Incorporated as a Presbyterian church in 1832, St. Paul’s celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1882 by developing plans for a new church. Four years later, on January 10, 1886, the new St. Paul’s was dedicated. This is the church building we still use today. In 1925, through the Act of Union, St. Paul’s became a member congregation of The United Church of Canada.

Located in downtown Fredericton, the church was designated a National Historic Site in 1990 for its “fine representative example of the High Victorian Gothic Revival Style”. Notable architectural elements include its stonework (random limestone walling and dressed sandstone to form quoins, window and door surrounds, copings, and band courses), copper roof, corner tower with tall spire and stained glass windows.

The interior sanctuary is characterized by a canted balcony and pews arranged in a semi-circle to face the pulpit and the large Casavant organ. The sanctuary

also displays rich woodwork and decorative painting. In addition to regular church services, the 1000-seat sanctuary is available to the community at large for concerts, recitals and the annual Advent Carol Festival.

Time and weather have taken their toll on this historic structure. An engineering study in 2002 identified damage on the north (front), east and west walls: stones have been displaced, caulking has deteriorated, windows have been damaged by the movement of stones, and there is water-related damage on the internal walls attributable to an aging roof.

In 2006 church officials, concerned about protecting the commemorative integrity of the structure and the safety of those entering (pieces of stone and mortar occasionally fell from the front/north wall onto the entrance steps), determined that repairs could no longer be avoided. A Restoration Capital Fund Campaign was launched in January 2007 to raise the required funds.

The initial estimate for the restoration work was $500,000. Plans called for the repairs to be done in phases as funds became available.

In April 2008, with over $225,000 raised through donations and fund-raising activities, work began on the north (front) wall. This phase of the project included re-installation of the east pinnacle (removed a few years earlier for safety reasons), repairs to the Rose Window and restoration of the stonework.

As any home owner can tell you, renovations and repairs are often accompanied by surprises and additional costs. The restoration project at St. Paul’s was no different.

Soon after the masons started their work on the north wall, they discovered a problem: the interior wall supporting the stone face had deteriorated and shifted and was no longer attached to the outer stonework.

Although no work was done in 2009 or 2010, fund raising efforts continue in anticipation of resuming the project in 2011.

• Masonry repairs to the east and west walls and bell tower
• New copper roofing on the lower levels of the east and west sides
• Restoration of the Johnston window.

This large Gothic mullion window in the upper east wall was installed when the church was built. Its pale colours, delicate patterns and thin glass are very distinctive and different from the stained glass windows installed in the 20th century.

The estimated cost for the remaining work is $500,000 - $600,000.

The congregation and friends of St. Paul’s are committed to preserving and protecting this historic church. Our forefathers entrusted it to our care. The people and Government of Canada have recognized its historic value. We must ensure it survives for future generations to use, enjoy and appreciate.

Please download our informative colour brochure for further details about our St. Paul's Restoration project.

Included in the brochure is a convenient form for making a donation to support the Restoration Fund.

Your donation will help St. Paul's continue its mission of glorifying God and serving others, and will ensure our church remains as a legacy for future generations.