St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, New Brunswick was formally established in 1867. However, our roots reach back several decades earlier to the nearby village of Upper Woodstock, where local Presbyterians built a church known as St. Andrew’s in 1838. This early congregation appears to have been connected to the Presbyterian Church in Richmond.
In 1867, the decision was made to build a new church in the Town of Woodstock. Construction took several years, and the new church—named St. Paul’s—was officially dedicated in 1872.
At the time of Church Union in 1925, the congregation voted to remain within The Presbyterian Church in Canada, continuing in the Reformed tradition. During the pastorate of Rev. Robert Ross (1966–1977), a new manse was built, and a Christian Education wing was added to meet the growing needs of the church community.
Today, St. Paul’s welcomes people from Woodstock and surrounding communities—and even from around the world through live-streamed worship. We are active in the Woodstock and Area Ecumenical Ministry and maintain close ties with neighbouring congregations in our Presbytery. Since 2018, we have shared in a regional ministry with St. James in Hanwell and regularly participate in the anniversary services of St. David’s in Kirkland. For several years, we also provided worship leadership and music at the historic Riverside Presbyterian Church in King’s Landing during the summer months.
For over 150 years, St. Paul’s has stood as a faithful witness to the Gospel—a light on the hill in downtown Woodstock, rooted in tradition and looking forward in hope. As a neighbourhood church, we seek to be a neighbourly gathering place of worship, fellowship, and care for one another.
