Our History

Founding and Early Growth (1963–1969)

The idea for a new Episcopal mission in Fayetteville emerged on November 10, 1963, when lay leaders from St. John’s and Holy Trinity Churches met with Bishop Thomas H. Wright. They recognized a need to serve the many military families at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. The Rev. Jordan Peck agreed to serve as Vicar, and the first services were held in a chapel constructed in his garage. With funding from the Elliott Fund and the Diocese, land on Ireland Drive was purchased and a new building constructed. Groundbreaking was held April 12, 1964, and on August 9, the first Communion service took place. The building was dedicated on November 8, 1964. A special touch of continuity came from hymn boards salvaged from the old St. John’s Church in Wilmington, which still hang in the sanctuary.

Growth came rapidly. Just a year after founding, the church was recognized as a diocesan mission at the 1965 convention. In 1966, Fr. Peck was called to serve in Guam, and Rev. Edward B. Jordan became the second Vicar. During his tenure, the church became an Aided Parish, and a larger Parish Hall was completed and opened in August 1968. After Fr. Jordan’s departure in 1968, lay leaders and visiting clergy kept the parish active until Rev. Thomas A. Gregg arrived in 1969. Under his leadership, the congregation launched a long-term project to install stained glass windows illustrating the lives of Jesus and St. Paul—a project completed decades later in 2014.

Building Community and Ministry (1974–1990s)

Fr. Gregg left in 1974, and the Rev. Joseph W. Cooper became the fourth rector. He oversaw the construction of classrooms with the help of the local technical college, adding a nursery and three rooms for Christian education. He also introduced the new Prayer Book and 1982 Hymnal into regular worship.

After Fr. Cooper’s departure in 1982, the church called Rev. Lucy B. Talbott in 1983—the first woman to lead a parish in the Diocese of East Carolina. Under her 17-year leadership, St. Paul’s became a full parish in 1989 and expanded its presence in both the Diocese and the wider community. The congregation launched creative ministries like “God’s Clods,” a liturgical clown group offering pastoral care across the state, and became deeply involved in outreach efforts—helping build a Habitat House, providing shelter to hospital visitors, sponsoring a Bosnian refugee family, and participating in Interfaith Hospitality and the Migrant Farm Workers Ministry.

A Legacy of Service and Inclusion (2000–Present)

In the spirit of “Radical Hospitality,” St. Paul’s began publicly affirming the full inclusion of all people regardless of age, race, or sexual orientation. The church raised thousands for HIV/AIDS ministries, collected clothing and supplies for farmworkers, and continued welcoming those in need.

The Rev. John Thomas Frazier—known affectionately as “Father John”—was a Marine veteran who joined the church in 2005. He was ordained at St. John’s in Fayetteville in 2006 and served St. Paul’s until his retirement in 2020. Throughout the pandemic and beyond, he continued to serve as supply priest. As of 2023, he remains an active and cherished leader.

Today, the vestry and congregation remain faithful stewards of the mission first envisioned in a garage more than 60 years ago—continuing to welcome all who seek God’s love.