St. Paul Catholic Church

Overview

Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church is a Parish in Pensacola, Florida and a member of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. The church is located at 3131 Hyde Park Road, and the office at 1700 Conway Drive (32503). Saint Paul was founded in 1963 by member of Sacred Heart Church(located in East Hill) and a school was founded in 1964. The current Pastor of Saint Paul Parish The Rev. Fr. Douglas G. Halsema. The Parochial Vicar (associate Priest) in The Rev. Fr. Michael J. Nixon. Saint Paul Church and School is known for its friendly congregation, powerful and engaging liturgies, thoughtful homilies and educational programs, fine music program, very active school sports teams, high academic standards, and large financial contributions to various charities as well as to the Diocese.

Brief History

Saint Paul Parish was founded in 1963, by order of the Bishop, made up of parishoners (congregation members) of Sacred Heart Church (now Cathedral). The ground-breaking of what is now referred to as the "Old Church" on March 8, 1964 (Laetare Sunday) by The Rev. Fr. Frank Giri (for whom one of the current gathering rooms was named). On January 10, 1965, the "Old Church", school, and old rectory were blessed by Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen.

In 1964, Saint Paul Catholic School (K-8) was founded by the parish. In order to help start the school, Fr. Giri requested help from various holy orders that specialized in education, finally recieving help from the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Convent of Our Lady of the Angels in Pennsylvania. The school's first 8th grade class graduated in 1966.

Over time, more religious sisters came to assist in the administration and daily running of the school, eventualy growing to 5 in number. Mr. Vincent Whibbs was kind enough to donate a new 1964 Pontiac to the sisters to satisfy transportation needs. On September 23, 1967, a convent was constructed on the Church property. The convent still stands today but has been converted into the parish office.

Other buildings constructed on the site prior to the year 2000 include a nursery and a gymnasium/parish center. In order to better serve the needs of the geographical area, Saint Paul opened the Church of Our Savior as a "multi-celebration center" on Old Spanish Trail Road in the late 1980's. However, by the 2000's, it was obvious the the growing pains of the parish were stretching the limits of the physical campuses as well as the clergy (ministers) and staff.

In 2007, ground was broken for the "New Church" located on the Saint Paul campus (Hyde Park Rd.) by Bishop John H. Ricard. Many people were very supportive of the new church building, but others were saddened that the Church of Our Savior would be closed. The "New Church" was opened and consecrated to God by Bishop Ricard in late 2008 with more than 1,400 people in attendance. Along with the new church, a piazza (courtyard), parking lot, school expansion, and new rectory were built. Saint Paul continues its mission of saving souls for Jesus Christ and has many more hopes, prayers, and plans for the future.

List of Buildings on Campus

1. Saint Paul "New" Church 2. Saint Paul Catholic School 3. "Old Church"/Caffetorium 4. Parish Center/Gymnasium 5. Pre-K/Nursery 6. Parish Office 7. Rectory

For more campus information, please consult the parish's website, www.stpaulcatholic.net

Building Design

Most buildings on the church campus vary from 1960's to 1980's style - the times in which they were constructed. However, the new rectory and church put more enphasis on asthetics than the previous structures.

When asked what kind of church building they wanted, the congregation agreed on a "gothic church yet modern and uplifting with lots of light". This preference was more challenging than many because of a percieved conflict of interest. The Gothic style is usualy one featuring more darkness due to smaller arched windows. Also, standard gothic style emphasized the height and length of the church, drawing one's eyes upwards toward a vaulted ceiling. The desire for light and warmth in the church was an interesting challenge.

The ever-evolving product is hailed my many a magnificent in its blending of traditional gothic and more modern elements. Traditional gothic elements include arches along the sides of the church (the ambulatories), the great chancel arch, the arched roof support beams, many historic stained glass windows in gothic style, the use of stone flooring, altar furnature using the arch and spire as a theme, the massive bronze plated doors, a sanctuary in a sepatate "alcove" from the nave, and numerous side chapels. More modern elements include skylights which draw the eyes upward and provide natural light, the fact that the stained glass is at nearly floor level rather than high above the viewer, the use of warm colors and gold, an expansive and beautiful wooden roof, the use of modern building materials and "home-like"techniques such as moulding at mid-wall and floor.

The new church seats 1,200 people and provides a beautiful space for liturgies (services), private prayer, and concerts. The acoustics of the church are wonderful and suit church music almost perfectly - a factor that has enriched worship services immeasurably.

Plans for the future include the construction of a bell tower, further interior improvment, renocation of the choir area, and the installation of a historic one-of-a-kind 1868 Baumgarten pipe organ in the tribune (galery, balcony).

Mass and Confession Times

Daily Mass: Mon-Sat at 8:30am (rosary and Morning Prayer at 7:50am, first Fridays at 6:30pm -- Sunday Mass: Saturday Vigil at 4:30pm, Sunday at 7, 9, & 11am and 6pm -- School Mass: First Fridays at 10am -- Holy Days of Obligation: Vigil the day before and usualy three Masses on the day. Check website for more details. -- Confession: Anytime by appointment. 9:15am and 3:30pm on Sat, 6:30pm every first Wednesday.