About Church of St. Paul the Apostle
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Welcome to the Parish Community of the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle!
Our Parish was founded in 1858 by the new religious community of Roman Catholic priests, the Paulist Fathers under the leadership of Father Isaac Thomas Hecker, CSP, who is now Servant of God, the first step to Sainthood. Construction on our beautiful and historic church began in 1876 and completed in 1884.
Our Church is decorated by some of the greatest American religious artwork executed by artists such as Robert Reid, William Laurel Harris, and a rare copy of one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. The ceiling is decorated with a star map of January 25, 1885, the date of the Church’s dedication and the Feast of the Conversion of Paul, our patron.
The building of our church continues today in the vibrant ministries and many community activities that are held here. Our Loaves & Fishes soup kitchens serve hundreds of people each week, our Winter Shelter provides meals and a warm place for people in need; our outreach ministry with Young Adult Catholics flourishes as does our outreach to Gay & Lesbian Catholics; and, our outreach to Arts & Artists hosts concerts, art exhibits, and visiting choirs. Many community organizations utilize our parish space for classes and meetings. We are the parish for students at Fordham University and The Julliard School. We are delighted that you have chosen to be part of the ongoing construction of the church in New York City.
As the Mother Church of the Paulist Fathers (www.paulist.org), the first order of religious priests founded in the United States. You are likely to see Paulists who lead parish missions and retreats around the country. The Paulist National Young Adult Ministries is also based here with their wonderful website www.bustedhalo.com
You have landed in a wonderful parish with deep roots in New York City and in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Welcome!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Gilbert Martinez, CSP - Pastor
