At this place: From Steeples to Spires–the enduring story of St. Paul Catholic Church

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — On the corner of Crawford and Walnut Streets stands St. Paul Catholic Church, a church unlike any other in the city. A soaring octagonal bell tower, sleek mid-century lines, and glowing stained glass give the church a strikingly modern silhouette.

St. Paul Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic parish in Vicksburg, was founded in 1841 by Father Michael D. O’Reilly. The original place of worship, a modest frame chapel, stood on Walnut Street and offered early Catholic settlers a spiritual home in what was then a growing river town.

As the congregation expanded, so did the church’s ambitions. In 1847, parishioners purchased land at the present-day site, and by October 1849, they had erected a Gothic Revival church that would become a beloved city landmark for more than a century. This grand structure, with its tall spire, buttressed stone walls, vibrant stained-glass windows, and a bell tower with ten chimes, was the pride of Vicksburg’s Catholic community.

The church even weathered the Civil War, suffering damage during the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg. Yet parishioners rallied to repair and beautify it.

Just behind the church stood another architectural gem: the rectory, built in 1866 and designed in matching Gothic style by Father Jean Baptiste Mouton. Constructed partially with prefabricated parts shipped from Cincinnati, the rectory became home to several notable clergy, including Father Francis Xavier LeRay, who later became Archbishop of New Orleans.

Then came the tragedy of December 5, 1953. A powerful tornado tore through downtown Vicksburg, severely damaging the church. The storm left the roof partially collapsed, shattered the stained-glass windows, and destroyed sections of the interior. The rectory also suffered heavy damage. After more than a century of faithful service, the beloved Gothic church was deemed unsalvageable, and the decision was made to tear it down.

In the wake of the disaster, the parish turned to nationally known church architect Edward A. Schulte, who designed a radically new structure for the congregation. Completed in 1957, the new church is a stunning example of Mid-Century Modernism, with smooth tan brick, sweeping vertical windows, and a distinctive octagonal bell tower crowned by an openwork bell house and sphere. Inside, stained-glass windows from the renowned Emil Frei Studio bathe the sanctuary in rich color.

The old rectory held on a little longer, but in 1972 it too was torn down and replaced by a more functional modern building, marking the end of St. Paul’s 19th-century architectural legacy. In 2020, the modern church was officially recognized as a contributing property in the Uptown Vicksburg Historic District.

The Old Court House Museum has an outstanding collection of historic photos from Vicksburg and Warren County. If you are ever interested in getting an old photo printed for your home or business, contact the staff at the Old Court House Museum and they can make it happen.

Starting in 2022, Chris Bolm began to take images from the Old Court House Museum‘s photo collections and pinpoint their current locations and replicate the shot. Bolm named the series “Then and Now.”