our history
First established in 1769, our historic parish is an original member of the Diocese of Central Florida. Our current church building dates from 1907, and its dedication to Saint Paul the Apostle from 1922.
We celebrate and treasure our historic legacy as the oldest church in New Smyrna. Religious ties date back to Anglican services performed in the English Crown Colony of Old Smyrna, circa 1764, by the Rev. John Forbes of St. Augustine. In 1769, a year after Dr. Andrew Turnbull founded the colony of New Smyrna, a Church of England congregation was formed as the first established Anglican congregation in Florida, under the Rev. John Fraser.
During the British Colonial period, which ended in 1783, records show the existence of an Anglican church building in New Smyrna, but no trace of it remains. When the British lost their Florida colonies to Spain in 1783, the Church of England dwindled away and no services were held for 40 years. Spain would only tolerate the Roman Catholic Church in their possessions.
After Florida became a United States territory in 1821, the church in New Smyrna was revived once more with the arrival of Episcopal missionaries to this region. With the formation of several Episcopal congregations throughout Florida, seven of those (including ours) joined together in 1838 to organize the Diocese of Florida before Florida's statehood in 1845.
From 1875 to 1906, several church denominations shared a community church building, called "Union Church", at the corner of Washington and Faulkner Streets in New Smyrna. In 1907 the existing church was constructed at the corner of Palmetto and Downing streets, under the name of Grace Church. The architectural style is 'Carpenter Gothic'.
In 1922, the first resident Priest-in-Charge was the Rev. John Cyril Marsden. During that year, the church was consecrated under the patronage of Saint Paul the Apostle by the Rt. Rev. Cameron Mann. The Altar Guild was also established during that year. Saint Paul's was elevated from mission to parish status in 1952. The Rev. Charles O. Farrar, the Rev. David C. Clark, the Rev. Kee H. Harrison and the Rev. Larry D. Lossing, served as Rectors in the years from 1954 to 1982.
The year 1977 was a banner year for the history of St. Paul's. The church building was moved from its first location, to its current location, 1650 Live Oak St. and the sacristy was added. The Parish Day School was opened on October 31st of that year and is still in existence today.
From 1983 to 2008, the Rev. James C. Biegler, the Rt Rev. Reginald Hollis, and the Rev. G. Richmond Bridge, and the Rev. C. Blake Rambo served as Rectors. During that time many changes and additions occurred. A new organ was installed, The Resurrection Garden was completed, new pews were installed, and the Riverview Counseling Ministries was established. The Rev. W.D. Miller IV served as rector from 2010 to 2014, when he was called to lead Camp Wingmann in our diocese. In January 1 of 2015, Fr. Rodney Roehner was called to be our rector and served until 2020; our new preschool building was built under his leadership.
On September 1, 2021, Fr Matthew C. Dallman, Obl.S.B. began as our Rector. He was instituted on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (8 Sept.). We are inspired and comforted by the Holy Spirit as we continue our ministry, and we are enthusiastic about our spiritual growth and opportunities to work in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We celebrate and treasure our historic legacy as the oldest church in New Smyrna. Religious ties date back to Anglican services performed in the English Crown Colony of Old Smyrna, circa 1764, by the Rev. John Forbes of St. Augustine. In 1769, a year after Dr. Andrew Turnbull founded the colony of New Smyrna, a Church of England congregation was formed as the first established Anglican congregation in Florida, under the Rev. John Fraser.
During the British Colonial period, which ended in 1783, records show the existence of an Anglican church building in New Smyrna, but no trace of it remains. When the British lost their Florida colonies to Spain in 1783, the Church of England dwindled away and no services were held for 40 years. Spain would only tolerate the Roman Catholic Church in their possessions.
After Florida became a United States territory in 1821, the church in New Smyrna was revived once more with the arrival of Episcopal missionaries to this region. With the formation of several Episcopal congregations throughout Florida, seven of those (including ours) joined together in 1838 to organize the Diocese of Florida before Florida's statehood in 1845.
From 1875 to 1906, several church denominations shared a community church building, called "Union Church", at the corner of Washington and Faulkner Streets in New Smyrna. In 1907 the existing church was constructed at the corner of Palmetto and Downing streets, under the name of Grace Church. The architectural style is 'Carpenter Gothic'.
In 1922, the first resident Priest-in-Charge was the Rev. John Cyril Marsden. During that year, the church was consecrated under the patronage of Saint Paul the Apostle by the Rt. Rev. Cameron Mann. The Altar Guild was also established during that year. Saint Paul's was elevated from mission to parish status in 1952. The Rev. Charles O. Farrar, the Rev. David C. Clark, the Rev. Kee H. Harrison and the Rev. Larry D. Lossing, served as Rectors in the years from 1954 to 1982.
The year 1977 was a banner year for the history of St. Paul's. The church building was moved from its first location, to its current location, 1650 Live Oak St. and the sacristy was added. The Parish Day School was opened on October 31st of that year and is still in existence today.
From 1983 to 2008, the Rev. James C. Biegler, the Rt Rev. Reginald Hollis, and the Rev. G. Richmond Bridge, and the Rev. C. Blake Rambo served as Rectors. During that time many changes and additions occurred. A new organ was installed, The Resurrection Garden was completed, new pews were installed, and the Riverview Counseling Ministries was established. The Rev. W.D. Miller IV served as rector from 2010 to 2014, when he was called to lead Camp Wingmann in our diocese. In January 1 of 2015, Fr. Rodney Roehner was called to be our rector and served until 2020; our new preschool building was built under his leadership.
On September 1, 2021, Fr Matthew C. Dallman, Obl.S.B. began as our Rector. He was instituted on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (8 Sept.). We are inspired and comforted by the Holy Spirit as we continue our ministry, and we are enthusiastic about our spiritual growth and opportunities to work in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.