In 1835 Bishop Jackson Kemper, an Episcopal missionary, traveled the Ohio River area on horseback and canoe preaching and establishing local parishes.  The very first of Our 32 priests was called to St. Paul 's 162 years ago.  Fifty years later the present Church building was consecrated in Evansville , Indiana , on the banks of the Ohio River .  St. Paul 's Episcopal Church has maintained its constant vigil over the Ohio River from this very spot for 112 years.

The building was designed for beauty and permanence and it was constructed of Bedford limestone.  Like Our faith, the building foundation lies in the form of a cross.  Its style is exquisitely Gothic in the design of European cathedrals.  The tower and the spire rise 124 feet heavenward and the whole of this beautiful structure is crowned by a gilded cross drawing all eyes and emphasizing the words of Christ--"If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Me."  The cross is lighted and is said to have been used by riverboat pilots in navigating the Ohio River .  It continues to do so today.

In l898 a choirmaster was appointed to head a choir of 40 men and boys.  The first midnight mass on Christmas Eve was held in 1908 and this tradition continues today.  In 1935 the boys were paid 50 cents per week for two rehearsals and singing the Sunday morning service.  If their attendance and manners were especially good throughout the year they received an additional bonus of one dollar on Christmas Eve.  That tradition does NOT continue but the choir members still sing harmoniously!

St. Paul 's has striven to serve its neighbors spiritually and practically.  Between 1932-1942 the House of the Good Shepherd served as a community house to aid the many unemployed people in the neighborhoods of the Ohio River and its tributary Pigeon Creek.  Church members taught classes in cooking, sewing, and manual training.  The priest at that time was Rev. Joseph G. Moore who also gave many hours of his time to the "Clean Election Committee."  He took pictures of the vote buying and appealed on the radio for the vote buying to cease.  St. Paul 's was also the first home of what is now the Evansville Day School.  Currently St. Paul 's hosts a weekly soup kitchen.

Our Ohio River is not always friendly and in 1937 “The Flood” changed the lives of many citizens.  In spite of the extensive damage to Our own Church buildings, St. Paul 's was a source of comfort and supplies to the many afflicted families.

During the Palm Sunday services the next year, a fire smoldered in the basement and finally erupted into a blaze which completely destroyed the interior of the Church.  The outside walls remained intact and the brass and silver artifacts were saved from the Altar.  The Baptismal Font fell through the floor to the basement.  It was repaired and is a focal point of our Sanctuary today.

Evansville saw much “action” during World War II as the site of manufacturing and a nearby military base.  Cots were set up in the Parish House for the use of servicemen.  Parishioners entertained the soldiers with dances on Saturday nights and breakfast was served on Sunday mornings.

St. Paul 's helped to establish four other churches in Evansville from 1869-1954.  Mrs. Charles Viele presented one of them to the Diocese as a memorial to two children that had been taken from her by death at an early age.  The Altar from the “Church of the Holy Innocents” is in Our Sanctuary today.

In 1965 women were elected to the Vestry for the first time.

The history of St. Paul 's Episcopal Church resembles the Ohio River where We live.  Sometimes We meander peacefully, sometimes We rush along striving to keep up with the relentless current.  Like the Ohio River , Our storms can be frightening but the rainbows are glorious!  Sometimes Our banks are overflowing and other times We need filling up. St. Paul 's has always been an active and resilient fellowship.  Our history is full of service and worship and prayer and study and community.  We are initially drawn together by the tradition of Our liturgy and the beauty of Our building.  Like the River, We are constant but never stagnant.  We may not always know what lies beyond the River Bend, but we travel with calm expectancy.  Like the Ohio River , St. Paul 's Episcopal Church is a steady presence--consistently, deliberately, and joyfully maintaining its course toward an ever-closer relationship with Our Lord.