St. Paul United Church of Christ in Corpus Christi holds a rich legacy within the scenic Coastal Bend region of Texas. Over time, the church has undergone several name transformations that reflect its evolving journey. In the summer of 1895, the esteemed Reverend C. Knicker embarked on a visit to Corpus Christi, driven by his mission to assess the prevailing conditions, a crucial step towards laying the groundwork for a German Mission. In the chronicles of Mr. Knicker’s writings, a notable observation emerges: a lack of enthusiastic community response.

Fast forward to the autumn of 1911, precisely on September 4th, Reverend C. Knicker graced Corpus Christi with his presence once again, finding the circumstances notably more conducive to the establishment of a mission. Thus, on the auspicious date of November 19, 1911, the mission came into existence under the moniker “Die Deutsche Evangelische Trinitatis Gemeinde,” which translates to “The German Evangelical Trinity Congregation.” The honor of being the inaugural pastor befell the Reverend Robert Hinze, and congregational gatherings commenced along Mestina Street.

A chapter later, on September 22, 1912, the congregation shifted its meeting venue to the First Presbyterian Church, marking a pivotal shift in their trajectory. A parsonage found its place on Avenue A, a residence leased by the Congregation to further solidify their presence in the community. The financial landscape of those closing six months in 1912 paints a humble picture, with a congregational income amounting to a mere $9.46.


On the 25th of July, 1915, a pivotal moment transpired as Reverend John Biegeleisen officiated the inaugural service, a gathering that unfolded within the Seaside Pavilion on the Central Wharf. This unique location, initially a dance pavilion along the waterfront, bore witness to this event. The attendee count stood at a modest six individuals, and the collection from this assembly tallied up to a precise $1.00.

As September of the same year rolled around, a shift in venue occurred, marking a transition to 923 Laredo Street. This venue served a dual purpose, also functioning as the parsonage for the burgeoning church. A significant alteration took place in 1916, as the church’s nomenclature underwent another transformation, resulting in its new identity as the First Evangelical Church. The timeline of March in that year marked the acquisition of a plot at the juncture of Craig and Chamberlain Streets, secured at a cost of $500, designated for the construction of a forthcoming edifice.

However, the specter of the First World War cast its shadow over the church’s path. By September 1918, services were halted in response to a ban on the public use of the German language, a consequence of the wartime circumstances.

A new phase commenced in 1919, with church assemblies finding their home within the premises of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, later relocating to the confines of the First Christian Church. By 1920, yet another alteration in identity unfolded, christening the church as the United Evangelical Church. In the opening month of the same year, a significant development emerged—a contract was formalized for the acquisition of two lots and a house positioned at the intersection of Laredo Avenue and King Street, demanding a sum of $2,800. Plans once again took shape for the construction of a dedicated church structure.

The narrative stretched into February 1921, during which time services continued within the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Notably, this period witnessed a bilingual service format, with services conducted in both the German and English languages. By October 1921, construction of the inaugural church edifice commenced at the corner of Laredo and King. Concurrently, a strategic decision led to the allocation of the corner lot on Craig and Chamberlain to a lumber company, in exchange for valuable building materials, further propelling the church’s journey.


During the waning days of 1921, a profound moment unfolded as dedication services commemorated the completion of the novel United Evangelical Church. Leading this significant occasion were Pastors Strauss and Biegeleisen, their presence lending a solemnity to the proceedings. The financial investment in this remarkable edifice amounted to $2,500, a testament to the dedication of the congregation.

A transformative shift materialized in October 1931 when a unanimous decision was reached to transition all services to the English language. This transition marked an important juncture, with the church’s fiscal sustenance coming from rental properties alongside the generous support extended by the Home Missions Board of the Evangelical Synod, the very ecclesiastical body to which the congregation held allegiance.

Progressing into 1938, a pivotal development transpired as a contract worth $2,788.75 was awarded for the construction of the Sunday Church School building. This annex encompassed dimensions of 30 feet by 40 feet, embracing within its layout three well-appointed classrooms, a versatile meeting room complete with a stage, a functional kitchen, and convenient restroom facilities. The dawn of 1939 ushered in the realization of raising funds to settle the financial obligations tied to the newly constructed building. Concurrently, the backdrop of the war in Europe prompted the discontinuation of special afternoon services conducted in the German language.

Stepping into March of 1942, a consequential decision was taken: the church’s rental property situated on Topo Street was divested, with the proceeds earmarked for a future relocation endeavor. Following an in-depth congregational study that unfolded from August to November of 1945, a resolute choice emerged. The church community opted to acquire a property on Texan Trail at South Alameda, paving the way for a new chapter in their journey. To materialize this acquisition, a request for $2,900 was extended to the Board of National Missions of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

This transformative period also sparked a series of discussions among the members, with a consensus emerging that a more biblically inspired name was in order for the congregation, signifying the evolving essence of their faith community.

