About Our Worship
St Paul's is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United State of America. Both are connected to the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The services
are "Catholic" in tradition, liturgy, and sacraments. The church is "Protestant" in the individual's relationship
with God which is based on conscience and personal understanding. The Episcopal Church has no required confession of
faith. It is an inclusive church of diverse people and opinion. The central act of unity and worship is Holy Communion.
The word Episcopal comes from the Greek word Episcopus. It means lead by bishops. St Paul's was consecrated as a parish
in 1857 by the Rev. Jackson Kemper, first missionary bishop of the American Episcopal church.
Home of the Grinning Gargoyle
"Turning fear into faith" is the motto for St. Paul's outreach efforts and gargoyles are the messengers. Gargoyles,
artistic and architectural features on European churches, were actually downspouts which protected the buildings from
water damage. They were often designed as frightful images to ward off evil from the community so people could worship
without fear. The gargoyles on St. Pual's tower help the KCK community by lending their image to reproduction gargoyles
which the church sells to raise additional funds for its community programs such as the Dove Art Center and the Food
Pantry
Art Center carries on tradition of Mr. Carl Nau
The Dove Art Center was founded as a tribute to the Rev. Carl Nau, Rector of St. Paul's from 1921 until 1947. Mr. Nau
was an English artist who immigrated to America and was trained as a priest in Kansas. Mr. Nau was principally responsible
for the Neo-Gothic design of St. Paul's building including the gargoyles and stained glass windows. The Dove Art Center
Academy and Summer Camp honors the legacy of Mr. Nau. A Brush With Religion, Mr. Nau's autobiography is published
by St. Paul's.
Read more about our heritage
Read more about the Dove Art Center