Healdsburg's Episcopal Church since 1878

 

St. Paul’s Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. It was established in Healdsburg, California in 1878, on land native to the Wappo and Dry Creek Pomo.

The first rector was the Rev. Dr. J.W.D. Brotherton, a priest and physician who had earlier founded and served as director of St. Luke's Hospital, San Francisco. It is possible that Dr. Brotherton came to Healdsburg to retire, but like many such "retired" priests, was called into further service by local church members who sought and received permission from Bishop Wingfield of Sacramento to organize a mission.

Initially the congregation gathered in private homes to worship. The first purpose-built structure for the church was the parish hall constructed in 1900.  This building included a lower story and was used for worship. This same building was then relocated to the corner, lost its lower story, and was reoriented to become the current church. The addition of stained glass windows, a small steeple, and wooden pews made it a spiritual home.  Additional buildings include our parish hall and the Vanderhurst which serves as the rectory for the church.

We are blessed to have a beautiful, historic church building in this lovely town – but we are a great deal more than a historic small-town church. Here we find meaningful connection and purpose, both within our congregation and in ministry to the community.