Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Address: 138 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111

Years Active: 1818–Present

Tradition: Episcopal Church

Known popularly for the large nautilus design on its facade, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul was established in 1818, the first Episcopal church founded in Boston following the Revolutionary War. St. Paul’s has a reputation for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and it has been part of a number of watershed moments in Boston’s queer religious history, including hosting the “first public healing services for people with AIDS,” as well as being the physical home of the LGBTQ+, lay-led Episcopal organization the Crossing. In 1971, St. Paul’s was one of the final stops in that year’s Pride Parade, and there marchers read a list of demands speaking against homophobia in Christian institutions. In addition to its queer religious involvement, St. Paul’s also played a role in the ordination of African Americans in the Episcopal tradition, as well as electing the first woman bishop in the Anglican Communion. (More information on this can be found on St. Paul’s webpage, linked below.) St. Paul’s emphasizes its commitment to welcome and diversity, housing, in addition to its normal Sunday services and the above-mentioned Crossing, Immigration & Multicultural Ministries, an unhoused-focused ministry service, and a Muslim Jum’ah prayer group.

Sources and Further Information:

https://www.stpaulboston.org/history

Relevant Pages:

The Crossing