In 1955, the Lutheran Synodical Conference resolved to open up new missions in Florida, specifically targeting Americans of African descent. The Rev. William Jones arrived in Jacksonville, explored the Magnolia Garden/Floradale communities and received authorization to purchase property at 2730 Edgewood Avenue West on May 14^th at a cost of $7,250.00.   Construction of a worship facility priced at $30,000.00 began January 10, 1956 and was completed three months later.

While the church was under construction, Pastor Jones visited with families in hundreds of homes in the Magnolia Garden and Floradale communities, informing them about the developing Lutheran Church in their neighborhood. On Sunday, April 22, at 3:30pm a Dedication Worship Service and Concert was held. In addition to an entourage of 50 Lutherans from Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida (Clergy Chair of the Missionary Board, the College Radio Chorus/Academy), representatives numbering 50 from local Lutheran churches, some 200 men, women and children from the surrounding community attended the dedication.

Since our initial church beginning our congregation has been blessed through the spiritual leadership of eight permanent pastors. On September 1, 1957, missionary, Rev. William Jones installed the Rev. James Bowman as the first permanent pastor. At that time, there were 62 communicants and 125 baptized members. In 1959, the Rev. Floyd T. McAdoo, the first African-American pastor began a four-year pastorate which saw the membership extend beyond the Magnolia Garden/Floradale area. The Rev. Gerald Quiram followed Pastor McAdoo in 1963, serving as vacancy pastor for a year. Under his leadership the congregation stepped out in faith and began to develop plans for its first renovation project. The renovation work was completed under the leadership of the Rev. Paul Labrenz, a young minister who came to St. Paul July 19, 1964 from California. While leading the membership to grow in God’s Word, he also challenged the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Florida-Georgia District over their policies of segregation.

During the years 1964 – 1967, the congregation became increasingly concerned for the poor and got involved in the civil rights movement. The Rev. Michael Wendt, who served as vacancy pastor after Rev. Labrenz’s departure for the West coast, encouraged the congregation to become involved in the development of Lutheran Inner City Center (LICC), which was later renamed Hollybrook Homes.

The pastoral vacancy period ended when the Rev. Dale G. Gatz, was called to be the next pastor of St. Paul.   Pastor Gatz continued the congregation involvement in the LICC ministry. Partnering with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Florida- Georgia District, 182 subsidized housing units were eventually constructed. Under his pastorate, St. Paul’s membership voted to take responsibility for its own financial mission and ministry affairs. On November 26, 1972, after sixteen years of LCMS and the Florida-Georgia District subsidy, members of the congregation signed a financial “Declaration of Independence.” Since that time, we have been blessed by continuous stewardship growth and giving. On the occasion of the church’s 24^th anniversary, the current Sunday School wing was named the “William A. Jones Education Wing” in memory of the organizing missionary pastor. Pastor Gatz went on to serve the congregation for thirteen years, developing the “Song and Service Supplement” and the “Our Life Newsletter.” He left our church family to become the CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida.

The Rev. Arnold Hilpert, served for two years as vacancy pastor until the Rev. Duane Geary accepted the Call. Pastor Geary introduced the congregation to many different aspects of liturgical worship and meditation. It was during his pastorate that the congregation purchased the Lutheran Book of Worship, with Mr. Edgar Graham providing musical leadership to aid the congregation’s familiarity with the new liturgies. Pastor Geary later accepted a call to a congregation in Tennessee and in his absence, the Rev. Mark Yates served as vacancy pastor.

In spite of a long vacancy period, the congregation continued to grow spiritually. This period of growth was continued under the spiritual leadership of the Rev. Frank T. Marshall, Sr., who accepted the Call to St. Paul in August 1986. After serving the longest tenure of any pastor of St. Paul, Pastor Marshall formally retired after 24 years of faithful service August, 2010.

The Rev. James Wiggins, Jr., was installed as our seventh undershepherd of Jesus on Sunday, January 30, 2011. The following year after a very successful congregational retreat at Epworth By the Sea, St. Simons Island, Georgia, a new church vision and motto was cast and adopted.  On March 23, 2021, the death of our shepherd, Rev. James Wiggins. Jr, deeply saddened SPLC. We beseeched the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, comfort, and sustain us during our time of grief and sorrow. Pastor Emeritus Rev. Frank Marshall, Sr. became our interim shepherd and faithfully served while SPLC began the Call Process. 

On February 20, 2022, the congregation of Saint Paul Lutheran Church extended a “Call” to Rev. Stephen Albert Wiggins Sr. to serve as our next Shepherd. In the name of the Triune God and by His authority we asked Rev. Wiggins to accept, lead, guide, and support the building of His church here at SPLC.  On June 12, 2022, Rev.  Wiggins became our “New Shepherd.” 

One of the first challenges facing Pastor Stephen upon his arrival was to re-open the congregation back to in person worship coming out of the Covid 19 disease shutdown. In order to keep those who could not attend connected, he moved the worship service from just being recorded weekly to live streaming the worship weekly. Pastor Stephen then led the congregation in the redevelop of it Mission Statement and it‘s church motto listed below:

Our Mission

We Extend outreach to unbelievers,
Exalt praises to God,
Commune with our earthly family,
Enlighten believers in God’s Word and,
Engage in service to the community.”