What should I wear?

Men attending our Sunday morning services typically wear business suits and sports coats, and women wear dresses or slacks, but it is common to see more casual attire-sports shirts and khakis-especially during the summer.  People tend to dress more casually for the 5:00 p.m. service in the chapel than they do for the morning services in the nave. At all services, the range of “acceptable outfits” is broad, and we encourage you to wear clothes that are comfortable for you. We value your presence more than the clothes you have on!

Where do I park?

St. Paul’s main parking lots are beside the church, accessible from Pilot View Street and Fifth Street. Handicapped parking is available in the lot directly behind the church.  The church owns the white brick building at 875 West Fifth Street, diagonally across Summit Street from the church building. Parking is available beside the building, off Pilot View Street. On-street parking is available on the streets surrounding the church.

Where should I sit in church?

You are welcome to sit wherever you are comfortable, on the main floor or in the balcony, so long as the pews are not marked reserved. The ushers are happy to help you with any special needs or seating requirements you may have, including space for walkers and  wheelchairs. Our church is equipped with a Telecoil or T-Coil system to enhance the ability of those with hearing aids to hear sounds amplified by our audio system. For best results, those with hearing aids should sit in the lower middle section of the nave as close to the center aisle as possible. To determine if your hearing aid is T-Coil-compatible, check with your audiologist.

What can I expect during my first visit?

When you approach the front of St. Paul’s to attend a worship service, you will be greeted by volunteers from our Welcome Committee. If you wish, you may identify yourself as a visitor, or simply proceed into the church where an usher will greet you and hand you a service leaflet and an announcements supplement. We usually invite visitors to fill out a visitor card, but we will not ask you to stand or otherwise make yourself known. If you complete one and drop it in the offering plate, a member of our clergy will contact you.

Is there a nursery available?

Child care for infants and toddlers is available during Sunday morning services in rooms off the first-floor Preschool hallway, accessible through the Goodheart Entrance. Children’s Chapel is offered to children three years old and older.

There is a nursery accessible through the side door to the left as you face the high altar, near the baptismal font, where parents sometimes take fussy children during services.

Is there Sunday School for children and adults?

From the weekend after Labor Day through the weekend before Memorial Day, St. Paul’s offers classes for children, youth and adults from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.  Locations for our classes can be found in the ParishWeek supplement to the service leaflet.

How long is the service?

Typically, Sunday worship services take about an hour.

What if I’m not an Episcopalian?

St. Paul’s welcomes visitors from other denominations, and all are welcome and encouraged to participate in the service. You can follow the service in the service leaflet and The Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnnal 1982 located in the racks on the back of the pews. The Readings for the day are printed in the ParishWeek supplement to the service leaflet.

Is there a class for newcomers?

During its winter-spring class session that begins in mid-January, St. Paul’s offers Episcopal 101, a series of classes covering various aspects of the Episcopal Church. The series is designed especially for young people and adults seeking confirmation, reception or reaffirmation of their baptismal vows in the spring, but is open to anyone who wants to know more about various aspects of the church.

How can I get more information?

After services in the nave, you may stop by the welcome banner near the side entrance off the covered walkway near the front of the church where you fill find members of the Welcome Committee and clergy to greet you and answer any questions you may have. We encourage you to browse our web site, pick up literature from the racks near the welcome banner and on the table outside the chapel. You may also call the church at (336) 723-4391 during office hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.