St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Santa Monica, founded in 1926, is a congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), committed to living out our faith through worship, learning, service, and by pursuing justice, reconciliation and wholeness for all. The word "evangelical" in both the name of our congregation and of our denomination means that we are centered in the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.

We fully embrace our Lutheran theological heritage, which invites us to be radically inclusive and wholly welcoming of all regardless of race, age, ability, gender expression, or ethnicity. St. Paul’s is an inclusive and inter-generational Christian community in which faith relationships with God are nurtured and deepened.

We are also a Reconciling in Christ congregation within the ELCA since 2001. "Reconciling in Christ" means that St. Paul's Lutheran Church has adopted an affirmation of welcome for all people, but particularly those who might not feel welcome in other faith communities. We are intentional in our embrace and inclusion of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals.