How We Started

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is the oldest continuous religious organization in Bloomsburg, actually predating the town. The parish was organized as early as 1790 as Saint Paul's, Fishing Creek Township, Northumberland County. In 1793, Elisha Barton was the deputy from the parish to the convention of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. In that convention, held at Christ Church, Philadelphia, the parish was admitted to the diocese. In that same year, the Reverend Caleb Hopkins was appointed minister of the territory within the branches of the Susquehanna. Hopkins also helped to establish and minister to Saint Gabriel's, Sugarloaf, and Christ Church, Derry (later called Jerseytown). The latter church ceased to exist about 1844. In addition, Hopkins officiated at Muncy, Milton, and Saint James in Exchange.

First Church

In 1793, a crude log building was erected on the west side of the road "leading from the house of Esquire Elisha Barton to Berwick" (Beers 140). This church had no fireplace, but was heated by means of charcoal fires set in small holes dug in the earthen floor, the smoke sometimes hiding the rector's face. The acre of ground on which the church stood was deeded to the parish by Joseph Long for the nominal sum of five shillings.

Later Structure

The log building was replaced in 1827 by a frame building of larger size which continued in use until the third structure of brick was built, with the cornerstone laid in July, 1837, on the site now occupied by the rectory. In fact, the foundation of the rectory today rests on the brick foundation of the second church building. The bell from the brick church sat in the corridor leading to the parish house until the new carpet was laid.

Present Church Building

The cornerstone of the present building was laid in September, 1868, with the first service held on October 28, 1870. The limestone edifice of Gothic design with lancet windows and slate roof was placed at the corner of Main and Iron Streets, where the old burial ground had been. The remains of the dead were moved to the Old Rosemont Cemetery to make way for the new building. The cost of the building was $28,000. Although the exterior of the building was virtually complete by 1870, the bell tower remained uncompleted until 1891. This was reconstructed to a slightly lesser height in 1956 when the limestone structure required repairs.

Church Interior

Between 1886 and 1893, the church interior was completed, with the walls "tinted," steam heat installed, and electric light introduced. Twelve stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ were planned, but the first windows were of a geometric design. The rose window in the rear, in memory of John Barton, an early trustee, and the Ascension window in the sanctuary were installed early, as were Tiffany windows (the front two windows on each side of the nave). Not until 1958 were the remaining scenes installed, replacing the geometric designs. In 1907 the vestibule of the church was tiled and wainscoted by the members of Saint Margaret's Guild, and in 1909 the aisles of the church proper were tiled in a classic design of Italian marble by the same organization.

Modern Renovations

In 1950, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Snyder donated a marble altar in memory of their son Lt. James G. Snyder. The floor was reinforced and the chancel refurbished at that time. The original wooden altar was placed in the parish house. At that time, the chapel was furnished with altar and railings from Saint John's Episcopal Church of Catawissa, which had been disbanded shortly after 1920. In 1956, the chapel was entirely replaced with the present altar and appurtenances as a memorial to Sara Barbara Elwell by her husband, G. Edward Elwell.

Parish House

The attached parish house was completed in 1892, a "handsome stone structure with an auditorium, and choir and guild rooms on the first floor, and a dining hall and kitchen in the basement" (Beers 140). The kitchen was extensively remodeled and modernized in the 1950's, and the Church School rooms on the second level were more recently converted to offices, but the basic structure has been changed little.

Today and Tomorrow

Saint Paul's Church enters its third century of Christian ministry and worship in the finest Anglican tradition, with the devotion and enthusiasm of the rector and parish, strong programs of Christian education, and local and world-wide outreach programs. In recent years, we have installed an elevator, constructed an ADA-compliant restroom, and remodeled our parking lot entrance to make it wider and handicapped-accessible. We have also installed a Memorial Garden in the lovely green space behind our three parish-owned buildings.