When an Episcopal parish was organized in Henderson, Kentucky, it was in a church of another denomination and was led by a group of twenty men, scarcely one an Episcopalian. The year was 1831. Four more years passed before the Diocesan Councilaccepted St. Paul's as a parish. The men were not to be dismayed, however, and on the day after Christmas 1833, they accepted the Reverend Daniel Deacon as first Rector, and plans for a church building were made.
The first church, consecrated in 1838, stood at the center of town on Third and Main Streets. The frame church had a seating capacity of 150, and following the custom of the day, pews were sold or rented. There was no chancel or organ, the keynote being played on a flute for the choir in the gallery above.
Fifteen years and four Rectors later saw the old church and rectory in a sad sate of disrepair. It was decided to sell these pieces of property and invest in a new edifice. The new church was built on the Western portion of a farm owned by James Alves. One lot on the corner of Center and Green Streets was donated by the Alves family, and an adjoining lot was purchased by the church for $2,000.00. The church was finished in 1858 at a cost of $12,000.00, one-third more than the original estimate.
The Reverend Daniel H. Deacon had the peculiar distinction of being St. Paul's rector during construction of both the old and new churches. Returning to St. Paul's, he was serving his second term as rector when plans were formalized for the new church in 1856.
Described as "stuccoed-brick Gothic," the new church was consecrated on May 21, 1860. It boasted the first pipe organ in Henderson. Three-fourths of the pews were rented; one fourth were free.
Surprisingly, St. Paul's grew and thrived during the Civil War. Divided in sympathy, the congregation nonetheless held together. Three years after the close of the war, Mr. Deacon retired as Rector. The number of communicants had grown from 5 to 110 during his nineteen interrupted years of service.
In 1880, the church was thriving. The Reverend Robert S. Barrett sought a new Sunday school room for the 208 scholars and 34 teachers. The 1881 addition was the original Parish House.
Difficult times struck in 1890. The church was without a rector and in a financial bind. Strenuous efforts were made to see that annual deficits did not occur. At one point disaster appeared imminent. The church was "running on one wheel" according to a Warden. Ironically, large personal bequests were made to the Parish during this period. Mrs. Theo Gibbs of New York gave an altar, reredos, and a stained glass window from Munich. Mrs. James E. Rankin donated a brass communion rail.
The financial picture began to improve. The Reverend Dudley Powers was Rector in 1891 when the Easter offering was $1,200.00. It was decided to construct the long-awaited rectory and sell the old one at 1244 South Elm Street. The 1891 rectory was built on property adjacent to the church on the corner of Green and Washington Streets at a cost of $6,000.00. It served the rectors of St. Paul's for over 79 years.
The church was on a stable footing at the beginning of the 20th Century. The Reverend L. W. Rose reported the parish had a splendid Vestry, a well-taught Sunday School, two Ladies Aid Societies, a branch of the Women's Auxiliary and an Indian Society. Communicants numbered 318.
From 1909 to 1926 alterations and additions to the church culminated in the form and shape of the building we know today.
During this time, World War I had begun and ended. Thirty-six men from St. Paul's served in the armed forces. Two had made the supreme sacrifice of life. Their names are inscribed on St. Paul's Roll of Honor.
The depression years were felt throughout the nation and at St. Paul's. The Reverend William Banks was called in 1932 at a salary of $1,800.00 without the use of the Rectory. As the country was slowly coming out of its financial slump, World War II began. Fifty-five men from our parish served their country and are honored with a Memorial Tablet placed in the vestibule.
On November 15, 1937, The Rev. Imri M. Blackburn, Ph.D. began his tenure as Rector of St. Paul's. At the time, he was on the faculty of Evansville College. He continued to serve until 1943 when he became Rector of St. Paul's Evansville, Indiana and eventually went on to be Professor of Church History at Seabury Western Seminary in Evanston, Illinois in 1954. The church grew under his tenure; he also oversaw the installation of the current Wicks organ in 1938.
Many parishioners fondly remember the unassuming man who served as Rector of St. Paul's from 1956 to 1966. It was during the tenure of the Reverend Charles Leavell that Miss Hattie Reichert bequeathed a handsome legacy to the church, and the final addition was made to the Parish House two years later. It housed eight classrooms and a Rector's study. Mr. Leavell's ten years at St. Paul's was a tranquil period with great unity in the church inspired by his love and consideration for all the members of the Parish and especially his work with the young children and the EYC.
In 1968 the Reverend Carey Sloan was called to St. Paul's. The young, innovative and enthusiastic priest quickly gained the support of the congregation, and he attracted several young couples to the Parish. Membership grew, especially with the younger couples and their children, and the Sunday School expanded to fill all the classroom space. He accepted and continued St. Paul's traditional ways while introducing a more formal worship service to St. Paul's.
The financial condition was stable during Father Sloan's stay, and there were several improvements to the property of the church. Father Sloan and his wife Kate moved into a new Rectory at 1317 Judson Place within a year after his arrival. The old Rectory was rented for a time and then was made into the Cheaney House for Boys for several years. The condition of the old Rectory necessitated demolition after a few years, and the lot was made into a parking lot for the Church. Mr. Sloan, in 1977, resigned his position in order to become rector of St. Stephen's in Canton, Ohio.
The ministry of Thomas Daily at St. Paul's began in 1978 and extended over an eight-year period of dramatic change in the Episcopal Church at large. The introduction of the new Book of Common Prayer, controversy over the ordination of women to the priesthood, confusion and division over the charismatic movement and the formative period of new music and hymns all had an effect on the parish and on Father Daily's ministry. Mr. Daily's ability to preach, his compassion for and visitation of the sick, and his counseling ability were some of his strongest attributes and attracted Episcopalians from other communities. Martha Ann, Mr. Daily's wife, created an exciting and innovative summer church school that captured the interest and enthusiasm of children and adults; her musical ability was especially appreciated by all.
In August of 1985, the Reverend Powell Gahagan was called to St. Paul's as Interim Rector. His great knowledge of the Bible, Church History and The Book of Common Prayer has led to interesting and innovative services. He served until July 1987. The Rev. Ralph Patston arrived in August of 1986 and was the rector until July 1994. Father Patston was from the north and brought with him high church traditions. The Rev. W.G. Workman arrived in July 1994 and served as interim until July 1995. Father Workman served the parish well as interim and was generally liked by the congregation.
The Rev. Gordon L. Morrison arrived in October 1995 and served until 2005. He reached out to the community and championed a number of projects and issues. The Rev. Joan Smith served from January 2006 until August 2007. The first female interim rector brought a calming presence and a healing leadership. In August 2007, The Rev. Dr. Beth A. Macke was called from the Diocese of Lexington.
