ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

AND SCHOOL

HISTORY OF ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ogallala, was officially organized on January 16, 1926. Services were held in a church building rented from the Episcopalians. The Lord’s Supper was celebrated for the first time on February 14, 1926. Communion was offered only four times a year. Two services were in German and two in English. A German service was to be held the last Sunday of each month.

On October 6, 1941 work began on a new church at West 2^nd & C Street. Rev. H.L. Schuetz was the pastor at that time. On December 13, 1998, Pastor David Dobbertien was officially installed and continues as pastor today. His wife Glenda is the Head Teacher and teaches Pre-school.

In 1942 provisions were made to establish a Christian Day School by adding a room at the rear of the church. There were 18 students in grades 1-8. The school was a success and enrollment increased to 26 pupils in 1944. When the maximum number of students were enrolled, the congregation seriously considered the erection of a school building.

A two-story brick school house was built east of the church. Enrollment jumped to 54 students in 1948. A second teacher was hired. When the school reached capacity, the congregation moved forward and built a new building to house the school and provide a large multi-purpose room for the school and church. The new Fellowship Hall & education unit was dedicated on June 29, 1980. Today St. Paul’s school has an enrollment of 34 students in K-5th grade and 34 preschools, 3 & 4 years old. St. Paul’s employs three teachers, two preschool teachers, and a para professional.