St. Pauls was started as a mission station by the pastors of St. Martini Lutheran Church, Rev. Grother and Rev. Gotthold Loeber in the spring of 1925. A year later Rev. Erich Keller became missionary-at-large for the South Wisconsin District of the LCMS. He canvassed the West Allis area, held services, started a confirmation class, and supervised the start of the parochial school in September, 1926, with eight children enrolled. For two years services were held in a small, white frame chapel at 81st and Becher, rented for $35 per month.

The Grant Street School was our church, built in 1927 at a cost of $23,518 for the 45 by 48 foot building. The floor plan of this church was most unusual, with the san downstairs and two classrooms on the upper level. The chancel was at the west end of the lower level. The original altar was homemade, but later replaced with a white altar, pulpit, and lectern with gold trim, gifts from another Lutheran church.

Growth was slow for many years, but under the God-fearing direction of Dr. G. Christian Barth, the retired President of Concordia Seminary in Springfield, IL our membership increased. Land on Lincoln Avenue was procured and groundbreaking for a new church was held in July 1954. The church was 114 feet by 75 feet, a modified Gothic architectural design built with Lannon stone. The total cost of this building and furnishings was about $233,000. It was dedicated on September 18, 1955. Accelerated growth from 1955 to 1960 followed, communicant membership rose from 600 to 1280; day school enrollment from 67 to 187. So another building program was begun to construct six classrooms, offices, and a gym, and expand the church by 50%. The cost of this addition was $385,000 and was dedicated on September 17, 1961.

The next addition to our church complex was dedicated April 21, 1985. This consisted of a two-story addition along Lincoln Avenue including four classrooms, five offices for the church and school, a library, two new locker rooms, restrooms, a music room and storage areas. An elevator was included to reach the four main levels of our building. The cost for this addition was slightly over $500,000.

2002 marked the completion of the Early Childhood Center (ECC). After years of planning and overcoming many obstacles, the Grant Street School replacement is finally a reality. This building includes eight classrooms, a resource room for six to eight students, an office, workroom, volunteer room, kitchen, waiting room, and an activity room. Also included is a fenced-in playground and off-street parking for 13 cars. The building was designed to blend in with the neighboring houses. May its cross ever be a beacon of Christ. We trust that the ECC will be a blessing to many children and families for many years to come.