Our History

In 1885, about 800 people lived in the village of Chatham. That year, Frank Moore, a staunch Episcopalian, moved to Chatham with his family, and there being no Episcopal church in town, set about starting one.

Consecrated as a mission church in April 1909, St. Paul's "graduated" from mission to parish status in 1951.

Church Leaders

The Rev. Guy Emery "Ship" Shipler served as "Vicar" (he conducted services on Sundays and for baptisms, weddings and funerals but was to have no parochial duties) of the mission chruch from 1917-1945. He was also editor of The Churchman magazine, published in New York		The Rev. Karl G. Kumm (pronounced Koom) was the last Vicar and first Rector of St Paul's. He served as Vicar from 1945-1951 and Rector from 1951-1962.
In 1962, the Rev. Walter Bell was called as rector, and during his 18 years with us, we built a new sanctuary for the church, women became lay readers and a woman priest, the Rev. Denise Haines, was called as part-time assistant.		The Rev. John Branson came to St. Paul's in 1980 and served the parish as rector for 10 years, sharing his energy and many gifts with us.

When Denise Haines resigned in 1981 to become Archdeacon in the Diocese, the parish called our first full-time assistant, the Rev. Emily Gibson. After Emily left St. Paul's in 1986 for a larger church in Corning, N.Y., the Rev. Elizabeth Wigg Maxwell joined us, also as full-time assistant, resigning in 1990 to begin a family.

Having determined that we could not continue to support the increasing expense of a full-time assistant, we called Drew University seminarian Vicki McGrath as part-time assistant. She joined the staff in the fall, bringing a lively spirit and fresh outlook to her responsibilities for worship services and youth activities. Two months later, John Branson received a call from Christ and Holy Trinity Church in Westport, Conn., and resigned from St. Paul's, moving in January 1991.

In April 1991, the vestry called the Rev. Franklin "Skip" Vilas, D.Min., to become the rector of St. Paul's. Skip brought to the parish a wide outward-looking focus, and he reflected in his ministry the commitment to environmental stewardship that many in the parish felt important. The Rev. Margaret "Bambi" Smithers Koeniger came as seminarian in training and then, after her ordination in 1995, became part-time Assistant to the Rector. During Skip's three-month pulpit exchange in Australia, she was Priest-in-Charge, and upon his return was promoted to Associate Rector.

In 1996, the decision was made to conduct a three-year $500,000 capital drive, "St. Paul's Tomorrow". The vestry subsequently voted to spend $300,000 on needed upgrades and repairs to the physical structure, $100,000 for endowment, and $100,000 for outreach.

In 1999, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our first Eucharistic service by hosting a gala brunch for the entire parish to enjoy. Former rectors and Jared Moore, a descendant of our founder and our oldest parishioner, were all in attendance.