The History of St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s was established in 1852 as the “City Mission,” an outreach of Christ Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Savannah. It was founded on the principles of the Oxford Movement, which was gaining traction in both England and the United States during this period. St. Paul’s, like many other Anglo-Catholic parishes, seeks to express the Catholic tradition of Anglicanism in its worship and in its attempts to live the Christian life with faithfulness and authenticity.
The parish was founded as a “free church” (meaning there were no rented pews, a rarity in the 19th century) and continues to value the openness and inclusivity that this implies. Today, our parishioners come from a wide range of religious, political, social, and economic backgrounds.
The Parish of St. Paul the Apostle is blessed with an architecturally significant building in the Gothic Revival style, designed by John Sutcliffe. The distinctive nave (from the Latin “navis” meaning ship) is a typical stylistic feature in ecclesiastical architecture. The vaulted ceilings, timber beams, and curved arches mirror the inverted hull of a wooden ship or boat, with symbolism dating back to the early church which viewed the church Noah’s Ark or the “Ship of St. Peter” serving as a vessel that carries the faithful safely through the chaotic storms and waters of the world toward the harbor of heaven.
We encourage you to kneel and pray, light a candle and join us in praying for the peace and unity of the Church, the nation and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the needs of local communities, those who suffer, and the departed.
