St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Selma, AL - Anglican and Episcopal Churches on Waymarking.com

St. Paul's Episcopal Church has been a part of Alabama history going back to 1838, when the state capital was located in Tuscaloosa. Several prominent people have been involved in the church, some who played roles in the nation and some who are known within Episcopal Church circles. The bishop who dedicated the first building, the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, gained fame in a different area when he served as a general in the Confederate army. Several former Confederate generals were involved in the building of the current building. Several priests who served at St. Paul's became bishops, including the Rt. Rev. John Murray, who was the first elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church when they changed from seniority to election to choose who served in that position.

The church is located on Lauderdale Street near the intersection with Selma Avenue. For the year built, I decided to use the date of the first service in the new church, Easter Sunday, 1875.

More information on the church's history can be found in the two-sided historical marker located in front of the building:

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Est. 1838

The original church, built one block south of the present site, was consecrated in 1843 by Bishop Leonidas Polk. In 1861, the second Bishop of Alabama, the Rt. Rev. Richard H. Wilmer, was elected there. During the Battle of Selma, St. Paul’s rector, the Rev. James Ticknor, was wounded and the senior warden, Robert Philpot, was killed. Union troops under Gen. James H. Wilson burned the original church April 2, 1865.

The cornerstone for the present building was laid in 1871. William M. Weaver donated the property for the building designed by the renowned New York firm of R.& R.M. Upjohn in the English Gothic Revival style. The first service was held Easter Sunday 1875. Many of the South’s post war leaders were members of this parish including Lt. Gen. Joseph E Johnston, Lt. Gen Joseph Hardee, Maj. Gen. John H. Forney, Capt Catesby ap R. Jones, and Capt. Joseph Forney Johnston, who later served Alabama as Governor and U.S. Senator.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

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In 1890 Bishop Henry M. Jackson was elected and consecrated here. In 1893 former vestryman John G. Murray was ordained deacon and in the following year priest in St. Paul’s. Bishop Murray was the first elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States.

In 1900 St. Paul’s own rector, the Rev. Robert W. Barnwell, was elected Bishop of Alabama. He was consecrated in St. Paul’s and established Selma as his Episcopal Residence until his death. In 1924 the Cloister and Parish Hall were built with bricks from Old Cahawba. Selma artist Clara Weaver Parrish designed the focal point of the Parish Hall, the Wedding Feast of Cana. This stained glass window was executed by Tiffany and Company of New York.

One hundred years after the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement once more placed Selma in the national spotlight. Jonathan Myrick Daniels, an Episcopal seminarian from New Hampshire brought discord to St. Paul’s by bringing blacks to worship services forcing the Parish to evaluate its attendance policies. His activism led to his martyrdom in Hayneville later in 1965. He was commemorated by the Episcopal Church in 1991 and his statue now adorns Canterbury Cathedral.

Active Church: Yes School on property: No Date Built: 03/28/1875 Service Times: Sunday: 7:30am; 10:30am Website: [Web Link]

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