PARISH PROFILE
The People of St. Paul’s
We are an earnest, devoted congregation of people who enjoy each other, love our parish, and our community, and believe in the power of God in our everyday lives. We share a sense of belonging to a family and that our small family is ready to grow bigger. We value our connections to our community and to our diocese. We want to welcome those looking for a joyful and prayerful spiritual home and grow the St. Paul’s community.
Supporting our Neighbors
What began with a few of our parishioners volunteering to work with Third Grade students in a Book Buddy program has blossomed into a ministry that includes Christmas gifts for struggling families, assistance in completing community service hours for the older students, donations of books for the schoolwide Book Swap, an ice cream booth at the start of the year Open House, and a year-end Book Buddy pizza party.
Most recently, we joined in the Trunk or Treat Festivites with Schmitt Elementary School.
Inreach
We use lay ministries to assist with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of our church family. To compliment pastoral care, lay Eucharistic ministers, and an AGAPE group to assist members recovering from illness with meals, prayers and visits.
Outreach
Pastoral care reaches many beyond our worshipping community through our outreach and weekly prayer requests. Our volunteers feed those within the community struggling with food insecurity, tend the green space for the local domestic abuse shelter, and nurture a supportive relationship with the neighboring elementary school. Our church also serves as a meeting location for a local alcoholism mutual support group, and we actively participate in the local Gay Pride parade.
The Ecumenical Assembly
St. Paul’s is a charter member of the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches which operates the local homeless shelter, food bank, and evening hot meals. Our parishioners actively participate in this and other community outreach services that are focused on local underserved people. It is a strength of this congregation.
A Brief History
In 1867, twelve dedicated Episcopalians began meeting under the leadership of William Turner, a deacon who had come to live in Columbus. By 1876, a church had been built on 8th street in downtown Columbus. For eighty years it served the needs of the congregation and the surrounding community. In 1960, the present church was built on California St. to meet the needs of the growing congregation. Extensive remodeling, tripling the size of the church and facility, was completed in 2002. Over its 140 years, St. Paul’s has been served by twenty-one vicars, eight rectors, and a whole host of saints.
Worship and Formation
WORSHIP
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved to a hybrid model to accommodate those who were ready to gather in person, and those who felt more comfortable at home. and we continue that practice even post-COVID. We celebrate with Rite 2 with Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 10:15 with the exception of the last Sunday of the month which is Rite 1. We have organ music, and our choir has returned to sing once a month.
FORMATION
We are making plans for regular in-person Forums on Sunday morning. Our weekly Bible Studies meet via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 10:00.
Our Community
"2022 Indiana Chamber Community of the Year" by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Columbus is world-renowned for its modern architecture and has a rich architectural and artistic heritage
Its proximity to the Indiana University Jacob School of Music, gives St. Paul’s access to graduate students to support its music programs and broaden our music experiences.
Cummins Inc., with its global headquarters in Columbus has a strong commitment to a robust quality of life in Columbus
About Columbus: Helpful Links
About the City of Columbus
Columbus Area Visitor's Center
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
Finances
We are excellent stewards of our church, church family, and the resources they share including their time, talents, and treasure. During COVID, our giving did not decline significantly with 95% of pledges fulfilled. The building was maintained, we did not have to use our savings to meet our expenses and, led by our vestry, we continued our commitment to defining our needs for our next priest, all while attending to the additional spiritual and emotional needs of our parishioners caused by COVID.
Pledge receipts
Investment Income
Plate & Bldg Usage donations
Total
Revenues
$145,000
$16,000
$4,000
$165,000
Apportionment
Interim Rector & Staff
Services
Buildings & Grounds
Total
Expenses
$26,000
$91,000
$16,000
$32,000
$165,000