St. Paul's Church

A Brief History of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Since 1792...

The history of Saint Paul's Church predates the City of Steubenville, going back to 1792 when the Reverend Joseph Doddridge (a newly ordained deacon) began holding services on both sides of the Ohio River in this area. A Bishop of the Church did not get around to visiting these frontier Episcopalians until May 17, 1819 when The Right Reverend Philander Chase (the Bishop of the 'new' Diocese of Ohio) "officially" organized Saint Paul's Church of Steubenville, baptized 20 children, confirmed 38 individuals, and celebrated Mass.

Saint Paul's Church is the first organized parish in the State of Ohio, is the oldest church building in the City of Steubenville, and continues its vital witness to the fullness of the Catholic Faith in its stately Anglican style.