St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a parish within the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. This means that St. Paul's is part of the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, whose members trace their spiritual lineage to the Church of England. Anglicans, as members of the Communion are generally called, typically pursue God’s love and truth through Scripture, tradition, and reason. The Anglican ethos values patience and tolerance, and generous participation in the cultural life of the world.

We profess two principle creeds in the Episcopal Church: the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Apostles Creed is the ancient creed of Baptism. The Nicene Creed summarizes the beliefs of Christians. Read both here.

I’m not Episcopalian. Can I come to your church?
All are welcome, regardless of faith, creed, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age. Not to put too fine a point on it: all are welcome.  

I have small children. Can we attend services?
By all means. St. Paul’s is family-friendly, and your children may either remain with you during services or you may take advantage of either Church School or Sunday nursery care.  

How are you different from a Roman Catholic Church?
There are theological differences between the two churches – some subtle, some not-so-subtle. There are several key differences, though: The Pope is not the head of the Episcopal Church, although we recognize him as the head bishop of another branch of the Christian Church. In the Episcopal Church, women, as well as men, can be priests and bishops, and priests can also be married. Clergy and laity make decisions together. Also, all Christians are welcome to take communion in Episcopal churches, not just Episcopalians.  

Can Episcopalians believe whatever they want?
When the Church of England (which is the mother church of the Episcopal Church) was established in the 16th century by Queen Elizabeth, it was conceived as the "middle way" between Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation that was sweeping Europe. And so, the Episcopal Church traditionally has been a place where many points of view – and many questions – are welcomed as part of the life of faith. That faith is based on what we call the "three-legged stool": Scripture, tradition, and reason. Belief is found using the three-legged stool, guided by prayer and discernment within community.  

Do I need to be baptized to take Communion?
While this is not true at all Episcopal Churches, at St. Paul's we believe one must have been baptized to receive communion. Communion is an affirmation of what was begun at baptism. However, all baptised Christians, regardless of denomination, may receive communion at St. Paul's.   In addition, all are welcome to be baptized. Baptism is open to all. If you have questions or wish to know more about either baptism or comunion, please speak with the rector.  

Can I get married in your church? 
It is expected that couples interested in Christian marriage demonstrate a current, active, parish relationship or anticipate a future relationship to this parish in which their Christian family life and relationship can be nurtured and supported. One of the parties must be baptized. We require four months' notice prior to a wedding. Premarital counseling is required by the canons of the Episcopal Church. In the case of a divorced person who wishes to remarry, permission from the bishop is required. Learn more about getting married at St. Paul's by speaking with the rector.