St. Paul Episcopal Church originated in 1955, when a small group of area Episcopalians petitioned the Bishop of Chicago to start a mission in the city of McHenry.The request was granted and the first service of St. Paul Episcopal Church was held on January 15, 1956 in a small schoolhouse on Waukegan Road.Officiating was Rev. W. C Klein.In its early years, the church met in local schools and members’ homes.
In 1957, the Diocese purchased 5-1/2 acres in a growing area on the south side of McHenry.A two-story building was erected and ultimately dedicated on April 16, 1958.The ground floor contained a Sanctuary seating 110 people, while the upper floor had classrooms, a kitchen and an organ and choir loft.
In 1975, the congregation decided to expand the church by building a 130-seat Sanctuary immediately adjacent and joined to the existing church building.At that time, two acres were sold to help finance the construction.The new Sanctuary was dedicated in 1976.
In 1982, St. Paul Church was one of the first churches in the Chicago Diocese to implement the “Search and Call” process.In addition, when Marion Mailey was called as our rector in 1983, she became the first female rector in the Diocese of Chicago.
In 1983, a Columbarium was built immediately to the north of the current Sanctuary.Its beautiful garden setting provides a contemplative environment for remembering loved ones.
At the annual congregational meeting in 1983, church members decided to petition the Bishop for parish status.This was granted at the Annual Diocesan Convention in 1983.
As the church continued to grow, further expansion was needed.In 1996, the congregation began work on a 3,000 sq. ft. Fellowship Hall and kitchen, as well as an administration wing.Once again, the addition was contiguous to the existing facilities.
Our current facilities include the original church building, which has offices and classroom on the ground floor and a large meeting room on the upper floor (referred to as the Upper Room).We do not have a rectory.Our excellent physical plant provides a strong base from which to build our church as we continue to seek ways to reach out to those around us and draw them to the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.
OUR MINISTRIES
CHRISTIAN FORMATION / FAMILY
Mission: To encourage and enable the spiritual growth of individuals/families in relation to lifelong faith formation.
Programs and Activities: Children / family faith education program, Adult formation programs, Education for Ministry, Bible Study, Youth Commission, Young adult ministry, summer bible camp, retreats for parish, formation education for all within and outside parish community.
Responsibilities: The Christian Formation Team is responsible to the Vestry for oversight of programs and activities that provide opportunities for spiritual education and development for the people of St. Paul. The team works with the appropriate clergy, staff, and program leaders to accomplish the following:
1.Develop a calendar of programs and events that provide opportunities for spiritual enrichment; 2.Communicate and encourage participation in these programs and activities; 3.Recruit and prepare leaders for the Christian Formation Ministry.
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Mission: To build a caring parish community in which each person feels connected to and supported by the rest of the parish.
Programs and Activities: Coffee hour, Pot Lucks, Bread Breakers, Movie Nights, Entertainment, Socials, Funeral Receptions.
Goals: Establish Monthly Newsletter, Quarterly parish meetings, (April, July, October, and annual January Meeting) 3rd Sunday of the Month after the 10:00 am. service. Responsibilities: The Christian Community Team is responsible to the Vestry for oversight of programs and activities that link and engage all segments of the parish, and that recognize and minister to special needs within the parish. The team works with the appropriate clergy, staff, and program leaders to accomplish the following: 1.Prepare an annual calendar of events that, as a whole, is attractive and Interesting to all age groups within the church 2.Establish communication channels and forums that keep the parish informed of important events in the lives of individual parishioners; 3.Develop programs of pastoral care for special needs; and 4.Recruit and prepare leaders for the Christian Community Ministry.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Mission: To minister to communities within and beyond St. Paul
Programs and Activities: Holiday Food Outreach (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) St. Paul family assistance program, food pantry, Endowment Committee representative and meet on applications for grants.
Responsibilities: The Community Outreach Ministry is responsible to the Vestry for oversight of programs and activities that serve people within and outside our parish family. The team works with the appropriate clergy, staff, and program leaders to accomplish the following:
1. To make sure established programs and services are effective and operating well;
2. To encourage exploration of new programs of outreach ministry;
3. To publish information and encourage participation in outreach ministries; and
4. To recruit and prepare leaders for the Community Outreach Ministry.
WORSHIP
Mission: To enrich parish worship through lay participation
Programs and Activities: Acolyte Guild, Choir, Altar Guild, Children?s Choir, Eucharistic Ministers, Readers at the Eucharistic Services.
Responsibilities: The Worship Team is responsible to the Vestry for oversight of programs and activities that involve lay parishioners in worship services. In addition, the Worship Team acts in an advisory capacity to the Rector with respect to the conduct of worship, including liturgical and music matters. The team works with the appropriate clergy, staff, and program leaders to accomplish the following:
1.Ensure that established programs and services are effective and operating well;
2.Seek other ways that lay people can contribute meaningfully to the worship experience at St. Paul; and
3.Recruit and prepare leaders for the Worship Ministry.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Mission: To maintain and develop physical assets of St. Paul Episcopal Church, McHenry, Illinois.
Program and Activities: Lawn care, Painting, Plumbing, Lighting, general and weekly upkeep of maintenance of parish, such as carpet cleaning, bid requests for capitol long term and immediate upkeep and upgrade of facility.
Responsibilities: This committee meets to address any and all activities or needs required to maintain and sustain the building and grounds of St. Paul Church.
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
Mission: To increase the number of people who consider St. Paul their church home
Programs and Activities: New Visitors, Welcome Reception (twice a year) Home visits with bread, The Membership Growth Team is responsible to the Vestry for oversight of programs that attract people to St. Paul and that assist new people to become an integral part of the parish family. The team works with the appropriate clergy, staff, and program leaders to accomplish the following: 1.Attract people who have never attended worship services at St. Paul 2.Influence people attending for the first time to return and introduce to parish activities, 3.Solidify the relationship with people in the early stage of commitment to St. Paul, that is, within the first 3-6 months 4.Influence people who attend irregularly to become more committed; and 5.Recruit and prepare leaders for the Membership Growth Ministry.
STEWARDSHIP AND Finance
Mission: To maintain and develop financial assets of St. Paul church, McHenry, Illinois.
Program and Activities: Annual Budget, Insurance, Fund Raisers (auction), liaison to Preschool (Little Cherubs), Rector Contract review, Yearly stewardship drive, Quarterly Endowment Meetings (rep) Non-voting.
Responsibilities: The stewardship and finance committee shall work with clergy, staff, treasurer and committees to oversee the, financial, and administrative functions of the Church.
Our Vestry
In an Episcopal Parish, the lay men and women who make up the governing Officers of the church are known, collectively, as the Vestry. Together with the Rector and the People?s and Rector?s Wardens (also lay men and women) they make up the corporate entity of the Parish: ?The Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of St. Paul Episcopal Church.?
Under the Episcopal system, the Rector has charge of all spiritual matters of the Parish, while the Wardens and Vestry have responsibility for all temporal matters of the Congregation. However, in reality, both Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen share many of the responsibilities in the leadership of the Parish as they try to follow Christ?s will in our corporate life of the Parish.
Below are listed the elected lay leaders of our Parish Family.