St Paul's Episcopal Church, 401 Duval Street, City of Key West, Monroe County, Florida, USA / Built: 1919 / Architect: William Kerr / Floors: 1.5 / Construction Material: Concrete / Architectural Style: Gothic Revival

You don't have to be religious to appreciate the sheer beauty of the historic church located at the corner of Duval and Eaton streets in Old Town Key West.

Founded in 1832, this is the oldest continuously operating church in the city and has played an important role in its development. During the Civil War, the building served as a hospital for Union troops and later was also used as a courthouse and a school. Famously destroyed several times by weather calamities, the temple had the first chime of bells in Florida inaugurated in 1891. The current, fourth building on the site was designed by architect William Kerr and completed in 1919.

It features the Gothic Revival style, quite popular at the turn of the 20th century, complete with its typical elements such as pointed arches, buttresses, and a steeply pitched roof. The main entrance is located on the south side of the church and is marked by a Gothic arched doorway with intricately carved stone surrounds. The church's bell tower, which rises above the entrance, is one of the most recognizable features of the building.

Inside, the church has a spacious nave with a high, vaulted ceiling and rows of wooden pews. The stained-glass windows, which were created by Tiffany Studios and others, are particularly noteworthy, depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and other biblical figures. The church also features a large pipe organ, which was installed in the 1920s and has been restored several times over the years.

Several notable personalities have been associated with this church, including author Ernest Hemingway, who attended services here with his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer. Today, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church continues to be an active congregation and hosts a number of outreach programs, including a food pantry and a homeless ministry. It is also a popular venue for concerts and other cultural events.

There is no charge to get in and view the stunning stained-glass windows and beautiful wooden beams on the ceiling or catch one of the marvelous impromptu concerts held during the season on alternate Sunday afternoons. A pamphlet inside relays more about the windows as well as the church's long history.

Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/st-pauls-episcopal-church-2...
stpaulskeywest.org/about-us/our-history/
www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=84328

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Taken in: United States / Florida / Key West (show map)

Taken on: September 18, 2024

Tags:

St Paul's Episcopal Church

401 Duval Street

Monroe County

Florida

USA

Built: 1919

Architect: William Kerr

Construction Material: Concrete / Architectural Style: Gothic Revival style

religion

place of worship

south Florida

Florida straits

Florida Keys

historic landmark

old church

Christian religion

architecture

urban

real estate

downtown

island life

Conch Republic

corner of Duval and Eaton streets

Old Town Key West

oldest continuously operating church in the city

building served as a hospital for Union troops

used as a courthouse and a school

had the first chime of bells in Florida inaugurated in 1891

first chime of bells in Florida inaugurated in 1891

The current

fourth building on the site

pointed arches

buttresses and a steeply pitched roof

Gothic arched doorway with intricately carved stone surrounds

church's bell tower which rises above the entrance is one of the most recognizable features of the building

spacious nave with a high

vaulted ceiling

rows of wooden pews

stained-glass windows

Tiffany Studios

scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and other biblical figures

large pipe organ

Ernest Hemingway

Pauline Pfeiffer

Floors: 1.5 « less

Sets appears in: • Urban Florida VI • City of Key West, Monroe County, Florida, USA more » • Florida's Religious Buildings/Structures « less

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