1817- 2019

Founded in 1817, St. Paul’s Medina was one of the seven parishes started by Reverend Roger Searle, a Connecticut Episcopal missionary. St. Paul’s is the oldest organized congregation in Medina County. A log cabin near Weymouth served a church, school and meeting place for St, Paul’s and other denominations. In 1820 they worshipped in the county courthouse on Media’s public square, and in 1836 constructed a white frame Greek Revival building on the present church property. By the late 1880’s, this church was inadequate so the congregation built the present Gothic Revival church in 1884, described as “incomparably the finest Episcopal church in any country town at the time.”

Other building projects included the 1903 parish hall, excavation of the basement for classrooms, and the Canterbury House addition in 1963. The Sacristy and Nave were updated and expanded in 1991, and a Memorial Garden and Columbarium, created in 1999, continue to provide a peaceful place of rest. Finally, in 2012, an extension to the Parish hall with its inviting glass gallery complemented the historic church and brought it into the 21st century. The National Trust recognized the historic and architectural significance of St. Paul’s and added it to the National Register. The church also received state recognition with the installation of an Ohio Historic Marker in 2017, on the occasion of its Bicentennial. The people of St. Paul’s have always appreciated the historical character of its church and property and have supported all efforts to preserve and protect it, while providing for its expanded needs.

Throughout its history, St. Paul’s has been dedicated to services to the community with groups such as AA, preschool and scouts meeting here. St. Nicholas school for special needs children formed here in 1953. We took part in Adopt-a-Family, a short-term safety net for families in crisis. Father Jess Petty founded Los Amigos Episcopales and led a number of missions to El Salvador. On of our young parishioners, Jackie Papish, served as a missionary to children orphaned by HIV and AIDS in Tanzania. The Red Mass, an ecumenical service honored Blue Coats, safety officers and first responders who disregard their own safety to protect us. After the fall of Laos during the Viet Nam War, we adopted the ten-member Mua family, and helped support them for two years while they became self-sufficient community residents. In the spring of 1988, Free Farmers market was organized in response to a need for supplemental food distribution to families in our area, which continues today. Members of St. Paul’s historically have extended their faith in and beyond Medina by serving those in need.

Music has been an integral part of St. Paul’s services since their first choir in 1819. Frank O Hobart was organist from 1919 to 1962. John Buchanan Sr was a member of the choir for over fifty years. In 1979, St. Paul’s Parish Choir affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). In the fall of 1993, a group of members of St. Paul’s congregation wrote a hymn to mark the 175th anniversary of the church. Rainbow Christ, Our Hope and Love, is still sung at St. Paul’s. A restored carillon, dedicated to members who died in World War II, send music throughout Medina. We offer concerts featuring local musicians and a carols concert at the holidays for the entire community. St. Paul’s promotes worship through the arts in its historic, acoustical sanctuary.

The Bicentennial of St, Paul’s in 2017 was acknowledged with a year-long program of commemorative services, programs, projects and activities. Our annual Celtic Festival and Oktoberfest were fun and fruitful. Today, St. Paul’s remains an active part of the Summit Mission Area of the Diocese of Ohio and looks to a future of worship, fellowship, and service to the community.

Written by Susan McKiernan