History of Saint Paul's

St. Paul’s Church was founded in Wilmington, NC in 1858 at the corner of Fourth and Orange Street. Even during the Civil War it was one of the first integrated congregations and had “free” pews rather than the then customary practice of having to pay for designated seating in family pews. In 1869 following the Civil War St. Paul’s helped found still functioning St. Mark’s Church, the first Black Episcopal Church in all of North Carolina.

In 1912 St. Paul’s moved to its present location on the corner of Market and 16th Streets. The present building, completed in 1953, is the third such church building on this site and follows a fire that destroyed a previous nave. The Parish Hall Building complex was renovated in 1973 and the magnificent John and Isabel James Memorial Goulding & Wood Opus 26 pipe organ was dedicated on Easter of 1995. An additional second rear gallery organ with Fanfare Trumpets was given by Hazel Savage in 1999.

The Balcony triptych stained-glass window featuring St. Paul is made of Dresden glass dedicated to Bishop Atkinson who was the first rector of St. Paul’s Church. The Agnus Dei window over the high altar is made of Egyptian glass.

Today St. Paul’s continues to be a thriving, open-minded, diverse community of faith as embodied in the mission statement.

  Mission Statement:

The mission of St. Paul's is to be the people of God and  to celebrate God's reconciling presence in our midst through worship, fellowship, service and education in bringing all people into the redemptive grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

16 North 16th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401  Phone: 910-762-4578