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Saint Paul's Church

605 Reynolds Street
706-724-2485

History:
Saint Paul's Church was established in 1750 by the Church of England at the site of Fort Augusta. The first three church buildings on the property were destroyed. The fourth building, erected in the 19th century, was burned in the Great Augusta Fire of 1916. The present Georgian Colonial building, designed by Henry Wendell, was completed in 1919. Among the furnishings saved from the fire is the original baptismal font, the only relic from the first church. The Neo-Classical pillar and bowl, brought from England in 1751, is in the narthex (foyer), near the southwest entrance.

The flags at the chancel steps are those of the United States and the Episcopal Church. Across the balcony are some of the flags which have flown over Georgia in its history, including period flags of Spain and France, the British Flag of 1737 - 1783, the Liberty flag, American 13 star flag, Bonnie Blue flag, Stainless Banner of the Confederacy, 1865 Stars and Stripes, the present Georgia state flag, and the American flag. Outside the church on many days also fly the Compassrose Flag of the Anglican Communion and the flag of the City of Augusta.

Located in the church yard is a celtic cross marking the location of the fort. At its base is a cannon believed to have been brought in the 1730's by General Oglethorpe from England to be used at Fort Augusta. This, together with the font, are the oldest colonial artifacts in the city. A number of graves are marked in the cemetery, including that of Col. William Few, a signer of the United States Constitution, whose portrait hangs in the narthex. A marker on the exterior of the building provides information about the 1763 conference of the Colonial Governors of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, with five Indian nations. Also of interest is the historical marker located at the corner of Sixth and Reynolds Street.


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