St. Paul's Catholic Church

St. Paul's Catholic Church is a Gothic Revival structure built with quarry-faced granite featuring pointed arches and ribbed vaults that emphasize its vertical lines. The building follows a compact cruciform floor plan and has load-bearing masonry walls that support the interior spaces.

The structure was designed by architect John Peebles in 1897 and received its official dedication in 1905, making it the fifth building constructed on this location. The site had served the Catholic community through multiple churches across the earlier centuries.

The church serves as a spiritual center for the Catholic community, hosting regular religious services and devotional gatherings throughout the year. You can observe how parishioners use the space for prayer and celebration during both weekday and Sunday worship.

The church is located on High Street in downtown Portsmouth and is easily accessible on foot from surrounding areas. Visitors can enter the building during service times, so it is helpful to check the schedule in advance before planning a visit.

The building was designed by John Peebles, an architect who specialized in religious structures throughout Virginia and shaped several churches across the state. This makes the church a reflection of one architect's consistent design approach to sacred spaces in the region.

Location: Portsmouth

Inception: 1898

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Part of: Downtown Portsmouth Historic District

GPS coordinates: 36.83750,-76.30360

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24