Paintertown Evangelical Lutheran Church, Irwin, Pa., was organized in 1946, the end of World War II, and the beginning of the baby boom. For many years there had been a Sunday School that met in the Paintertown Elementary School. However, in the fall of 1945, a group of local citizens decided that they would like to have a church. With much of the credit goes to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Irwin and its pastor, Paul N. Schnur, the lot on which the church is built was also purchased by the Irwin church as a gift. There were 121 names on the original charter.

Organization of the church took approximately 12 weeks, and on January 20, 1946, the first service was conducted by the Rev. H. Edmund Pfeifer at the Paintertown Elementary School. The church was officially organized on April 7, 1946, as part of the Trafford-Paintertown Parish. After the sermon by Rev. H. Reed Shepfer, president of the Pittsburgh Synod, Pastor Schnur accounced that Holy Trinity Lutheran Church had purchased property opposite the Paintertown School, for the congregation. Until the Sanctuary was built, worship was held at the School. Despite the fact that the school had only 45 seats, the average attendance was over 100 per week.

In April, 1948, a ground-breaking service was held, with Mrs. C.K. Geiger digging the first shovelful of ground. On May 22, 1949, the congregation met at the Paintertown School, where services had been held, and marched down to the new church. Pastor Edmund Pfeifer, the first Pastor, unlocked the doors on the new church building and entered, followed by the members and friends.

Since the dedication, many new things have been added such as a Martin Luthern Room, built onto the side, the complete bricking of the building, and carpeting. Stained glass windows were given in memory of loved ones, a Rodgers organ was purchased and a stainless steel cross was added to the front of the church. Many gifts were received from other churches and individuals, too numerous to mention, but greatly appreciated.

In December, 1962, a new parsonage was completed. It was dedicated in June, 1963, with an open house, attended by a large crowd. The parsonage is a red brick house located across Paintertown Road from the church.

The Paintertown School and a large piece of land were purchased by the church in 1974 and remodeled into a Sunday School by 1978, consisting of ten classrooms, a library, a study for the pastor, a kitchen and a large social room. This building was done completely by the men. The building was dedicated May 22, 1983, as the William Mitchell Learning Center. On December 15, 1986, a tragic fire damaged the building and it had to be restored to its original beauty.

Paintertown Evangelical Lutheran Church knows the importance of reaching out to children and families, and contines to provide a vital ministry to the community through Worship, an active Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, several youth groups, women's group, men's dart ball group, a summer reading program and mini-day camp. Many volunteers work together to keep the ministry of the congregation alive and Spirit-led.

Ten ministers have served the congregation during these past years and our membership is still growing!