About
St Paul’s is a Roman Catholic Parish that is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and is part of the Diocese of Allentown. The Allentown Diocese is comprised of a five-county area that includes Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuykill counties which contains 151 parishes and approximately 273,599 Catholic parishoners.
Mission
We, the people of St. Paul Parish are committed to Jesus Christ as the center of our lives. We adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. We recognize our responsibility to proclaim the Good News to a world wounded and in need of God’s healing love, forgiveness and guidance.
The Sacraments and Sacred Scripture nourish us. We proclaim our faith by lives of loving service. We cheerfully invite others to share in the love of God that we have found in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Overview
St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church was founded as a mission of Sacred Heart Church, Allentown, on October 12, 1927. The old Aineyville Public School at 1120 South Front Street was purchased and renovated, including digging out a cellar for a new heating system, all of which was done by parishioners.
For the next 20 years the former school served as the center for all parish activities. The first floor was the parish hall; one wing of the second floor was the rectory, and the other wing, the Church. The first Mass was held in the chapel on November 6, 1927.
St. Paul’s was established as a canonical parish by Cardinal Dougherty (of the Philadelphia Diocese) on June 13, 1928.
The pastors in order of service are as follows:
- 1928 – 1932
- Reverend Frederick A. Fasig
- 1932 – 1973
- Reverend Bruno G. Zietsch
- 1973 – 1993
- Reverend Henry E. Strassner
- 1993 – 2002
- Reverend Monsignor Robert M. Forst
- 2002 – present
- Reverend Monsignor Joseph R. Sobiesiak
On September 24, 1978, Bishop Thomas McShea celebrated the Golden Jubilee Mass for St. Paul’s. On June 29, 2003, Bishop Edward Cullen celebrated Mass for the 75th Anniversary.
