• Sunday services at 10:30AM
• Sunday School children & nursery meet during the church service
  
• Handicap elevator
  
• St. Paul's cemetery is located on the east end of Perth Street. Contact Alan Eaton @ 613-838-3650
• Congregation dates back to 1827

Brief History of St. Paul’s

Out church history goes back to 1820 when occasional preachers visited this district.   In 1822 Rev. Ezra Healey, an American who devoted his life to Canada, came to the Rideau Circuit which was comprised of all the country on the Rideau from Merrickville to Ottawa and Hull including Richmond.     He favoured the Richmond area with weekly services and organized a regular appointment here and in places nearby.   Where there were no roads for a horse, he walked often in mud to his knees with saddlebag on his back or slung over his shoulder….hence the expression “saddlebag preachers”.   He preached in various homes and was much loved by all. 

The Richmond Circuit was formed in 1827.   Early Methodists held their services in homes but in 1846 a small chapel was built and in 1866 the church became Wesleyan Methodist.       In 1877 the new church was built on the site of the present Masonic Hall and the total cost was $3,000.00.  It was considered to be one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical structures in this part of the country with its’ ten gothic windows that were figured enameled glass and the elegant furnishings inside.  In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Henry McElroy sold the present manse to the Richmond Circuit for the sum of $1.00.

In 1900 the church was destroyed by fire and the lot sold.  In 1901 the present site was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. R. McElroy & Mr. and Mrs. W. J. McElroy for $350.00.       The corner stone for the new and present church was laid in July 26, 1901.

The Richmond Circuit was comprised of Richmond, Stittsville, Mansfield and Fallowfield.        In 1925 (Church Union)  the Richmond Methodist Church, with a membership of 103, became St. Paul’s United Church.    As the church continued to grow (1961 – 200 members) the need for an addition became apparent.   After planning, a sod turning ceremony took place on May 30, 1965.  Services resumed in September 1965 in the enlarged church.   The enlargement consisted of a new front and rear entrances, a church hall, a kitchen, a furnace room, washrooms, a choir room and an unfinished chancel.    Rev. W. W. LeGrow was the minister at this time.

In June 1970 the chancel was completed through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Laffin as a memorial to his parents.    Carpeting and new pews were installed making a centre aisle.    On May 6, 1973 a mortgage burning ceremony took place.

We are proud of our sanctuary  that has nine beautiful stain glass windows along the sides of the church and a larger one at the front in the chancel area.      The pews were updated in the years following the renovations but one pew from the original church still remains as a reminder of how uncomfortable the older pews were!

In 1983 St. Paul’s raised enough money to purchase Stittsville’s United Church’s share of the manse.     St. Paul’s and Stittsville United Church made up the Richmond-Stittsville Pastoral Charge and in 1991 they each became a separate charge. 

In 1997 St. Paul’s added a new covered entrance way which was paid for by memorial donations as well as individuals who made donations to the cause.    The Walter Foster family donated  the beautiful stained glass panels which go around the new doors in the entranceway.      The Fosters donation was dedicated in 1997 in memory of their son Scott.   

A special fundraising effort was made in 1998 to purchase an updated sound system.  

St. Paul’s celebrated our 175^th Anniversary in 2002.    In 2005 a handicap elevator was installed after a couple of years fundraising for it.     The front entrance way outside was updated at the same time by making a ramped interlocking stone walkway.     Inside the entranceway, ceramic tile was laid on both sets of stairs as well as the area in between.

St. Paul’s has been noted for its involvement with refugees going back to the Vietnam boat people in the 1970’s.   Other outreach programs of St. Paul’s include the Richmond Community Food Bank established by St. Paul’s in 1985 and still housed in the church.   Eco-Tech Club for children which involves learning about ecology and hands-on experience with gardening, Bible studies and spiritual development study groups.

Major fund raisers include our annual  Fall Supper (2003, 2006 & 2007 included a Silent Auction) providing meals for the Richmond Fair every four years, selling Gift Cards for approximately 40 merchants and our ongoing pie sales.

St. Paul’s is an active, vital church that has played an important role in the community of Richmond and in the lives of its members since 1827.   It continues to do so today.