Discover St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Augusta Georgia - It is located on the banks of the Savannah River, where in 1735, General Oglethorpe founded Georgia’s second city as a fortress and Indian trading center upriver from Savannah. Stay and Play in GA!
St. Paul's Church
The church grounds are the site of the first church of Augusta built in 1749 and the location of old Fort Augusta built by colonists as protection against Indians. Rebuilt as Fort Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War, the fort was captured by “Lighthorse Harry” Lee, which was a great blow to the British cause.
The present building is a 1917-18 copy of the old Federal style church of 1820, the fourth church on the site that burned in the Great Augusta Fire of 1916. Architect of the church, Henry T. E. Wendell, planned and supervised construction of the present building with relatively faithful adherence to John Lund’s original exterior design but with significant modifications to the earlier interior design.
The red brick church has three entrances: one central projecting entrance section and two recessed ones on either side. A colonnaded façade in the Classical Revival style with Doric columns defines the entrances and completes the portico. The entrance has double doors topped by a variation of the Palladian window. A centered round window is on each of the bell tower’s four lower sides. The top section is a multisided bell tower with a domed roof.
The interior of the building has arched vaulted ceilings with Corinthian pilasters. The Palladian window in the chancel over the altar is of stained glass as are the arched memorial windows in the nave. Much of the church furniture saved from the 1916 fire is still in use in the church. The only relic of the first church is a simple marble baptismal font brought from England in 1751, which is on display in the narthex.
The cemetery dates from the very earliest days of the church and has existing tombstones dating from as early as the 1780s. It is the resting place of a number of important people. At the rear of the churchyard is a Celtic cross of granite erected by the Colonial Dames on the site of Fort Augusta/Cornwallis. General Oglethorpe brought the damaged cannon at its foot from England in 1733 for use at the fort.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 605 Reynolds St. at the corner of 6th and Reynolds Sts. within the boundaries of the Augusta Downtown Historic District. The church is open 9:00am to 4:00pm on Monday-Friday, 10:00am to noon Saturday. Call ahead for tours to 706-724-2485. Free. Visit its website. St. Paul’s Church and St. Paul's Parish Cemetery Gate and Gravestone have been documented by the National Park Service's Historic American Buildings Survey.
The United States Post Office and Courthouse is located at 500 E. Ford St. within the boundaries of the Augusta Downtown Historic District. It is not open to the public for tours.
St. Paul's Church History
Saint Paul's Church was established in 1750 by the Church of England at the site of Fort Augusta.
The first three church buildings on the property were destroyed. The fourth building, erected in the 19th century, was burned in the Great Augusta Fire of 1916. The present Georgian Colonial building, designed by Henry Wendell, was completed in 1919. Among the furnishings saved from the fire is the original baptismal font, the only relic from the first church. The Neo-Classical pillar and bowl, brought from England in 1751, is in the narthex (foyer), near the southwest entrance.
The flags at the chancel steps are those of the United States and the Episcopal Church. Across the balcony are some of the flags which have flown over Georgia in its history, including period flags of Spain and France, the British Flag of 1737 - 1783, the Liberty flag, American 13 star flag, Bonnie Blue flag, Stainless Banner of the Confederacy, 1865 Stars and Stripes, the present Georgia state flag, and the American flag. Outside the church on many days also fly the Compassrose Flag of the Anglican Communion and the flag of the City of Augusta.
Located in the church yard is a celtic cross marking the location of the fort. At its base is a cannon believed to have been brought in the 1730's by General Oglethorpe from England to be used at Fort Augusta. This, together with the font, are the oldest colonial artifacts in the city. A number of graves are marked in the cemetery, including that of Col. William Few, a signer of the United States Constitution, whose portrait hangs in the narthex.
A marker on the exterior of the building provides information about the 1763 conference of the Colonial Governors of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, with five Indian nations. Also of interest is the historical marker located at the corner of Sixth and Reynolds Street.
Visitor Infomation
Saint Paul's Church welcomes you! Saint Paul's is a historic, downtown, Episcopal parish located on the Riverwalk in Augusta, Georgia. Members reside throughout Richmond and the surrounding counties. We welcome you to worship with us and join us in community. The facility is fully accessible for those with disabilities.
Saint Paul's Church was established in 1750 by the Church of England at the site of Fort Augusta. The first three church buildings on the property were destroyed. The fourth building, erected in the 19th century, was burned in the Great Augusta Fire of 1916. The present Georgian Colonial building, designed by Henry Wendell, was completed in 1919.
Each Sunday and weekday, any visitor who leaves a name and telephone number is contacted by phone, and is then sent a packet of information on the mission and ministry of Saint Paul's Church and the Episcopal Church.
Periodically, a casual supper is hosted by the Newcomer Committee at the Rector's home, or another church member's home, to introduce new people to each other, to the clergy, to church leaders, and to other church staff members and members of the congregation.
As part of its ministry of hospitality, the church is open weekdays and Saturday mornings. History Tours for groups are available by advance arrangement. The clergy and staff are always delighted to provide visitors with information and to visit prospective newcomers in their homes, if they wish.
Saint Paul's Church offers a wide range of ministries to newcomers, including ministries for children, youth, young adults, singles, and older adults. For more information, please call the Parish Office during regular office hours.
Hours of Operation & Fees
Office hours are 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. Summer Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to 12 noon on Friday.
Contact, Location & Website Info
Phone: 706-724-2485 - Location: 500 E. Ford St., Augusta, GA - Website:saintpauls.org
History
