Look for the church with striking twin spires, brown brickwork, and pointed arches, standing proudly right at the corner across from the traffic lights.
Right in front of you stands St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, looking every bit like something straight out of a storybook with its impressive twin towers and tall windows watching over Appleton since 1907. Imagine what it felt like over a century ago: men in bowler hats and women in long dresses bustling around, all pausing for a moment as the church’s bells rang out over the street. This church was built when automobiles were rarities, and Appleton was still dreaming big. Its red brick walls have seen generations gather-feasts, weddings, heartfelt debates, and perhaps a few epic Lutheran potlucks. What’s the secret twist? St. Paul’s architectural beauty is such a stand-out example that it landed itself a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. So, while you’re admiring the towers, think of all the quiet prayers, loud hymns, and maybe a few slightly off-key choir notes that have filled this space for more than a hundred years. This church is living history, open to anyone who wants to admire, wonder, or just marvel at how many bricks it must have taken to build those spires!
