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Our History
The beginning
St. Paul's Church in Springfield, Illinois has a rich history that dates back to June 8th, 1835 when 19 people who had a desire to associate themselves with a church met with Bishop Philander Chase at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Forquer.
The very next day, they organized the parish of St. Paul's, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.
The first years
In the 1830s, Episcopalians in the area worshipped in various churches (Presbyterian, Methodist and Christian Brethren churches) before finally building their own small frame church on the site where the Amtrak depot now stands.
The Reverend Mr. Chase served faithfully until 1838. The vacancy was be filled by Reverend Charles Dresser, who would build a home at the corner of Jackson and Eighth and would later sell the home to a rising young Springfield lawyer named Abraham Lincoln!
In August of 1838, The church building had been erected, completed and opened for services! The construction of this church was a significant milestone in the history of the St. Paul's and would serve as the parish church until 1912.
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The expansion of the Episcopal Church in Illinois
In 1877, due to the remarkable growth of the Episcopal Church in Illinois, an historic decision was made to divide into three separate dioceses: Illinois (now Chicago), Quincy, and Springfield. The newly formed Springfield diocese was the largest in terms of geography, encompassing 61 counties.
This significant development marked a new era in the history of the Episcopal Church, as it allowed for better organization and management of the church's activities in the region and the state.
A new location
St. Paul's church expanded to a new building to accommodate its growing congregation! On June, 1913 Bishop Edward W. Osborne turned the first shovelful of dirt for the new church and the church was opened on Maundy Thursday, March 20th, 1914.
The new church features stunning stained glass windows, each of uniformly high character in terms of material and workmanship. The windows also tell a connected religious story that is sure to inspire and uplift churchgoers. We invite you to come and experience the beauty and spirituality of St. Paul's current church building!
Today
St. Paul's was established as the "Cathedral Church of St. Paul's" in 1906 and currently serves as the home church for the diocese in Springfield. Our welcoming environment is open to diocesan clergy, staff, and parishioners throughout the diocese, and we take pride in our hospitality and skill for hosting large-scale diocesan events. Join us for worship in Springfield, IL and experience the spreading of God's word in Central Illinois. Our doors are always open for you to come and be a part of our community!
