuscola County Sheriff Department; a position that allows him to minister in the community, much like the hospice chaplaincy has continued to do. 

Through the years our congregation has witnessed to, not only our community, but also with missions to Haiti, Virginia, Anapra, Mexico, and to many people in Tuscola County, as homes were repaired by our servants. Children have experienced the joy of learning about our Savior through Sunday school, the children’s sermons, VBS, confirmation classes, and retreats.  Adults study scripture through our Bible study classes and witness to one another.  We are a family whose history is rich in love and devotion to our Lord.  From the group of men who met to form this church in 1915, our goals remain the same “Generation to Generation in Jesus Christ.”