St. Paul's is a midsize church with a full church program, a strong mission orientation and a caring and supportive fellowship. It is traditional in architecture and somewhat traditionalist in worship style. In theology it is best described as moderate. There are some folks quite conservative in their beliefs sitting alongside others who are pretty liberal. Sitting between them are others somewhere in between. There are even some folks who aren't exactly sure where they are. We affirm this diversity and are happy that people can worship together, work together and be Christian friends even though they don't all sign off on the same creed. As a United Methodist Church we (most of us anyway) embrace the position of Methodism that there are four valid sources of religious belief: Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience. The heart of St. Paul's message is the affirmation of God's reality and love as experienced in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the creation.  A word of warning: Here at St. Paul's we don't really claim to be cutting edge or to spiritually know it all. If you are cutting edge and know it all, please join us and help bring us up to speed. If you aren't you will fit right in.  We are a welcoming church who thanks God for the grace and light he has given us and we move forward with open hearts for the further grace and light still to come.

The St. Paul’s Story Humble Beginnings In a Salvation Army member’s kitchen, eighteen people of various faiths gathered on a September morning in 1890. Miss Sophie Hubert organized the Union Mission Sunday School in the southern part of the city. Membership increased rapidly and soon a suitable place of worship needed to be found. The First United Methodist Church contributed $200, an a canvas and board tent was erected on E. Mill Street. Often as many as 60 people filled the tent. Two years later a strong wind blew the tent down. The members determined to erect a building and with mostly volunteer labor a 24 X 35 feet building was constructed. In March 1893 Reverend A. F. Bridges, a member of First Methodist Church and an elder, was appointed pastor for the Union Mission. He organized the South Colorado Springs Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1895 the building was moved from South Colorado Springs onto a leased lot at he corner of Nevada Avenue and Las Animas Street. The name was changed to St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1899 the building was moved once again to the 400 block of South Nevada. The building was added onto included one room donated by General William J. Palmer. Property located at Nevada and Vermijo Streets was purchased in 1909 and a parsonage was built. The Ladies Aid Society was organized in the early 1900’s. This group toiled diligently to benefit the need of our city. They raised money through their pledges, pancake, chili, and oyster suppers. They donated quilts and garments to the patients at the health center for tuberculosis. A men’s group, the Order of Lion-Hearted Knights of Methodism, was organized in 1922. They had a weekly Sunday class and they also performed many services for the community. They also formed a glee club, who provided special music in worship. A large stained glass window, ‘The Good Shepherd” now located in the chapel, was place din the church in memory of Olivia Helm in the mid- 1900’s. Through the 1950’s much discussion was held regarding relocating the church to the north end. In September of 1959 the California Oil Company bought the property with St. Paul’s having the privilege of retaining or salvaging the building and furnishings. The First United Pentecostal Church bought and relocated the building. “The Good Shepherd” window was crated and stored with a pledge to keep this special stained glass window with the St. Paul’s Methodist Church. A resolution was adopted in September 1959 authorizing the Trustees to purchase 13 lots near Longfellow School. The the spring of 1960 a brick parsonage was built at 2115 Carlton Ave. This building was later used for Sunday School classes and was named “Wesley House.” From December 1959 until the spring of 1961 the congregation met in the Longfellow Elementary School. On July 17, 1960 a ground-breaking ceremony was held. Organizational work began for the formation of a Boy Scout Troop to be sponsored by ST. Paul’s. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held on Palm Sunday, 1961, led by Rev. jack Hill. As the church grow, so did the building need to grow. By 1966 plans were being formed for an addition. The addition, including a new sanctuary was completed in October 1969. The church continued to grow and reach out to the community through exercise classes Mother’s Day Out program, and so a new addition was completed March 24, 1984. March 1991 our current stained glass project was completed.

Church Membership Church membership is open to any and all who seek the presence of God in their lives. Please visit with Pastor Leslie if you are requesting Baptism for you or your child. Persons may become members of The United Methodist Church by: Vows and profession of faith; Transfer from another United Methodist Church; Transfer from another body of the Christian Church; Affiliate transfer if they are Methodists and will be in town a short while; or Associate transfer if they belong to another denomination and are in town for a short while. Baptism Profession of faith includes: Affirming your baptismal vows; Commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord; Accepting the Old and New Testaments; Commitment to live the Christian life and remain a faithful member of Christ's Holy Church through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service. If you would like to discuss membership with Pastor Leslie; please contact the church office.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is one of two sacraments we celebrate in the United Methodist Church. Communion, also known at the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is a means by which God encounters us, works in us, and sustains us in grace and love. Through the bread and the juice, we remember the depths of Jesus love for us. We are then sent out to share this great love with the world.
As United Methodists, we welcome all to the communion table, you need not be a member of our church, nor any church, in order to receive this gift from God. At St. Paul’s UMC we celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month, in general.

We take the sacrament to homebound people, or those otherwise unable to come to worship. If you would like to receive Holy Communion, contact the Church Office.

Baptism is one of two sacraments we celebrate in the United Methodist Church. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inner and spiritual reality. In baptism we celebrate the promise between ourselves and God. God promises to adopt us into his family through grace. We promise to live a life of faith and love. Through baptism we become part of the Church family, God washes away our sin and pours the Holy Spirit upon us. Baptism signifies the working of God’s grace which continues throughout our lifetime. Thus in baptism we look back with gratitude on what God’s grace has already accomplished in our life and we look forward to a lifetime of further and deeper experiences with God.

We recognize all baptisms done in the name of Jesus Christ because baptism initiates us into Christ’s whole Church and not merely into a denomination. While we are less than perfect in keeping our promises to God we recognize that God is steadfast in his promise to us. Therefore we do not see a need to be re-baptized. Though, we do re-affirm baptisms, especially at times when one wants to renew or seek a deeper commitment to following Jesus Christ after a lapse.

We baptize people of all ages believing that the body of Christ includes all people. In Mark 10:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” In the early Church we see many situations where whole households were baptized. God’s grace is at work in adults, children and infants. Thus, we baptize infants, children and adults.

If you are interested in being baptized or having your child baptized, contact Pastor Leslie