St. Paul’s is a community of faith. We serve Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, study, and service and warmly welcome all people to join us in Christian worship and fellowship.
Mission Statement
St. Paul’s mission is to serve Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, study, and service in the tradition of the Episcopal Church in the Anglican communion. We warmly welcome all persons to join with us in Christian worship and fellowship. Our calling as a congregation is to live our faith as deeply and devotedly as we can and be a house of prayer for all people.
History
The Episcopal Church in Westfield dates back to the spring of 1867, when The Reverend Philemon Coe started Grace Episcopal Church in Westfield after having started the Episcopal Church in Plainfield. The parish was later known as Christ Church and became St. Paul’s Church in 1894. The current building was constructed in 1952 with additional buildings added in 1960, including the chapel, 15 additional classrooms, a lounge, choir room, offices, cloister and garth.
St. Paul’s has a long history of serving the community and the Diocese of New Jersey. Church services include two celebrations of the Eucharist on Sunday and a healing service on Thursdays. Holy days are celebrated together with additional liturgies throughout the year, such as sung Evensong and Festivals of Lessons and Carols. The parish also participates in numerous community activities, including a monthly Mission Kitchen at St. John’s Church in Elizabeth, bread deliveries, toy drives, and other outreach programs.
Music
Music has been an integral part of the history of St. Paul’s including a choir of men and boys which existed for nearly a century. From the 1980s on, the choir has consisted of men and women supplemented by professional singers. There is also a hand bell choir, as well as children’s choir opportunities at special services during the year.
Day School
The creation of St. Paul’s Day School in the 1950s has been an important feature of the parish. The school’s preschool and kindergarten programs provide an enriching experience for children ranging in age from two-and-a-half through six years of age. The Day School strives to enhance children’s emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual and physical growth in a Christian setting of nurturing and love. Additionally, the church offers a Time for Twos preschool program for those children who are not quite old enough to start at the Day School.
