St Pauls Presbyterian Church

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Architect: William Thomas

Address: 64 James Street South
Date Built: 1857  


St. Paul's Presbyterian Church was originally called St. Andrew's. The current building was erected between 1854 and 1857. It replaced the original St. Andrew's Church on the same site. In 1873 the name was changed to St. Paul's after a conflict within the congregation. The church was designed by William Thomas. The 180 foot tall stone spire is the only one of it's kind in Ontario.

St. Paul's was originally formed as St. Andrew's with a congregation of Scottish immigrants in 1830 and the current grey stone English Gothic revival church, designed by architect William Thomas, was built between 1854 and 1857 (St. Paul's, Undated).

The bells of St. Paul's have a rich history. The 160 kilogram bell hanging in the belfry of the Sunday School building was the original town bell in Hamilton and rang for the first time in 1834 (Henley, 1993). It was moved from the 180 foot stone spire to it's new home in 1906 to make way for the eleven bells weighing a total of 4488 kilograms now residing in the spire. These bells are played every Sunday morning to call the congregation in and sound quite beautiful (St. Paul's, Undated).

At the south-east corner of the church there is a large Celtic Cross - The Cross of Sacrifice. It was carved in Scotland and placed here in 1921 to commemorate those of the congregation who had fallen in battle (St. Paul's, Undated). Near Remembrance Day you will find wreaths and poppies at the base of the cross and the church holds a Service of Remembrance on the Sunday closest to November 11th each year.

St. Paul's was originally formed as St. Andrew's with a congregation of Scottish immigrants in 1830 and the current grey stone English Gothic revival church, designed by architect William Thomas, was built between 1854 and 1857 (St. Paul's, Undated).

The bells of St. Paul's have a rich history. The 160 kilogram bell hanging in the belfry of the Sunday School building was the original town bell in Hamilton and rang for the first time in 1834 (Henley, 1993). It was moved from the 180 foot stone spire to it's new home in 1906 to make way for the eleven bells weighing a total of 4488 kilograms now residing in the spire. These bells are played every Sunday morning to call the congregation in and sound quite beautiful (St. Paul's, Undated).

At the south-east corner of the church there is a large Celtic Cross - The Cross of Sacrifice. It was carved in Scotland and placed here in 1921 to commemorate those of the congregation who had fallen in battle (St. Paul's, Undated). Near Remembrance Day you will find wreaths and poppies at the base of the cross and the church holds a Service of Remembrance on the Sunday closest to November 11th each year.

Following Jackson Street to the west you will find a large tree and benches near the rear of the church, a wonderful spot to rest and engage in quiet reflection.

By: Ashleigh Patterson & Geoff Rose

 

Exterior Images:

 

Side View Of ChurchSide View With Church TowerLooking Up To Church TowerSide Of The ChapelSide Of Church With Stained Glass WindowsChurch TowerSide Entrance To St PaulsStone Work On The Church TowerTop Of Church SpireLooking Up At The Stone SpireVertical Stone Church SpireSide Entrance With Two Small SpiresThree Stained Glass Windows In RoofStone CarvingBack Wall And Stone ChimneyRow Of Peaked Roofs At The Back Of The ChurchSmall Stone Crafted Window RoofWeathervane and Lightning Rod On Peak Of ChurchStonework On Small Stone PeaksSmall 8 Sided ChimneySt Pauls Presbyterian ChurchSt Pauls Presbyterian Church

Interior Images:

 

Inside Of ChurchFront Altar AreaRows Of Wooden PewsAltar Wooden SeatsWooden Panels And PewsWooden Arches And Wood DetailingStained GlassDoorway To The StairsWooden Stairs And HandrailThe Cross

Historic Exterior Images:

 

St Pauls New Chimes in 1906St Pauls in 1981