The ancestors of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church date back to 1859 when missionary Thomas William Luther Dosh organized a Lutheran group in Grafton. Later that year two lots were purchased in Grafton on Washington and Lafayette Street. The congregation was served and led by various missionaries and area pastors. In 1868, Rev. J.H. Cupp of the Virginia Synod reported the Lutheran Grafton congregation had obtained the services of a Lutheran pastor from Wheeling who could preach both in German and English. Perfect for their needs.

A few years later Rev. Cupp returned to Grafton with a seminary student W.C. Schaeffer who was presented as a missionary pastor. Seminarian Schaeffer preached that Tuesday evening and soon entered into agreement to become their pastor. Rev. Schaeffer served both the Grafton church as well as Piedmont, using the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as a mode of parish transportation. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church began construction in 1871. The entire building cost the congregation $8,300. 

From 1966-1970, services were conducted by supply pastors. In March 1969, following several months' planning and discussion by a joint committee a joint Sunday School was initiated along with First Presbyterian Church. This initial joint ministry helped pave the way for people coming together to form The Church of The Covenenat in 1972.