St. Paul Church

An architectural masterpiece of modern American Gothic design, constructed between 1955 and 1956 under the vision of architect and parishioner Thomas Henry Moran, St. Paul Parish blends enduring structural materials with profound sacred symbolism.

The Stone & Tower: The exterior is built from durable North Carolina Mount Airy granite and Indiana limestone trim. Rising 88 feet heavenward, the bell tower houses a peal of historic and newly cast bells.

The Guardian of the Faith: Standing proudly in front of the church is a 10-foot Carrara marble statue of St. Paul, clutching his scroll of Epistles and his sword of the Spirit (Spiritus Gladius). Sculpted at the Armando Battelli Studios in Pietrasanta, Italy, it was a gift from general contractor John McShane.

The Living Foundation: In a poignant tradition linking the old church to the new, the main altar and the Blessed Virgin Mary Altar from the previous church were crushed and mixed directly into the concrete foundation poured for the current building.

The Altar & Italian Marbles: The interior is an homage to fine Italian stonework from Pietrasanta:

The Predella (Platform): Made of deep Red Levanto marble.

The Altar: Crafted from warm tan Botticino marble, featuring symbols of the Eucharist and St. Paul.

The Reredos: Rising 27 feet behind the altar, it features a center slab of coral framed by Portoro marble. It supports a 13-foot oak cross with an 8-foot lindenwood corpus carved by New York artist Henry Burretta, outlined in Venetian gold mosaic.

Thoughtful Interior Details: The walls are lined with Indiana limestone for atmosphere and low upkeep, complemented by laminated trusses, quarry tile aisles, and terrazzo floors. The space also features updated reconciliation rooms for both traditional screen and face-to-face confessions, alongside shrines dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anthony, Padre Pio, the Sacred Heart, and St. Thérèse the Little Flower.

Stained Glass Windows: A Visual Scripture

Designed and executed by Hiemer and Company in Clifton, New Jersey, the windows weave a rich tapestry of sacred history:

The Twelve Side Windows: Three-panel masterpieces depicting major events in Christ's life and the Blessed Mother, including the Creation, the Nativity, the Wedding at Cana, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Conversion of St. Paul.

The Choir & Vestibule Windows: The choir window highlights symbols of the Creed and the Seven Sacraments. The front vestibule windows display the symbols of St. Peter (crossed keys and inverted cross) and St. Paul (sword and book).

The Sanctuary Windows: Preserved directly from the 1919 church, these windows portray various beloved saints.

The Music & Bells: A Heavenly Soundscape

The Bells: The 88-foot tower houses five bronze bells. Three were cast by the famed Paccard Foundry in Annecy, France, and installed by Princeton Carillonneur Professor Arthur L. Bigelow (who donated the bell dedicated to St. Vincent DePaul alongside a re-tuned center bell from the 1870 church). Two additional bells were added in June 1964.

The Pipe Organ: Following the retirement of the original 1917 Haskell organ, the parish installed a magnificent organ originally donated to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in 1925. Renovated and rebuilt under the direction of Robert E. Gladden, it was formally dedicated by Bishop John Reiss on October 22, 1984, upholding the Vatican's tradition of the pipe organ adding "wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies."

Intimate Chapels for Prayer & Remembrance

The Eucharistic Chapel: Nestled next to the sanctuary and renovated in 2005 with glass doors and warm lighting, it features an imported San Damiano cross, a carved figure of Christ and children, and a carved wood statue of the Blessed Mother—creating a serene space for Eucharistic adoration.

The Remembrance Chapel: Originally the site of the baptismal font in the bell tower, this space was transformed during the Year of St. Paul into a tranquil memorial for the parish's faithful departed, featuring memorial lights, the parish's Book of Remembrance, and a handmade tapestry of Our Lady.