In the Midst of Celebrating 250 Years of Service in Christ's Name!
The 250th Anniversary celebrations of St. Paul's commemorate the period from the very first worship service off the settlers of Halifax upon their arrival, June 21, 1749, to the first service in the new building, September 2, 1750.

Highlights of our celebrations

The celebrations were launched with a noon-day concert in the church on June 17, 1999, and then commemorative services on Sunday, June 20 with Bishop Peter Mason, fourteenth rector, as guest preacher. These special services marked the anniversary of the first church service held in Halifax, when Governor Edward Cornwallis and the new settlers arrived.

On the first of July, the church held a Strawberry Tea and Summer Fair on the Grand Parade. The weather and strawberries were both delightful, and there was an organ recital in the church. The recital was preceded by readings from parishioner Sarah Baxter Emsley's anniversary book, St. Paul's in the Grand Parade, 1749-1999.

The highlight of the summer celebrations was St. Paul's participation in the Ed Shreyer Habitat for Humanity building project in Dartmouth, from July 11-16, 1999. The congregation of St. Paul's sponsored the construction of one of ten houses built during this project, with a great deal of labour, energy and time committed to the building process as well as financial support. Members of the church worked alongside volunteers who had traveled from far and wide to help with construction, and with a great deal of hard work from all volunteers as well as from the family purchasing the home. The home was built on a firm foundation!

Our Homecoming Weekend festivities included three performances of parishioner Fiona Day's play, St. Paul's of Halifax: As it was . . . is now  . . . and . . . This dramatic representation of the history of the church was well-received by an audience of parishioners as the community. The weekend also included a festive banquet, a Homecoming Sunday service, as a gala picnic on the Grand Parade. These events were a wonderful opportunity for celebration and fellowship!

Special services during the anniversary year featured guest preachers including former rectors Archdeacon Harry Hilchey, Bishop Peter Mason and the Rev. Fred Crook, as well as Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of All Canada.

Other events included: a Lenten Lecture Series on "Our Parish Heritage"; the Parish Retreat; Services commemorating the laying of the cornerstone; children's musical presentations; and St. Paul's own welcome to the tourists and crews in Halifax for the visit of the Tall Ships 2000.

For further information on our ongoing celebrations, contact the church office at 429-2240.