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Location & History
In our St. Paul's neighborhood today, within the radius of a mile, you find both a downtown building boom and vacant storefronts; upscale condominiums and impoverished communities; a business district and a farmer's market; city, state and federal offices. From our unique location on Capitol Square, St. Paul's people have participated in city, state and national history. In some instances, we are proud; in others, repentant.
St. Paul's was built in 1845, using slave labor. During the Civil War parishioners fought and died to preserve Virginia independence. Later, many of us fought for Civil Rights. Our 1958 decision to remain "in the heart of the City" committed us to seek to "do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God" in service to the entire downtown community.
In small group meetings, parishioners shared their vision of St. Paul's. One saw St. Paul's as "the Monday-Friday church for all who work downtown" and another as "a leader in social and racial healing." Service is our call.
