Bishop Visits St. Paul's to Celebrate 175 Years in Sacramento

On Sunday, August 18, twenty-eight members and friends of St. Paul's Episcopal Church assembled in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn on 3rd and J Streets, Sacramento, the approximate location of the first Episcopal service held in the city in 1849. A Land Acknowledgement and a prayer were offered before the group set off on a procession to the current St. Paul's Church about a mile away.

The procession included the Rt. Rev. Megan Traquair, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California; the Rev. Rik Rasmussen, rector of St. Paul's; members of St. Paul's choir; and several other clergy members and friends with ties to the parish. A banner and colorful streamers led the procession as hymns were sung, with accompaniment by a bagpiper.

The group first made a stop at the site of the parish's first two buildings, at 8th & I Streets, before joining additional church members and friends on the steps of its current location at 15th & J Streets. Land Acknowledgements and prayers were also presented at both sites.

Bishop Megan and Rev. Rik then led the group inside to a festive worship service of Confirmation, Reception and Holy Eucharist. Bishop Megan confirmed two members and received one new member into the Episcopal Church.

On August 16, 1849, the Rev. Flavel Mines traveled from Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco to Sacramento to hold a service of Morning Prayer in a blacksmith shop, thereby establishing the second Episcopal Church west of St. Louis. Rev. Rik noted at the beginning of the procession that day, "St. Paul's is 175 years and two days old!"

St. Paul's invites the public to attend its Wide Open Doors celebration on September 14 – a day-long open house featuring building and window tours, numerous musical performances, food, and a history presentation. Learn more about Wide Open Doors here.