Mission:

We, the people of Saint Paul Catholic Church's, believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and in the real Presence of Christ, Our Lord in the Eucharist. We are a community that prays together, and we give of our time, talent and treasure. We seek to be good examples of Christian living by loving one another as Christ loves us, and by placing high values on family life. We believe all human life has value from beginning to end. We see our parish as a family and seek out and welcome ALL people.

History:

In 1906, Evansville?s new Catholic congregation purchased land on the southeast corner of First Street and Garfield Avenue and decided to build a church. On September 23, 1906, mass was said in the City Hall. Then a procession of priests, parishioners, and townspeople went to the church site, where a crowd of 2000 people had gathered to watch the priests raise a huge wooden cross and lay the cornerstone. The church building went up rapidly and the dedication was held the following spring with the Archbishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee presiding. The congregation also broke ground for a rectory, just south of the church.  The architect-builder, William B. Meggot and his bride, Ella Cassidy, were the first to be married in the new church.

In 1913, the church was enlarged with an addition to the rear of the church, 14 X 42 feet that included a sanctuary and sacristies.  The interior of the church was frescoed and a new alter was added. The altar was hand carved and of gothic design, with a 4 X 11 foot panel of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper under the table. A six hundred pound bell was installed in the belfry. This was only the first of many major remodeling.  Each time a new priest was assigned to the parish, there were changes made to either the church building or the rectory. In 1914, the basement was finished into a parish hall and the congregation celebrated by having a St. Patrick?s Day Supper in the new hall.

In addition to the celebrations of baptisms, marriages and confirmations, there were also many happy times at the annual Irish picnics held in the Finnane Woods north of the city. Stores and factories in Evansville closed so the townspeople could attend. Irish music, dancing, speeches and delicious food helped members of the congregation and their friends play and dine together each year.  Proceeds from the picnics were used to fund church projects.

For many years, there was talk of creating a parochial school. From 1920 until the 1960?s various proposals were made to purchase property and erect a building for school purposes. In lieu of a school, Mercy Sisters from Janesville and Dominican Sisters from Oregon came to teach catechism to the children of the parish. Members of the congregation volunteered to transport the teachers. More recently the parish priest and lay volunteers have taught the children their catechism.

Today's church is very different, both in appearance and in service from the early church. The sanctuary has a simpler design and decoration.  Services are now said in English, rather than Latin with the congregation participating as readers, Eucharistic ministers, and song leaders. The Irish picnics have been replaced with annual parish picnics. The Knights of Columbus and the women of the parish hold fundraisers to help with church projects.