St. Paul's Episcopal is an absolutely wonderful church and a wonderful expression of Christ! There are young and old, race and race, gender and gender. It is a place where people can be themselves. St. Paul's is an absolute reminder of Christ, His mercy, and expression of wholesome doctrine. An extremely polite and nice community that is growing every Sunday with the extremely active Episcopal ministry that has been seen with the Episcopal Church for an extremely long amount of time. read more

St. Paul's is a place to gather and worship regardless of how one identities. Men, women, black, white, gay, straight, ALL ARE WELCOME! I love this place because my wife and I got married here and my daughter was baptized here. No one makes anyone feel bad for being different. Come check it out for yourself! read more

I'm sorry I have finally returned to change my review from 5 stars to a solid 1 star. I still mourn the loss of the spirit and heart of my church that for 4 years was Grace Episcopal,while waiting for the Episcopal properties to be given back to the Episcopal Church through the court system. When courts returned the 3 Episcopal churches back to us and the diocese decided to now have only one local Episcopal church and sell the other 2 we moved back into the 17th Street church and became St Paul's Episcopal once again. Grace and St Paul's welcomed my family and me with open arms and became our bonus or chosen addition of family. Most importantly everyone from the priest to the newest church member not only accepted my adult son Poppy who has Down's Syndrome and his best friend Daniel who lived with us much of the time and also has Down's Syndrome, they treated them like ROCKSTARS! They let them live up to their abilities and flourish in the house of God and his people. They ushered, they welcomed, Poppy was an torchbearer and a Crucifee. He worried in the kitchen and was taught to be second in command to the main kitchen "boss" church member. He learned to set up the service line, clean off dishes l, load the professional dishwasher and START it. He swept inside and out. Both Poppy and Daniel never missed a service, a potluck, a game night, a book study, a soup supper or a training. although they both were a little upset when they could not join Daughters Of the King prayer group. In 2014 through 2018 I happily worked as the Church Administrator/Office Manager weekdays from 8am til 5pm. About halfway in the Bishops Committee voted to give me a salary. I would have happily continued to volunteer but the church wanted me to k ow I was a valuable asset to them. In 2019 it all changed. A good new priest was installed who I had known for years and thought was a great fit for us. I soon saw that those he surrounded himself with were just a few and although long time members had not been involved in church life except if one of them served at the Altar on a Sunday. They were good people but had a very different idea of what our church should be and not be. Slowly their power over the priest began to shine and the heart, love and the closeness of members was not appreciated but was being dismantled and vilified. I wanted to stay as others left and co rubies leaving. In the first year the number of members that left rose into the 80's. I stayed. Very slowly my sons were taken out of the service things they loved and 7 months in when I heard 3 different conversations 2 of the new *bosses" one once and the other twice talking to my son in very hurtful ways making it obvious Poppy no longer fit in or was wanted unless all they would do would be to come to Sunday service and sit in the pew next to me, go to coffee hour, sit with me and no longer work in the kitchen or parish hall. The priest was not one of the two. He just didn't step up to stick up for him or Daniel or other church members that were one by one being dropped for committees and volunteer jobs and relegated to a pew potato. In 7 months the priest and church were being run by two of the longtime no help members of 11 years. We left in August. I could take a lot of heartache that was my own but I could not stay in a church where the policy makers no longer acknowledged my son and Daniel as true members. I have not been back but worship in other cities Episcopal churches when I travel or zoom services from the Buena Park Episcopal Church which has the feel of family like every other Episcopal Church I have attend over 30 years except for the new unimproved St Paul's. My one star is a solid and meaningful star that I give because St Paul's has remained the most welcoming church to the LBGTQ.....and the undocumented communities than any other church in Bakersfield. I am so happy that has not changed and that they can go with same sex partners or spouses and sit freely with their arms around each other and kiss if they want right out in the open and are free to show their children we are all God's children in the sight of Jesus. Kiddos to St Paul's for this! read more

