Great Music & Community service ‼‼‼ Totally inclusive and diverse congregation‼ there is the pantry of Hope supporting those with food insecurity. Youth ministry with a wonderful Sunday school program read more

We attended Midnight Mass here this year. We are visitors from out of town and hoped it would be good. We were beyond grateful to find this wonderful church. Not only is it absolutely beautiful inside and out, but the choir reminded me of the choir from the movie home alone when Kevin goes into the church. They sang perfectly and mixed Christmas music with traditional songs. The priest talked loudly and with power like God himself. Such a powerful and meaningful message on Christmas Eve. There was a candlelit celebration post communion where they shut down the lights and each of our candles filled the church with light. What a stunning sight! I wish I could give more stars as this was the best service I could have hoped for and have ever experienced. I grew up Catholic but my husband did not so this being his first experience, I was so thankful it was a perfect one. God bless you all and Merry Christmas. read more

My partner and I have been attending St. Paul's since 2001. We came to it thinking that we would not be welcome since we are a gay couple. Boy were we wrong! And boy, are we happy about that! We like St. Paul's because everyone is not the same, everyone doesn't agree, but everyone is in communion together and looks for common ground so we can live into our faith. This is how you change hearts and minds and build understanding. The liturgy and music are traditional, but the message is expansive and welcoming. Just like the banners on the side of the chapel say come as you are, you'll be welcome. read more

In rating St Paul's Episcopal Church as a musical venue, have to say it's the tops Came to see friends in San Francisco Choral Artists perform POETRY ON MUSICAL WINGS Taking poems & prose & combining it w/ tunes from new composers as well as established, we were treated to a harmonious afternoon of musical enlightenment. It was great to hear a range of John Steinbeck to a poem about ducks eating Peking Man....poems about roses, the celestial sky & harvest season were also among the numerous snippets we enjoyed - such a wonderful way to enjoy a sunny summer day! The church was very well situated - even though we were in a pew towards the back, we had perfect views; the sound acoustics were spectacular & the sound carried extremely well 1 teeny tiny bathroom in the children's play room but we all managed very well Would very much look forward to coming back for another concert & soaring up into the heavens! read more

Ok, it seems weird to be writing a review of your church, and to be writing of such personal feelings, but here it goes.... St. Paul's has grown on me. Raised Episcopalian and coming back to the church as an adult with kids, I went searching for a place that was familiar feeling, majestic in small ways and that helped me reconnect to what I really liked about church as a kid. I loved the singing (even though I'm tone deaf), the consistency of the liturgy and the small acts of kindness that make up a parish. At first it seemed like a very old/white parish but the more I looked around, the more I saw diversity. There is an active African immigrant contingent and I am always humbled by their faith and kindness. It reminds me of the sister-church relationship my childhood parish had with another in South Africa, circa apartheid. There is also a sizable queer contingent who is very active in the church. The worldwide Anglican Communion is struggling with these issues but I'm proud St. Paul's has taken this on a social justice cause, even when it hasn't been easy for everyone. Social justice is something I feel very strongly about, especially in regards to what it means to be a Christian or a generally good person. St. Paul's gives my family plenty of opportunities to serve others. Everything from hunger work to buying mosquito nets to prevent children in African from contracting malaria to anonymously sponsoring a struggling family for Christmas - it's all good. The children's ministry is just starting up, but we've got a good core of families now. It's very hands on -- not exactly Godly Play, but not the Sunday school I remember. The kids enjoy it and my younger one in particular is pretty jazzed to be there every Sunday. The new family ministry coordinator has really helped us out when things were flailing - I'm so grateful for her. The parish is in transition - that's one of the few complaints I have. They have been searching for a new rector for over a year, and it'll be months before the process is complete. This is par for the course with Episcopalians, but that doesn't reduce the sense of being in flux. The lady who does the Wednesday (and Sunday) services is the Interim Rector and she's lovely and wonderful, but she won't be there for the long haul. My kids will be sad when they have to say good-bye to Rev. Anne, that's for sure. We'll see where the next step leads - all the priests there have been wonderful. My only other personal preference that isn't met exactly is the amount of singing that goes on. Funny, because I mentioned earlier how much I liked singing right? Well, I do - -and I love some of the medieval choral pieces. It's just that with those piece, plus all 5 verses of 3 or 4 hymns, the service can be a bit long. The music ministry is very well-established, well disciplined and very talented. They perform/host many events (keep meaning to make it to Compline) and their accolades are well-deserved. I just get antsy by the end of service sometimes. But if you like High Church music, I can't think of a better place to go. read more

I consider myself an active member of St. Paul's internet congregation, but on the rare Sunday when I'm not working or sleeping at 10 AM, I love coming to this church. With an Episcopalian father and a Buddhist-when-convenient mother, I've developed into what I like to call an "Episcopalian Almost-Atheist." As I've tried to wrap my head around this whole God thing, I've always felt welcomed at St. Paul's. The congregation, although older, is also extremely culturally diverse, with parishoners of many races and immigrants from several countries. Also, as an Oasis Congregation, it's very LGBT-friendly. The Sunday choral eucharist is always beautiful and moving, and includes not only the traditional liturgy, but also relevant sermons, traditional music, and even more challenging, out-of-the box musical works. (For the nerds out there: they did Poulenc's Mass in G on Easter! And a Howells cycle over multiple Sundays!) It is definitely a great service to attend if you want to hear a great choir that goes way beyond the typical choral service. All in all, I wish I went more, and not for Catholic Guilt reasons. You should definitely check out this parish if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a new church, if you want to meet really nice, inspiring people in the community, or even if you're just bored on Sunday mornings! read more

