History of St. Paul's

The history of St. Paul’s United Church began in 1840, with the establishment of a Wesleyan Methodist congregation in Paris. Two other branches of Methodism also functioned in Paris by the mid-19th century, the Primitive and German Methodists. In 1874, the Wesleyan Methodists recognized the need for a newer and larger building for its congregation. The cornerstone of the present building housing St. Paul’s was laid in 1875. In 1922, the Paris Plains Methodist Church, a small rural church north of Paris, was closed and most of its members came to worship in Paris.

Following church union in 1925, St. Paul’s United Church was formed from the local Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches.

A new C.E. wing was added to the church in1959. In 1989 it was decided that St. Paul’s would be made accessible to the handicapped, and the plan for Operation Access was born. That initial vision grew into the St. Paul’s Access and Renovation Kampaign (S.P.A.R.K.), and included an elevator in the main building and the renovation of the former manse, next door to the church, into St. Paul’s Place, to provide the necessary space for Sunday school classes, meeting rooms and additional office space. The project was completed in May 1994.

Recent ministers at St. Paul’s include Rev. Stan Tose, who served from 1959-1963, and was an active member of the congregation in later years until his death in 2009. Rev. Bob Stokes served at St. Paul’s from 1968-1982, and Rev. Mark Aitchison, from 1983-1993. During Rev. Mark’s tenure, a new clergy team was created in 1986, with the arrival of Rev. Phil Newman and Cathy Newman. Cathy remained until 1989. Rev. Jim Singleton arrived and joined Phil in 1993.

Phil accepted a new charge in 1996 and Rev. Julie Sousa then succeeded Rev. Jim in 1997. Julie remained at St. Paul’s until her retirement in 2003. During this period we also had Rev. Randy Covey as a half-time student supply and from September 2000 to April 2001 as a full time intern.

Upon Randy’s departure in 2002, we were fortunate to invite Rev. Nora Fueten out of retirement to become our half-time minister starting in 2002, primarily overseeing our pastoral care needs, until May 2005. In 2003 we welcomed Rev. Margaret Bain as Interim Minister until June 2005.

In September 2005, Rev. Hilary Merritt began a half-time ministerial position bringing specialized gifts in Christian Education to our congregation. Recently, at the end of May 2011, she moved on to a position in Ottawa Presbytery. In October 2005, Rev. Lee Haughton accepted our call to begin full-time ministry and leadership in worship and pastoral care. He retired at the end of June 2011.

48 Broadway St., W., Paris Ontario Canada
Phone: 519-442-4223 Fax: 519-442-6821
Email:stpaulsparis_mainoffice@rogers.com