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Parishioners of St. Paul’s Church in Bullville would make their namesake proud with their community outreach. Much like the first-century evangelist for whom the church is named, nearly half of parishioners are involved in ministries that spread the faith.
“It’s pretty incredible,” said Father Sean Harlow, O. Carm., who serves as parochial vicar of St. Paul’s, which is a mission church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Middletown.
Of the 700 registered families, 341 are involved in church ministries, said Father Harlow, who has served at St. Paul’s since 2012. Deacon John Frohbose also serves the Orange County church.
“Our people love the liturgy and love worship and love serving others. I have no problem getting volunteers,” Father Harlow said.
The church community celebrated its milestone 150th anniversary with a Mass offered by Cardinal Dolan June 6. A parish picnic, featuring old-fashioned games and fun along with delicious food, was held the next afternoon in the Town of Crawford Park.
The anniversary has been marked with displays of historical artifacts and information in the church hall as well as an art auction. In the fall, a sports memorabilia auction and a dinner dance featuring square dancing are planned.
The church building was erected in 1865. St. Paul’s has a long and storied history of affiliation with different parishes depending on the priest charged with its oversight as a mission church. First it was a mission of St. Joseph’s in Middletown, then of St. Mary’s in Montgomery, and then of Most Precious Blood in Walden, before moving again to St. Mary’s then to St. Joseph’s in Wurtsboro in 1902. In 1912, it was placed under the care of the Carmelite Fathers, who had recently arrived in Middletown.
An increased Catholic population necessitated the addition of a new foyer, baptistery and choir area in 1952. A decade later, according to church history, a boy entered the church looking to retrieve his Sunday school books. A candle he had lighted to illuminate his search would accidentally send the church up in flames.
By 1964, enough money had been raised to build a new church, which is still standing.
A distinctive feature of the new structure is its unique sloped roof. “That swoop is familiar,” Father Harlow said. “Everyone knows it. It also is our logo for our 150th anniversary.” He said the curve of the roof up towards the sky is representative of reaching up toward heaven.
While the eyes of parishioners may be looking ever upward, their hands are working with the people in front of them. There are 14 ministries available for parishioners to join. Two popular ones are the Scripture study group and the book club.
One of the most important ways the church reaches out is with food.
“Food is pretty important in our parish,” Father Harlow said. “It shows the relationship between service and worship.” He commended the stalwart “kitchen crew” that serves themed meals to parishioners about half a dozen times each year.
“It brings people together,” said Father Harlow of the meals, remarking on “the relationship between our liturgy and food,” wherein ordinary bread and wine is transformed into the Body and Blood of Our Lord at Mass.
Through the preparation and creativity that goes into food preparation at St. Paul’s, parishioners express their love and concern for each other and the greater community.
Another service group comes every first Wednesday of the month to cook lunch for area senior citizens at no charge. “Sometimes they get 150 people,” Father Harlow said. “There are about 40 volunteers that rotate. The group also offers their services to provide a meal, a luncheon, if there is a death in the family.”
St. Paul’s has 300 children in the religious education program under the direction of coordinator Morag Cuff.
Father Harlow was full of praise for his parishioners. “The parishioners are very active. They participate in the liturgy. They love to sing.
“They are wonderful people to work with. I believe we are going to continue to grow.”
