A historic church space for a thriving community

The Episcopal Church of St Paul & St James (lovingly known as St. PJ’s) is a vibrant, diverse community focused on celebrating God’s love for us through Jesus. We come together in worship and prayer, and are sent out to participate in God’s mission of reconciliation and restoration. We have committed to adapting our historic Gothic Revival church into a Community Resources Center, providing public spaces, tools, and knowledge as shared resources to sustainably support a thriving community - socially, culturally, spiritually, and economically.

A historical cornerstone

Since the building was constructed in 1829, St. PJ’s has served as a community cornerstone in the historic Wooster Square neighborhood of New Haven.

A vibrant community

As a church, St. PJ’s has always been at the forefront of progress, electing the first women to church leadership in the Diocese of Connecticut, and being an early church to integrate racially. Today, we worship with spirited jazz music, and serve our neighbors with the help of our mission partners, Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe.

A hub for gathering

Some of New Haven’s most beloved organizations, including the Neighborhood Music School, Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS), Sanctuary Kitchen, and New Haven Ballet, got their start within the walls of this church. To carry forward this legacy, we have recently entered into partnership with the Whitneyville Cultural Commons to launch the Square at St. PJ’s Church, a space for community gathering, coworking, and neighborhood events.

We are embarking on a $1.5 million Capital Campaign to continue furthering our mission to serve as a beautiful, historic, and welcoming community center. Our goals are to: preserve the building’s integrity, create a more inviting space, and improve accessibility for all. Together, let us revitalize this cornerstone of the Wooster Square neighborhood!

Projects

Preserve the Exterior and Create a Safer, More Efficient Building

• Repair stained glass windows (replace rotted frames, install protective glass) ($375,000), parish hall windows ($65,000), walls, gutters, and downspouts ($50,000)
• Refresh the entrance to the church, including repairing the sandstone entrance steps and the church doors ($75,000)
• Insulate nave ceiling/roof ($20,000)

Create More Flexible and Inviting Interior Space

• Transform the sanctuary: remove pews, purchase new chairs ($50,000), install new floor ($37,500), install new lighting ($10,000)
• Install new climate control systems in the church and the parish hall ($100,000 + $50,000)
• Install new floor in undercroft ($50,000)

Improve Accessibility

• Construct new, non-gendered, ADA-compliant bathrooms in hallway and in sanctuary ($150,000)
• Renovate bathrooms in undercroft ($50,000)
• Update Olive St entrance to undercroft (with handicapped accessible ramp and new stairs) ($50,000)

Develop Plan for Current and Ongoing Maintenance, Restoration, and Renovation

• Engage services of architect and other pre-construction professionals ($25,000 + $15,000)
• Update building condition report, conduct roof survey ($5,000 + $7,500)