Who We Are & What We Believe
Welcome to St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a welcoming and historic parish grounded in worship, sacred beauty, thoughtful faith, music, and vibrant community life. We combine reverence with warmth, tradition with accessibility, and beauty with authentic human connection.
We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and have served Wilmington since 1858. Worship and Holy Eucharist are at the center of our common life. From that center, we learn, care for one another, offer hospitality, and carry Christ’s love into the community.
Worship
Beautiful liturgy, prayer, sacrament, and sacred music draw us into the life of God.
Welcome
Christian hospitality calls us to open our doors and hearts so that every person can be seen, supported, and invited into belonging.
Witness
Faith becomes visible through service, beauty, compassion, formation, and a faithful presence in Wilmington and beyond.
Mission
Open doors. Open hearts. Open hands.
We welcome all to live God’s mission, teach Christ’s love, and transform our community by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Vision
We believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We follow Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection save and renew the world.
The Episcopal Church in the United States descends from and remains connected with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church. We are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, one of the world’s largest Christian traditions.
We receive the Bible as Holy Scripture and pray through the Book of Common Prayer. The ancient creeds summarize the faith we share, while the catechism provides a framework for learning.
Baptism joins us to Christ and the church; Holy Eucharist nourishes our common life; and the Baptismal Covenant calls us to continue in worship, resist evil, proclaim the Good News, seek and serve Christ in all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
We inherit a legacy of inclusion and continue striving to embody God’s love for every person. Women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons. Laypeople and clergy share leadership throughout the church. We believe leadership is a gift from God that can be expressed by all people, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you - no exceptions.
What Episcopalians Believe
Explore Episcopal Faith
Our Patron, St. Paul
St. Paul is one of the most influential saints of the Christian tradition. He traveled widely to preach, teach, and establish churches, then stayed connected with those communities through letters. His writings, preserved in the New Testament, have helped shape Christian faith and practice since the first century.