About Salem English Lutheran Church:
Company Size: 5+ employees
Where: Minneapolis, MN
Client Industry: House of worship | Religious org | Church
Joined OnPay: March 2014
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Building an inclusive community rooted in faith and open to all
Salem English Lutheran Church has welcomed worshippers from diverse backgrounds since 1890 and was one of the first Lutheran congregations west of Chicago to use English as its primary language. In 2006, church leaders decided to close its doors and reimagine its ministry, joining forces with Lyndale United Church of Christ and, later, First Christian Church to form the SpringHouse Ministry Center. The shared community space continues to thrive today, sharing a renewed spirit of faith and community engagement.
THE CHALLENGE
Making payroll simpler and more affordable
Like many small businesses, Salem kept a close eye on the bottom line. When Laurie joined as an office administrator, the church was using a well-known payroll provider. However, as costs started to creep up, it made sense to start shopping around — especially since there were countless added fees for services they were not even using. Plus, customer support always seemed to come up short when Salem’s team had questions or needed assistance with tax filings.
Their priorities were clear: they needed reliable customer support, accurate tax management, and a solution to fit their budget. At the top of their list of “must-haves” were:
- An affordable online solution with accessible customer support and no hidden fees
- Software that accommodates part-time staff with varying schedules and pay rates
- Automated tax deductions with simple Social Security and Medicare (FICA) exemptions for clergy members
THE SOLUTION
Saving time and money with the OnPay x TechSoup network
The team researched OnPay’s features and pricing with TechSoup, a marketplace of vendors and resources for nonprofits. After talking with OnPay customer support, it was clear that they had found a vendor they could rely on without breaking the budget. Once onboarding was complete, Laurie took over the bookkeeping.
HOUSE OF WORSHIP REVIEW
“OnPay is a great service for a small organization, with helpful customer service and good pricing.”
— Laurie Z., Salem Lutheran English Church
Since switching to OnPay, Salem has cut payroll costs in half, while payroll processing now takes Laurie an hour or less each month. Staffers benefit too, with direct access to their own pay stubs through self-service employee accounts. Plus, OnPay automates all tax filings, payments, and special FICA exemptions for clergy members, making it a true convenience for the organization. More than just user-friendly, OnPay delivers reliable support that feels like a true partnership, allowing Salem to focus on what they do best — creating a welcoming space for all who seek refuge in faith.
