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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 is Very Rev. FrCraig S. Douglas G. HalsemaSmith. The Parochial Vicar (associate Priest) in The is Rev. Fr. Michael J. NixonStephen Olson. Saint Paul Church and School is known for its friendly congregationactive community, powerful and engaging liturgies, thoughtful homilies and educational programs, fine music program, very active school sports teams, high academic standards, and generous contributions to various charities as well as to the Diocese.

Saint Paul Parish was founded in 1963, by order of the Bishop, made up of parishoners (congregation members) the parishioners of Sacred Heart Church (now Cathedral). The ground-breaking of what is now referred to as Spartan Hall occurred 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, Spartan Hall, the 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 receiving 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 eventually 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, which have now been converted into the Parish Hall, and Sindik Hall respectively; which both serve as event centers. 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.

1. Saint Paul "New" Catholic Church

3. Spartan Hall/Cafeteria4. Parish Center/Old GymHall5. Pre-K/NurserySindik Hall

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 emphasis on asthetics aesthetics 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 perceived conflict of interest. The Gothic style is usualy usually 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 of the construction in 2008 has less gothic elements than initially anticipated, but is still hailed my by many a as magnificent in its blending of . The one prominent traditional gothic and more modern elements. Traditional gothic elements include arches along feature is the Gothic arch, present everywhere from designs carved into the sides of the church (the ambulatories), the great chancel archmahogany pews, to the arched roof support beams, . Present also are many historic historical stained glass windows in gothic styleand statues taken from churches all over the world. Outside, a custom made mosaic of the use conversion of stone flooring, altar furnature using Saul adorns the arch and spire as a theme, wall above the massive bronze plated doorsthat serve as the front entrance, both of which are covered by a sanctuary steeple in the shape of a gothic arch, with a sepatate "alcove" from large circular window overlooking the navepiazza, and numerous side chapelswhich has a statue of Saint Paul in the center. More Some of the 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 more vibrant colors and like gold, an expansive and beautiful wooden roof, the use of modern building materials and "home-like"techniques such as moulding at mid-wall and floorblue.

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 towerIn 2015, further interior improvment, renocation of the choir area, and the installation of a historic one-of-a-kind an 1868 Baumgarten pipe organ was installed in the tribune (galery, balcony)and is used frequently during the celebration of Mass and other important events such as weddings and funerals.

Sunday Mass: Saturday Vigil at 4:30pm, Sunday at 78:30am, 9, & 11am and 6pm5pm.