Our History |
According to church records, “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church began in the year 1868, when on the afternoon of July 12th the Rev. S.G. Hitchcock held a service in the little chapel on the Turnpike, located on the southeast corner of the Old Nyack Turnpike and what is now called Route 45.”
The Parish was officially organized on August 31st, with two wardens and eight vestrymen. The Church was incorporated under the New York State Religious Corporation Law on August 31, 1868. Records indicate that on September 20th, there were 12 people present for the celebration of Holy Communion. In an act of generosity, on March 10th 1870, Mr. H.W. Funston, in a letter to the Rector donated the lot where the church was built and currently stands.
According to church records, “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church began in the year 1868, when on the afternoon of July 12th the Rev. S.G. Hitchcock held a service in the little chapel on the Turnpike, located on the southeast corner of the Old Nyack Turnpike and what is now called Route 45.”
The Parish was officially organized on August 31st, with two wardens and eight vestrymen. The Church was incorporated under the New York State Religious Corporation Law on August 31, 1868. Records indicate that on September 20th, there were 12 people present for the celebration of Holy Communion. In an act of generosity, on March 10th 1870, Mr. H.W. Funston, in a letter to the Rector donated the lot where the church was built and currently stands.
On August 5th, 1872, the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, Bishop of New York, laid the cornerstone of our present church. The first service in our present structure was held on December 18, 1873. A Rectory was completed about 1899, and the Parish House in 1920. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the Rectory. God continues to bless us with other acts of generosity when we least expect it including being granted landmark status in 2008.
Today, we are a small but vibrant and welcoming church with a diverse congregation of about 82 families. We reach beyond the church to the larger community through outreach activities and active involvement in many community organizations.
Our outreach ministry includes our Free Community Dinner and Food Pantry, our senior’s outreach, and our newly sponsored Community Health Care, ng a grassroots community organization that provides clinical services in rural and urban communities in West Africa. We have much to be thankful for and we have a lot of work to do. We are presently in transition as we embark on a journey to select a priest which we have been without since July 2013.
We currently have Reverend. Cheryl Parris as our interim pastor. We have been blessed to maintain a steady congregation and attendance during this period. This time period has taught us that we have a strong congregation and that we are capable of preserving the church in all of its duties and endeavors.
Our outreach ministry includes our Free Community Dinner and Food Pantry, our senior’s outreach, and our newly sponsored Community Health Care, ng a grassroots community organization that provides clinical services in rural and urban communities in West Africa. We have much to be thankful for and we have a lot of work to do. We are presently in transition as we embark on a journey to select a priest which we have been without since July 2013.
We currently have Reverend. Cheryl Parris as our interim pastor. We have been blessed to maintain a steady congregation and attendance during this period. This time period has taught us that we have a strong congregation and that we are capable of preserving the church in all of its duties and endeavors.
Our mission Statement
“A fellowship of Christians seeking to know and serve Jesus Christ by following his teachings, embracing diversity and serving the community and the world through faith, love, prayer and action.”
“A fellowship of Christians seeking to know and serve Jesus Christ by following his teachings, embracing diversity and serving the community and the world through faith, love, prayer and action.”
