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25 Church Street, Shelton, CT 06484 (203) 929-1722 |
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church is the oldest church building and the second oldest religious community in Shelton. The following is a brief summary of the history of our faith community and the buildings used for God's work in this place. St. Paul's parish was founded as a branch of the Church of England in the (then) British colony of Connecticut. At that time, the Bishop of London had jurisdiction over all Church of England parishes "in foreign parts". The first efforts to establish Anglican worship in Repton (later Ripton and then Huntington) were made by Daniel Shelton who emigrated from England in 1687. (Mr. Shelton refused to pay taxes to the established Congregational Church and was jailed briefly for his refusal.) In 1707, Shelton and others petitioned the Bishop of London to establish an Anglican parish in Stratford (which was the first Anglican parish in Connecticut). The petition was granted. Later, in 1722, he petitioned for another parish to be established in Repton. From 1722 until 1740, clergy from the Stratford parish conducted Anglican services in private homes in Repton. Finally, in 1740, the Repton parish was officially established and work began on the first church building. St. Paul's was the fourteenth Anglican parish to be established in Connecticut. In 1753, the parish was able to afford its first full-time pastor (at the annual salary of 85 pounds "New York money"). Christopher Newton was called to the position but was not yet ordained to the priesthood. In 1755, he sailed to England, and was ordained by the Bishop of London and licensed to be "Missioner in the Parish of Repton in the Colony of Connecticut." He served at St. Paul's until his death in 1787 and is buried in the grave yard next to the Church. During the Revolutionary War, St. Paul's was forced to close because, as a Church of England parish, it was sworn to remain loyal to the British crown. After the war, all Anglican parishes in the United States were reorganized as the Episcopal Church. As such, they remain in spiritual communion with the Church of England, but are no longer required to swear allegiance to the British crown. In 1811, a well-meaning townsman named Sidney DeForest attempted to rid the Church belfry of pigeons by shooting them. In the process, the wadding from his musket set the Church on fire, and it was destroyed. The present structure was begun in 1812 and completed in 1818. In 1870, well-meaning parishioners tried to "update" the Church in the Gothic style that was then in fashion. The palladian window behind the altar was replaced with the present Gothic arch. The original clear glass windows were replaced with stained glass. The original box pews were replaced with open pews. The old high pulpit was removed. The old cabinet organ was removed to make way for a newer model. Because the Church building is land locked, all further property development has occurred on the opposite side of Church Street. In 1841, the Rectory was built directly across the street from the Church and continues to function as such. In 2002-2003 the Rectory was thoroughly renovated and modernized. In 1912, an old school house was purchased for $80 and moved next to the Rectory to become the first parish house. In the 1950's, 60's, and 70's, the parish house was moved and expanded to include a kitchen, stage auditorium, Sunday school, and office complex. In 1992, a new chapel was constructed adjacent to the parish hall. This was necessary because increased traffic on the Huntington Green has made it difficult and dangerous to use the Church building for mid-morning Sunday worship. We continue to use the Church for early-morning Sunday worship and for special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, weddings, and funerals. In 1995, we completed an extensive renovation of the exterior of the Church. All exterior side shingles were replaced and painted. The cupola and weathervane were completely rebuilt. Today, St. Paul's is an active parish of approximately 650 members. We sponsor several local outreach ministries (Christian Counseling Center, Habitat For Humanity, Family Table, Umbrella Shelter, Spooner House) and provide pastoral ministries for children, teens, young adults, and senior citizens. We continue to worship God in the Anglican tradition established by our forebears in 1740. In some ways our style (of music, speech, and dress) is very different; yet the basic pattern of our worship and content of our faith is the same. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Savior, and we invite others into a saving and life-changing relationship with Him. If you are new to our community, or have not yet found a church family, we invite you to visit and worship with us. |