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

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