Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

1. St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church was first built by French and Irish immigrants between 1811 and 1815 and was the first Catholic congregation established in Portsmouth. Increasing membership necessitated the building of new structures in 1831 and 1851. Fire destroyed the third building in 1859; that same year the congregation began construction a fourth structure, completed in 1868. It burned in 1897. The current Gothic Revival church here, noted for its stained glass windows, was designed by John Kevan Peebles and dedicated in 1905. It was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-8-v.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.

Location. 36° 50.14′ N, 76° 18.222′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. Marker is on Washington Street north of High Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 518 High Street, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker.

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St. Paul's Catholic Church Burial Ground (here, next to this marker); Priests Who Died In Their Service Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Francis Devlin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Paul's School (about 300 feet away); Monumental Methodist Church (about 400 feet away); Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (about 400 feet away); St. John's Church (about 500 feet away); The Commodore Theatre (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Also see . . . Brief history of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Portsmouth VA. (Submitted on October 12, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States.)

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

2. St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church Marker

Photographed By Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

3. The Church

St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009

4. St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church

Photographed By Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

5. The Church

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

6. Church sign

St. Paul's
Catholic Church
Founded
1804 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,593 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 27, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 5. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 6. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.