Anglicans in Princeton first worshipped in homes and then in the school.  The Archives in Toronto and Quebec Diocese say that the first church, a white rough caste building, was built on Lot 14 on Highway No. 2.  This was about ¼ km east of the present Princeton Cemetery.  The lot was severed in April 1832 and although the records are confusing, if the building was not already built, it would have been under construction then and likely opened in 1833.  A former Archives worker believes the church could have been built much earlier and served as a community church.

       According to one former resident of Princeton, it was a frame church with a small cross on it.  The Rev'd Canon William Bettridge, the first rector of Old St. Paul's Woodstock is regarded as the founder of the Anglican church in Princeton, as well as others throughout Oxford County.  The "new" church, also named St. Paul's was built in 1867 and was part of the new Diocese of Huron formed ten years earlier.  St. Paul's is a beautiful church graced by many memorial windows.  The parish hall was built in 1971 and dedicated by the Rt. Rev'd Carmen Queen.  

       St. Paul's for many years was a learning church for newly ordained deacons and today can boast of being the first parish for two bishops: Rt. Rev'd Carmen Queen, and the Rt. Rev'd Jack Peck.

      St. Paul's has served the Princeton for over one hundred and seventy-five years.  We have been involved in the community by holding a monthly "Coffee Hour" which included speakers, slides, crafts and many more interesting events.  The Princeton Co-op Nursery School held their school in the parish hall for ten years, and the Vacation Bible School continues to the present.

       In days of increasing changes, one wonders where St. Paul's will be in the future.  This question is unanswerable at this time, but since the beginning of the church in Princeton the congregation has met every challenge and with the presence of the Holy Spirit we will continue to do so.  We walk in faith as our forefathers did, and put our trust in the Lord, for with Christ, all things are possible.

Click here to see the Princeton Vacation Bible School held at St. Paul's

The Town of Princeton