The Intersection of Faith and Culture

St. Paul’s NYC, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, was established in 1858 by the first community of Roman Catholic Priests founded in America: The Paulist Fathers.

Father Isaac Thomas Hecker, who founded both  this parish, and the Paulist Fathers, spent his youth a “searcher” – much like many young adults today, searching for greater meaning. Drawn by a mystical experience and the depth of Catholic tradition, young Isaac Hecker would join the church and be ordained a priest. He then founded the Paulist Fathers, an order of priests with a special focus on evangelization within the United States.

Therefore, when it came time to build a Mother Church for the Paulist Fathers, it was crucial that the church reflect America.  St Paul the Apostle, was decorated by some of the greatest American artists of the 19th century. You can learn more about these artists here. 

Today, Paulist Fathers continue Father Hecker’s vision of being missionaries to North America. They share the good news of God’s love and compassion in downtown parishes, on college campuses, and through all forms of modern media. Hecker himself is now being considered for sainthood. 

Anywhere you find the intersection of faith and culture, you will likely find a Paulist. Through books published by Paulist Press, through films and television programs produced by Paulist Productions, and through the Busted Halo website and radio show, Paulists reach out to people in all walks of life.

In New York City, St Paul the Apostle remains a gathering place for everyone. Programs engage young adults, LGBTQ Catholics, artists, returning Catholics and seekers. Through its food pantry and regular collections for local youth, parishioners serve hundreds of their neighbors in need.

The church welcomes students from neighboring colleges and universities, including Fordham University, the Juilliard School, New York Institute of Technology, and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The Church of Saint Paul the Apostle is a designated New York City landmark, and is located just a block from Columbus Circle and the main entrance to Central Park. We also have a great view of Lincoln Center. If you’re too far away to join our community full-time, be sure to pay us a visit on your next trip to the Big Apple!