History of St. Paul's Episcopal Parish

In 1879, about a dozen communicants met with the Reverend Douglas Kelley to organize the first Episcopal mission in Bakersfield, and on December 1st, St. Paul's Mission was created. In 1886, the first wooden church was erected at the corner of 17th and Eye Streets, and on March 4, 1891, St. Paul's was granted parish status.

The discovery of oil in the area spurred economic growth which enabled the parish to consecrate their first brick church building on January 1, 1902, located at the intersection of 17th and Eye Streets. In 1952, a series of earthquakes damaged the fifty year old brick structure as well as most of the downtown churches, and so a new site was selected to rebuild at 17th and "B" Streets.

The present church was designed using an early American Spanish style with bell tower, red tile roof, and use of the Roman arch. At that time of rebuilding, the church was incorporated under the name of St. Paul's Episcopal Parish. Many of the properties from the old building were kept, including the Altar and its stained-glass window, the Rose Window, pulpit, lectern and baptismal font. Its present organ is a recent acquisition, obtained in 1996.

During the first 100 years of service, more than 15 Rectors were called to St. Paul's, with The Reverend John D. Spear serving at the time of the Centennial Celebration in 1979. Our present Rector is The Reverend Mark J. Lawrence.

For a more detailed history, see Thomas W. Holson, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Bakersfield, California, 1979.