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New St. Paul's Community Baptist Church 1

New St. Paul's Community Baptist Church is in the former St. Paul's Swedish Lutheran Church building at 1011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

On May 6, 2003, the St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church (St. Paul's Swedish Lutheran Church) was designated Oakland Landmark #134, under Zoning Case #LM02-463. 2

On the sidewalk next to the church is a 10,000 Steps marker for Mother Mary Ann Wright, who fed the needy in Lafayette Square Park across the street for many years.

St. Paul's Swedish Lutheran History

St. Paul's Swedish Lutheran Church was organized January 23, 1887 under Pastor A.M. Leveau and the first church building was at 9th and Clay. In 1898, Pastor August J. Rodell came to the congregation. A new church was built at 10th and Grove (MLK) Streets, and was dedicated in 1901. 4 The cornerstone of the building says "Lutheran Church 1900 A.D." which is when the cornerstone was laid. The building was designed by D. Franklin Oliver. 5

On December 7, 1906, August J. Rodell, died suddenly of a stroke. Rodell lived nearby at 911 Grove (MLK) with his wife, Josephine Rodell and his daughter Ruby Rodell. 3

In 1920,  Rev. C. Arthur Johnson became the pastor. There was some conflict between members of the church. Many Swedish-born wanted to keep their mother tongue, while many American-born wanted sermons in English. Johnson solved the problem by alternating Sundays between Swedish and English. 4

The church purchased land in the 1930s, completed a building and moved to Glenview in 1949. It is now known as St. Paul Lutheran. 4

Lutheran Memorial Chapel for the Deaf

The 1951 Sanborn labels it the Lutheran Memorial Chapel for the Deaf. It is listed in the 1969 directory.

New St. Paul's Community Baptist Church

Under pastor Flemon Henry, the building was purchased in the 1970s and became the New St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church. 5 It has been called New St. Paul's Community Baptist Church since at least 2006.

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1912 Sanborn excerpt1951 Sanborn excerpt

Links and References

  1. Designated Landmarks, Heritage Properties, and Preservation Districts City of Oakland

  2. New St. Paul's church trying for landmark status by Annalee Allen Oakland Tribune May 4, 2003

  3. Rev. A. J. Rodell Dies Suddenly San Francisco Call December 7, 1906
  4. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oakland Almost 100 Years Old Vestkusten October 6, 1986
  5. Childhood memories fuel mission to restore church by Annalee Allen Oakland Tribune September 18, 2005
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