St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Our history... St Paul’s is the 9th largest Parish in the South Dakota Diocese, which has 18 Parishes, 23 Missions, and 79 churches. The Diocese began in the 1800’s with ministry to the Santee People in Minnesota, who were expelled to Dakota Territory. An Episcopal Missionary District called Niobrara was created in 1871; William Hobart Hare was the first Bishop. Bishop Hare created a Niobrara Cross, which was given to converts. In 1971 the District became the Diocese of South Dakota.
       Brookings was platted as a railroad town in 1879. In 1892, Episcopal pioneers held a service in their new church building. There were 40 men, women and children. The current church and rectory were built in 1918; designed by Ralph Adams Cram, who designed many collegiate and ecclesiastical works in a neo-Gothic style. Thorburn Hall is named for Fr. Frank Thorburn, long-time missionary to the Native Americans and first Rector of St Paul’s. In 1952 St Paul’s became a Parish. The parish currently serves about 50 families. Our Parish grounds have been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation in their Gardening for Wildlife Program.

Our Mission...
Our mission, in Christ, is to foster community through spiritual growth, witness, and service in the Episcopal tradition.
Our Goals...
     - Build a strong liturgical base
     - Spiritual and numerical growth
     - Christian formation for all ages
     - Viable presence in the community