St. Paul’s Church is rooted in and nurtured by the Anglican tradition. Music of that tradition is an honored and vital part of our worship. So also is our maintaining a ceremonial liturgy focused on Holy Communion, the reverent proclamation of Holy Scripture, and sermons that relate to ordinary life. We respect the time-honored doctrines of the church and do our best to mirror Christ in welcoming as a brother or sister in Christ everyone who comes here.

Worship
Worship is central to the life of St. Paul’s. Everything we do is grounded in our understanding of our relationship with God in and through Jesus Christ. We celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:15 each Sunday morning (Summer, 8 & 10 at church and 8:30 on Jennings Beach). We understand God’s table to be a place of welcome inclusion and invite all baptized Christians to partake of the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Each service has its own character. The 8:00 Eucharist is a quiet, spoken Rite I service with a homily. The 9:15 is Rite II, led musically by our highly regarded choirs of trebles (boys and girls) and adults. As this service precedes Church School, it tends to draw families with children. The 11:15 is Rite II with music by a professional-quality adult choir. The Choir of Boys and Girls sings Evensong Thursdays at 6:00 during the school year. Small groups gather each Wednesday at 7:00 A.M. Bible Study followed by a fellowship breakfast at the local dinner.

Fellowship
Fellowship—the pleasure we experience in worshipping with, socializing with and belonging to a group of caring, welcoming Christians—brings many newcomers to our parish family. St. Paul’s congregation is made up of singles, couples and families of all ages who find common ground and interest in our intergenerational worship, community-based activities, and inclusive attitudes. Our St. Nicholas Fair and Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast are just two examples of annual events well-known throughout the region not just as fund-raisers, but as seasonal focal points of community pride and goodwill. We invite you to visit and take part in our various church events to experience this fellowship for yourself.

Music (Sept. - May) 
Music is a crucial part of worship at St. Paul’s. The Choirs of St. Paul’s provide choral leadership at the two sung Eucharists each Sunday. The Choir of Boys and Girls and the St. Paul’s Schola (the adults who sing the alto, tenor and bass parts) sing at the 9:15 service, and the St. Cecilia Choir of adults sings at the 11:15 service. Both choirs are anchored by professional section leaders and perform a wide variety of choral music from all periods. The Choir of Boys and Girls also sings Choral Evensong every Thursday at 6:00 P.M. during the school year.

Evensong, or Choral Evening Prayer
Thursdays 6:00 PM (Sept. - May)
In the Episcopal Church, the Daily Office, that is services of Morning and Evening Prayer, celebrate the sacramental nature of the daily and seasonal movement of time. 
Rooted in ancient monastic tradition, Morning and Evening Prayer focus on Holy Scripture as the Word of God. Prescribed portions of the Bible are read (the Lessons), and appointed Psalms are sung. The Canticles, lyrical selections from Scripture, are also sung, punctuating the readings from Scripture. At Evening Prayer the Canticles are the Song of Mary (Magnificat) and the Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis), both drawn from the Gospel of Luke. The Daily Office is thus anchored in Holy Scripture, and in the course of two years, the entire Bible is read through.

Evensong is conducted as a ‘choir’ service, that is, a service being held in the choir, or chancel, of the church, and sung primarily by the choir and Precentor (cantor). The congregation is invited to sing the hymns and to participate through listening, contemplation, and prayer.

Mission and Outreach
Service to those in need is a basic element of Christian life and faith. St. Paul’s parish provides, supports or sponsors many avenues of community outreach. Our members are active in various programs that provide housing, clothing, food, toys and household goods and practical and emotional support services. These programs are described in Service to the Community. Additionally, we provide facilities for local support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous; Adoption Healing; Mothers With Young Children; Co-Dependents Anonymous; and others.

St. Paul’s in 1863 History
St. Paul’s Church traces its roots to 1707, when Anglican clergy sent from England held services in Fairfield for families who wanted an alternative to the established Congregational Church. In 1724, a parish that eventually moved to Southport as Trinity Church was officially established in this area, using the rites of the Book of Common Prayer.

The present St. Paul’s was born in 1853, after a few parishioners formed a society for the purpose of building a new Episcopal church in Fairfield. The moving of the Fairfield County seat from Fairfield to Bridgeport made available for purchase the site of what was to have been a new county prison. In 1856, parishioners erected the present church over the foundation of the unfinished prison, which is still visible in the cellar beneath the church’s nave. The parish hall was added in 1928 and the education and office wing in 1959. In the renovations completed in 2004, the gathering space was created, a new slate roof was installed, and the parish hall area and office wing were modernized.

To read more about our history and see some photos from our archives, go to the History page.