My first visit to St. Paul's was for a wedding. I was very apprehensive about attending because I've had so many bad experiences trying to find a place to engage my spirituality. I'd never had a home church until now. My family was greeted just like everyone else. We were made to feel welcome and received lots of friendly hugs and smiles. I was afraid the greeting was all for the wedding. It wasn't. I started attending on a regular basis. I know have my home church. Not only am I a member, but I am on the bishops committee. I am also the organizer for a booth at pride every October. My fiancé and I will be getting married here too. As a lesbian, I never thought I'd feel that welcoming from a church, but I have. Thank you father Luis for getting us through this pandemic! We can't be in the building, but our doors have never closed! read more

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This is a wonderful, inclusive and beautiful church. There's no judging or denying of communion as long as you are baptized in a Christian faith. Plus, there are several rooms including a large parish hall that can also be rented! read more

I have visited a number of churches around town, including the more popular ones; but never felt quite welcomed and at home, as I do at St. Paul's. My younger son and I now attend on a regular basis. He is so excited about church and Sunday School, he regularly asks, "how many more days 'til Sunday?" I am happy to be here and live the inclusiveness of the church. Everyone should be welcomed with open arms; and guess What? They are!! read more

St Paul's Episcopal Church - St. Paul's on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I love this Parish. Taken 4/2/17. Irene Reyna. - Churches Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Tried to be involved with this Church. All I can say is I have never been to a church like THIS. I volunteered, wasn't appreciated, the priest (Luis) made me feel very intimidated. Priest called me to his Private Office and presented me a Type Horrible Type written unsigned Letter presented to him. It was an Unsigned photo copied letter saying horrible things about me. Ever since that incidence; I was no longer welcomed to volunteer and I feel people gossiped about me. Since that horrible event,.. I have found a loving church to attend and God is Great I don't recommend this place... Thanks read more

St Paul's is a great place to worship. The people here are so welcoming and friendly and will make you feel right at home. When I was searching for a church, I was looking for a place that was inviting, offered traditional worship, and connected me with God. However, I also wanted to be somewhere that was open to new ideas and was accepting of people the way that they are. St. Paul's is all of these things. There are two different services, one at 8 AM that is a very traditional (Rite 1) service without music, and at 10 AM (Rite 2) is the family service with Hymns and a Choir. Both services are unique but equally as lovely. People familiar with the Roman Catholic Church will feel at home, but others that are more Protestant will also. Even during this COVID-19 shutdown, there have been many opportunities for virtual gatherings, bible studies, and a way to be spiritually fed. I am so happy that I found St. Paul's! read more

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St. Paul's is a very welcoming congregation with a variety of ways to become involved in the life of the church. Because of COVID, the regular services are not happening, but I find there are lots of ways to take part, like Evening Prayer on Sunday, a book group group and Bible study, and a fellowship group on Zoom. They are really working on ways to involve the congregation even in this socially distant time. Services ( both online now and when we're able to meet in person) are traditional but comfortable. Episcopalians from other churches will feel at home, and new folks won't have a hard time following along. If you are looking for a welcoming, inclusive congregation, check our the website and give St. Paul's a try. read more

I have been a member of St Paul's for several years now. As a matter of fact it was the first church I attended on my first visit to Bakersfield. The members were all so welcoming. I felt very comfortable and even stayed after service for their coffee hour where I met some of the most charming people. I feel today as I did that very first visit. Though Covid has made the "in church" services not possible because of social distancing, there are weekly Sunday services via Facebook and YouTube. They also hold coffee hour via zoom so we can still see all those smiling faces that we miss so much. I love receiving their weekly newsletter so I can stay in the loop with all the events happening. St. Paul's is a very welcoming church no matter if you are a regular or visiting for the first time. read more

Friendly congregation from all walks of life. Childcare and Sunday School provided during the school year. Wonderful place to worship. Bi-weekly youth group, AA & OA meetings throughout the week. read more

We felt very welcomed and I loved that my son who is blind felt included. This was his first time at Sunday school and was very happy to be here. We will definitely be coming back. Thank you for making this such an awesome experience for all of us. read more

It had been a while since I have been to church and may I just say this establishment is just wonderful! Mr. Cooper and Elaine went out of their way to help me and to make me feel comfortable. This place has a good vibe and cohesiveness. Thank you for having me read more