Creating a Community
The Rich History of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ventura, CA
It’s difficult to fully capture the vibrant history of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and its close-knit congregation, but here’s a glimpse into our journey that began over 130 years ago.
In 1887, a small group of dedicated Episcopalians gathered in the Ventura home of Judge Lemuel Clark McKeeby. Inspired by their faith, they petitioned Bishop William Ingraham Kip of the Diocese of California to establish a mission congregation. Their efforts were rewarded when, on December 11th, 1887, consent was granted. On May 9, 1889, the church had officially been incorporated. George Power, a civil engineer, farmer, and respected civic leader, was appointed as the first warden. His family’s ranch occupied what is now the area around Main Street, Loma Vista, and Telegraph roads.
St. Paul’s congregation built a beautiful clapboard church in the English Gothic style at the corner of Oak and Santa Clara streets in downtown Ventura. Old St. Paul's was built by Jesse and Selwyn Shaw (the Shaws built the row of Victorians that still stand on Poli, also the Victorian Rose Wedding Chapel.) One of our notable benefactors, Eugene Foster, played a key role in this era. The Foster family raised Robert Burton Gooden, who graduated from Ventura High School, pursued seminary studies, and returned to lead St. Paul’s as its vicar. Later, he was elected Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles. Today, St. Paul’s honors Bishop Gooden’s legacy through our Daughters of the King chapter and the large house on the church property that bears his name.
A Time of Growth
By 1920, Ventura’s population had reached 4,156, and our congregation was flourishing. To accommodate the growing community, a new parish house was built next to the church. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, St. Paul’s grew to include 102 families, and we proudly supported the establishment of St. Andrew’s Mission in Ojai, which was officially recognized in 1950.
The post-World War II years brought rapid growth to Ventura, particularly in the east end, and St. Paul’s congregation grew along with it. In 1950, Rev. William Gilbert was called as rector, and plans were made to relocate to a larger property on Loma Vista Road, across from the new county hospital. At the time, the property overlooked a lemon orchard stretching down to Main Street. Groundbreaking for the new site began soon after.
A New Space for Everyone
On Maundy Thursday, 1954, the first building on the Loma Vista site—a facility with 15 Sunday school rooms—was dedicated. Just three days later, on Easter morning, we broke ground for a second building, now known as Kahler Hall, which opened in 1955. Kahler Hall became a vibrant space for worship, fellowship, and special events like weddings. With the congregation continuing to grow, ground was broken again on June 28th, 1958, for the construction of our Sanctuary. This beautiful space was dedicated on April 5th, 1959, just after Easter. By the start of the 1960s, St. Paul’s had grown to 1,105 baptized members, with 394 children enrolled in Sunday School.
In the early 1970s, St. Paul’s expanded its mission by opening a private day school. For 37 years, the school served thousands of students and families, providing a solid educational foundation before closing its doors in 2009.
A Legacy of Faith and Community
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has stood as a beacon of faith, fellowship, and service in Ventura for well over a century. From its humble beginnings in a small gathering at Judge McKeeby’s home to the vibrant congregation we see today, the church has continually evolved to meet the needs of its community. Our rich history is filled with growth, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to living out the teachings of Christ.
As we look toward the future, we carry forward the legacy of those who came before us—grounded in faith and dedicated to serving Ventura and beyond. St. Paul’s is more than a church; it is a community, a family, and a place where all are welcome to worship, connect, and grow together.
Thank you to Father Jerome Kahler, who served as the rector of St. Paul’s for many years, for documenting this history. Information was also excerpted from “The History of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church”, authored by Virginia Merrill, which appeared in the Ventura County Historical Society Quarterly, Volume 34 (1989-1990), Issues 2 and 3.