A transformative decision swept through the congregation, culminating in the sale of the church property nestled on Laredo Avenue, an exchange that fetched $17,000 in cash. Remarkably, the congregation sought the goodwill of the buyers, a community of Spanish-speaking Mormons, seeking permission to retain the cornerstone of the Sunday School Building. This cornerstone now resides in the narthex wall at the present St. Paul’s location on Lipes Boulevard.

Embracing a biblical inspiration, the congregation collectively embraced the name “St. Paul,” a reflection of their renewed identity. With this shift, the church’s nomenclature underwent a transformation, christened as the St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church.

In a watershed moment, the wheels of progress commenced in September 1950 as ground was ceremoniously broken, signaling the forthcoming birth of a new edifice. A significant milestone came to pass in December of the same year, witnessed by the laying of a red granite cornerstone, a testament to the foundation of the envisioned structure.

Continuing this journey, the Fellowship Hall garnered its dedicated moment in the spotlight in June 1954, followed by the inauguration of the new educational wing in January 1959. The close of that transformative year saw the installation and consecration of the intricate glass windows within the church, these fourteen panels narrating the profound Biblical narrative from Creation to the Incarnation and Resurrection. These windows later found a home in the present Lipes Boulevard location.

An important financial achievement was celebrated in 1960 as the sanctuary of the Texan Trail church was declared debt-free, underscoring the congregation’s resilience and financial prudence.

The year 1964 marked another significant shift for St. Paul Church, a direct result of the 1957 merger that birthed the United Church of Christ from the amalgamation of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Responding to this evolving ecclesiastical landscape, the church rebranded itself once more, adopting the new identity of St. Paul United Church of Christ.

However, a devastating incident struck in June 1988 when a fire, set by an arsonist, laid waste to the church sanctuary situated at 502 Texan Trail. A brief period of relocation ensued as the church temporarily gathered at the First Christian Church, later returning to Texan Trail. Here, worship resumed within the Fellowship Hall, a resilient testament to the congregation’s unwavering spirit.

Simultaneously, the year 1988 ushered in a profound transformation as the church embraced a renewed vision and status as a “renewal church.” This pivotal juncture also witnessed a decision to set forth on a new trajectory, one that encompassed a relocation initiative to facilitate the construction of a fresh edifice. The year 1989 saw the induction of Reverend David Pantermuehl as pastor, coinciding with the sale of the property at 502 Texan Trail to Whataburger.

The year 1990 marked the commencement of worship in an unconventional setting—Bill Spencer’s Piano & Organ store—a transitional phase eventually leading to a move to 5420 Everhart in the Stonegate Center. Amid these changes, the year 1990 also saw the acquisition of 3.2 acres at 5525 Lipes Boulevard, a transaction that carried a price tag of $215,000. A groundbreaking ceremony in 1991 signaled the initiation of a new chapter at the Lipes location.

During this period, as the congregation found its bearings, services were temporarily held at the Luther Jones Elementary School. The year 1991 brought with it a dual celebration—St. Paul’s congregation marking its 80th anniversary, a poignant testament to its enduring journey.

The construction of the new church was meticulously orchestrated to incorporate nearly every piece of stained glass salvaged from the Texan Trail building. The inaugural services unfolded at this novel location on November 17, 1991, an auspicious date that marked the first footsteps into this new chapter. It was during this time that Reverend David Pantermuehl was officially installed as the pastor, with the dedication of the new church resounding on February 23, 1992.

A transformative moment materialized in October 1998 as the congregation collectively voted to embrace the status of an Open and Affirming congregation within the United Church of Christ, a testament to their inclusive ethos. The subsequent years saw a change in leadership dynamics as Reverend Mr. Pantermuehl embarked on a new journey, accepting a call to serve at Grace UCC in Houston in 2002.

Following a period marked by the guidance of supply pastors, a significant transition ensued in 2008 with the congregation extending a call to Reverend Mr. Charles Staggemeier Brown as their pastor and teacher. In his trial sermon, Pastor Charles imparted a vision for St. Paul, envisioning it as a community of “Resurrection People, a Kingdom Family, and The Everybody Church.” A momentous centenary was celebrated in 2011, marking St. Paul’s 100th year of existence.

The year 2013 brought with it a shift as Reverend Brown retired, paving the way for Reverend Tom Dowdy, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, to assume the role of interim pastor.

A decisive moment arrived on September 21, 2014, when the congregation, in unified agreement, extended a unanimous call to Reverend Mr. Burton Bagby-Grose to serve as their pastor and teacher. In his compelling trial sermon, Pastor Burton underscored the profound concept that “grace is not getting what we deserve,” and highlighted the inherent equality that lies within God’s gifts, as exemplified by the parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard.”

Pastor Burton’s ministry among us commenced the subsequent November, accompanied by the joyful arrival of his daughter Rosalee in March of 2015, followed by his partner Ron’s heartening presence in April after their Houston home’s sale. During this phase, a remarkable surge unfolded, with weekly worship attendance witnessing a notable 45 percent rise from the close of 2014 to the conclusion of 2017.