I not the right person to review this church, as I've never been to their Sunday services. However, I go regularly to their Wednesday noon services, and I really like one of the priests (I can't remember her name!), and have found it to be a welcoming and friendly church. They do lots for the community, what with the school & the nursing home, and they are accepting. I am an agnostic with a churchgoing habit, and I feel quite comfortable coming here. I look forward to attending the monthly evensong! Seems like they have a robust music program. read more

I have to confess from the outset that I'm a devoted parishioner at St. Paul's and attend the Sunday service whenever possible. If you're looking for an open-minded church where you're not asked to check your brain at the door, try an Episcopal church. If you want one with tradition and beauty, try St. Paul's. The congregation is friendly and welcoming. The service is beautiful and uplifting. Our new rector, Father Mauricio Wilson, is an inspiring sermonizer and an all-around great guy. Music at St. Paul's is one of the East Bay's best secrets. The Sunday 10:00 am service is a musical treat, and it only costs what you feel like putting in the collection plate. Evensong on the afternoon of the first Sunday of the month and Compline on the fourth Sunday of the month are magnificent. St. Paul's also sponsors several other concerts. Check the website FMI www.stpaulsoakland.org People of all faiths and none are welcome. I encourage you to visit us and enjoy this great Oakland resource. read more

St. Paul's would be a great choice for someone, like me, who is comfortable in a warm, inviting community which balances well a traditional liturgy and a clear, active commitment to social justice. I'm old enough to be a grandfather (and am), but I have to say that the children's program is first rate. The Sunday morning program invites children into a quest for spiritual and religious growth in a very inviting, exciting, and non-judgmental way. And there is a lot more going on, including a concert program, special services like Compline (in Gregorian chant, for all you traditionalists) and Evensong--and absolutely fabulous 'foodie' events. I guess it is hard to imagine a church that balances so many things in such a welcoming way, but St. Paul's seems to manage it somehow. Definitely worth a look. read more

I'm going to review St. Paul's as a person who lives a block and a half away: so far as I can tell, they're the kind of people that Christ would hang out with. Every Thursday they have a sign out for free meals... It's not a hidden thing, anyone could walk in. I just finally had a Sunday evening free and went to the Compline service at 8... Another thing I knew about because of their sandwich board sign. They're going to be updating their school's gym, and instead of just posting signs, they flyered neighborhood doors. Seems very open. The Compline music ranged from fantastically beautiful to merely very nice. There was a long pause in it for silent prayer. The church is as lovely inside as out. The Compline flyer specifically welcomed people of all faiths or none, which reminds me of the way there is often a rainbow flag flying on the church. The first thing I noticed about St. Paul's, though, was that they don't seem to be on a hairtrigger to call the city on parking issues out in front of their church. It's a very tight neighborhood for parking, and it takes real peace and mercy to be so chill. St Paul's gives me a lot of respect for Christians and Episcopalians. read more

How I love the Rummage Sale -- a village of thrift that surfaces once a summer like Brigadoon, then recedes into the mists. Community members donate new and used goods to resell at pennies on the dollar. I have scored ridiculous bargains here, like a Le Creuset dutch oven for $8 and a bagful of expensive curly hair products for mere dollars. And the proceeds support community service like feeding homeless seniors! Recessionistas, this year's sale is one weekend only, August 8-9. http://stpaulsoakland.org/RummageSale2009/default.aspx Otherwise, try again next year. read more

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I've been attending the weekday morning prayer service on and off (more off lately because of a new baby) since it started, and have really enjoyed it. I was looking to start my day in a more meditative and prayerful way, and got this and much more. The limited number of attendees give it a very intimate feeling that's lacking on Sunday, and allow many chances for active participation in the service. As another plus, Vik, who runs it, has a diverse set of musical interests, and the musical selections provide a fun change of pace from the more classic selections that tend to dominate on Sundays. I often found myself walking out the door afterwards with a bounce in my step and a sense of peace in my heart, and having learned something new or pushed myself musically in some way. It's well worth the time. read more

Just attended the Mothers Day service at At. Paul's and was moved to tears at the beautiful music, friendly diversity and joyful celebration of God's love. Very traditional, so of you appreciate the value of ritual in worship, mixed with a message for today, go to St. Paul's and fill your soul. read more

The St. Paul's Rummage Sale is a neighborhood tradition! I was able to get great kitchen supplies, fabulous quilted silk sham covers, and some of my favorite mystery stories here last time. There are really good toys and children's things, too. No time like the present to recycle, reuse, and support a good cause. read more

St. Paul's is a great and welcoming church. The 10 AM service on Sunday has beautiful classic, church music. Sermons are good (and usually uplifting) without being dogmatic or fire-and-brimstone. Lots of good people. The Episcopal Church, in general, is friendly and open -- it is a church for a thinking person. Everyone is welcome: families with kids, people of all colors and orientations, families of all orientations, the young, the old, and the in between. If you don't want to attend a normal church service but want to feed your spirit a bit, check out the monthly Compline service (4th Sunday of the month at 8 PM), which is Gregorian chant and sung in Latin and English. It is a beautiful, candlelit service. read more

I love the SP Rummage sale! I went two years ago and scored a vintage chair in good condition for $30 - and they delivered it for free! It is kind of like a mini Oakland Museum White Elephant sale, but still much bigger than the usual church yard sale. read more

Amazing finds! Seriously, it's incredible the amount of stuff they have and the really great quality... and all really well-priced. Can't go wrong. I'm planning to head over there early this year. read more