St. Paul's Church history

Joseph Hamilton and Captain Nathaniel Hart, opened a subscription drive on St Patrick’s Day, 1811 on the steps of Lexington’s courthouse.

A lot was purchased on July 13, 1813 for $312.00 from Robert and Anne Todd (Deed Book G, page 464 in the Fayette County Clerk’s office). A one-story, brick, Gothic chapel was built on the land, with the remainder of the lot reserved for a cemetery.

In 1822, a mission started in the town that ministered to Catholics in the area and Mass was said in a house, 45 Snargate Street.

In 1834, a location had to be bought, because Mass was being said in the loft of a house on St James' Street, and it was not large to hold everybody there.

The first Mass was celebrated in the 1850’s at the P.T. Clifford farm, usually held outdoors.

The first baptisms recorded were on July 3, 1858 and the first marriage joined John Carver and Sarah Dawn Carver on November 15, 1858.Image

On Easter Sunday 1863, he first secured the old church which was badly in need of repairs.

In 1864, Catholics in Lexington again collected funds to give their new pastor, Reverend John H. Bekkers, for the purchase of land on which to build a new church to accommodate the growing congregation.

Models: The two models on view in the church were built and displayed in 1865 to celebrate important milestones in the history of St Paul’s Church.

Construction of the church started in 1867 and cost £2300.

On 15 May 1868, Thomas Grant the Bishop of Southwark opened the church.

In that same year he purchased an acre of ground, the site on which a future church and school would be built for $1,800.In 1870 the pastoral residence was erected at a cost of $6,000.

With three teachers, the first official school was opened in September 1872.

June 16, 1875 | Observer & Reporter Big improvements are being made to Saint Paul Church.

Construction of the church and residence began early in 1880 and on April 29th, 1880, the cornerstone was laid by Archbishop Alemany.

The cornerstone for the second Saint Paul Church was laid by Bishop Dwenger on October 8, 1883.

Lawrence Breslin the first pastor of St Paul's circa 1887

Construction began in 1897, took fourteen-years to complete, and was built on a pay as you go formula.

In 1904 an additional half lot was bought, cement walks were installed and further supplies for the school were purchased.

On June 27, 1909 Saint Paul parish was divided into two separate and distinct parishes.

The Archbishop approved the request; a collection was taken and a lot was purchased on Church Street. Therefore, when the Church was finished in 1911, the Parish Community was debt-free! Then pastor, Rt.

Beginning in August 1915, Father J. J. O’Riordan of Sanford made regular trips to Fruitland Park to hold Mass in the summer cottage of Mr. and Mrs.

A church in Fruitland Park was completed in 1921 and the first Mass celebrated on Thanksgiving Day.

The old St Paul’s structure, which had been used for forty-five years by the parish, was sold to the Federal Government in 1930 for $25,000.

In May 1935, new chapel was opened.

In 1942 the church was restored to resemble its original 18th century appearance by Perry, Shaw & Hepburn, the architectural firm that had developed Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

According to the 1944 Saint Paul Financial Report, total receipts were $26,454.75.

In 1949 Father William O’Farrell, pastor of the mission, headed the parish’s transaction of purchasing land in Leesburg along Sunshine Avenue for the purpose of building a larger church.

Construction on a new Saint Paul School began in July 1950 by the Roy Clark Company of East Chicago.

On July 23, 1961, a $143,000 addition to the church offices gave the edifice its present, rather incongruous appearance.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the third and current Saint Paul Church took place on April 20, 1966.

On October 27, 1967 the third Saint Paul Church was dedicated.

In 1969, however, problems with funding and administration forced the school’s closure.

In the early 1970’s it was evident that more space was needed to accommodate the Catholic community and winter visitors.

Work began in November 1976 following the groundbreaking ceremonies, which were held on October 31, 1976.

In May 1978 installation began for the new church organ built by Casavant Freres of Canada at a cost of $82,300.

The Saint Timothy Center opened in 1980.

1983 marked the 125th Anniversary of Saint Paul Catholic Church.

The Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) program began at Saint Paul in 1984.

In September 1986 Father Mike spoke at all the St Margaret Mary Masses in Chino, inviting those who lived in the hills environs to join him in starting the challenging task ahead.

Repair work to the church started on 1 June 1988 and on 28 October the church was reopened.

October 1989 Deacon Brian Costello joined our parish to assist our pastor

After his 1991 ordination he served parishes in the Diocese of Tallahassee-Pensacola.

On December 11, 1994 Bishop Dale Melczek celebrated the dedication Mass of the new facilities.

February "Father Michael Maher, SS.CC. and the Catholic Community of St Paul the Apostle invite you to share the occasion of Ground Blessing for their future church on Sunday February 15, 1998, immediately following the 11:15 am Mass.

September 12, 1999 At 2:00 pm, the people of St Paul the Apostle Parish welcomed Bishop Gerald Barnes at the blessing of their new church building.

With the contractor selected, the Church closed in January of 2000 and the work began.

In November 2002 the parish held its first Ministry Fair.

In late 2003 final plans were drawn for the 60,000 square-foot Saint Paul Catholic School and Education Center.

In 2005 the third Saint Paul Clothing Center was opened with expanded space for the community ministry.

The facility opened its doors to the first students in June 2006 for the last day of the school year.

In 2008 Saint Paul marked the 150th Anniversary of Saint Paul.

Misc pics prior to 2011

Corpus Christi 2014 Blessing Downtown and the City of Lexington

Father Joe served as the pastor of Saint Paul until his retirement in June 2018.