Hand in hand with the church leadership, Pastor Burton embarked on a mission to rekindle St. Paul’s longstanding commitment to Christ-centered service (missions) and evangelism. Post his arrival, the congregation initiated a monthly outreach, providing nourishment to the homeless at Metro Ministries on Leopard Street. A new chapter was penned with regular engagement on the campus of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, the establishment of a Girl Scout Troop, an expanded role in the CROP Hunger Walk fundraising efforts, sponsorship of children through the Settegast Heights Village Christmas Gift Project, stewardship of a section of Cole Park Beach under the Texas Adopt-A-Beach initiative, the initiation of a school supply project for disaster victims, and the rekindling of youth participation in Slumber Falls Camp after a decade-long hiatus.

This period also bore testament to St. Paul’s distinction as an official United Church of Christ Renewing Congregation in 2015, a prestigious recognition that coincided with Pastor Burton’s role as the official Renewing Church Pastor.

Amidst the challenges of 2017, St. Paul Church exhibited its profound sense of community and compassion. During August and September, over 800 emergency cleanup buckets were dispatched to Hurricane Harvey survivors in Port Aransas, buoyed by the support of Church World Service, the National United Church of Christ Disaster Recovery Ministries, and UCC congregations in the Illinois South Conference and New England.

In the present day, St. Paul Church remains dedicated to its enduring legacy of proclaiming the all-encompassing love inherent in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ongoing endeavor to become a “Place Where Heart, Mind, and Spirit Meet” stands as a testament to this commitment.

Our Settled Pastors

(all are/were authorized ordained ministers of the Evangelical Synod of North America, the Evangelical and Reformed Church or the United Church of Christ)

Pastor                             Commenced Pastorate   Closed Pastorate

Rev. Robert Hinze            December 1911               March 1912

Rev J. Werkenthin            July 1912                         Spring 1913

Rev. John Biegeleisin       August 1915                    January 1917

Rev. William Kulps            February 1917                September 1918

Rev. J. C. Melchert            September 1919            July 1920

Rev. Carl Kurz                   February 1921                Fall 1931

Rev. Martin Ernst               July 1932                       November 1934

Rev. Carl Mueller               September 1935.           September 1941

Rev. Roy Gieselmann        November 1941             March 1944

Rev. Jost B. Washburn      July 1944                       September 1951

Rev. Edward Mayer           January 1952                 November 1961

Rev. Edwin M. Schaefer    August 1962                  June 1976

Rev. Veral M. Seagraves   October 1976                November 1979

Rev. Joseph Charlebois     September 1980           June 1984

Rev. Charles Beitler           November 1984            August 1988

Rev. David Pantermuehl    October 1989                September 2002

Rev. Charles S. Brown       December 2007          June 2013

Rev. Burton Bagby-Grose  November 2014          December 2017

Interim Pastor Tom Neilsen January 2018

The First Congregational Church-United Church of Christ

On November 24, 1866, the First Congregational Church of Corpus Christi, Texas, was established under the guidance of Reverend Arron Rowe, a chaplain who had served during the Civil War. Following the war’s conclusion, Reverend Rowe journeyed to Corpus Christi and encountered a community, particularly the freed slaves, in dire need of a place for worship. Initial services were held within a home until a church structure was raised on North Broadway, near the present location of the Greyhound bus terminal. For years, the church’s steeple stood as a guiding beacon for mariners navigating their way into the port of Corpus Christi. After numerous years of devoted service in that locale, the parsonage was relocated, and in 1967, a new church edifice was consecrated at 2927 Noakes. Regarded as one of the oldest African-American churches in Texas, the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ (UCC) holds a storied legacy.

During its 96th anniversary year in 1962, the First Congregational Church undertook a process of ecumenical collaboration with fellow Congregational churches and congregations from the Evangelical and Reformed Church, culminating in the formation of the United Church of Christ. This merger, which had been realized in 1957, led the First Congregational Church UCC to actively contribute to the establishment of the Lay Life and Work agency and the South Texas Association, vital components within the framework of the South Central Conference of the UCC.

The United Church of Christ’s historical lineage can be traced back to the colonial era of America and the transformative Reformation Movement in Europe. The roots of Congregationalism within the United States can be found in the founding of Plymouth, Massachusetts, by the Pilgrims, and the establishment of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony by the Puritans, both significant events that transpired in the 1620s.

The final pastoral leader of the First Congregational Church UCC was Reverend Mr. Williams. As the 1970s arrived, the church’s journey concluded, and some of its members integrated into the community of St. Paul United Church of Christ. A poignant symbol of this transition, the bell from the First Congregational Church UCC now graces the lawn at the entrance to St. Paul, an enduring emblem of the connection between these two faith communities.

No matter who you are, and no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at St. Paul UCC!