About St. Paul's Episcopal
Church
Our Mission
We are a nurturing parish, and we welcome everyone in the name
of Christ. We are dedicated to growing spiritually and sharing
Christ's love through inspiring worship, lively fellowship, and
joyful service to the community.
Christmas |
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 I 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 |
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. |
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.
To read more about our history and see the Ages Past Calendar
Photos in PDF go to:
St Paul’s Celebrates its 150th Year
© 2003 St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church, All Rights Reserved.
