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How it All Began
Prepared by Jarvis Nolan, Historiographer
As early as 1847, Episcopal clergy were located in California. The first Episcopal service in San Diego was held on July 10, 1853, in the court house in Old San Diego. The service was conducted by an army chaplain, The Rev. John Reynolds. Because of his army duties at the Mission, services were always held on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Noises from the saloon next door could be heard through the wall! The court house has recently been rebuilt as it was in the 1850’s in Old Town Park.
The Rt. Rev. William Ingraham Kip, the first bishop of California, read his first service in California in the same court room on Sunday, January 22, 1854. He was on his way to San Francisco but was shipped wrecked off the coast of San Diego which necessitated a five day stay in San Diego. He and his family were the guests of Juan Bandini, whose house still stands in Old Town.
Reynolds served until August 31, 1854 at which time he was discharged from the army and returned east. Fifteen years would pass before services would be held again in San Diego.
In 1868 services started again in the government barracks in New San Diego located on the block bounded by Kettner, Market and G Streets. Services were led by an exuberant priest named The Rev. Sidney Wilbur who had to clear out cobwebs, bats and owls before services could be held. In 1869 the first parish was established and was named Holy Trinity. Bishop Kip returned for his first official visit on Sunday, February 20, 1870. Services were held this day in Horton Hall to allow space for the expected large congregation. He baptized and confirmed four people.
A small chapel was constructed on the northeast corner of Sixth and C Streets on land given by Alonzo Horton. It was first used for services on May 30, 1870. In 1871 the church was moved to the southeast corner of 4th and C Streets.
The Rev. Henry Bond Restarick arrived in 1882 as third rector of Holy Trinity. During his first five years communicants grew from 21 to 137. In 1885 for reasons unknown, the name was changed from Holy Trinity to the Church of St. Paul’s. 
In 1887 a new church was built on the corner of 8th and C Streets. This church introduced a surpliced choir, pew rental and housed the first pipe organ and heating system in San Diego. The Lay Readers Guild of St. Paul’s was formed to read services throughout the county. Many of these gatherings were the start of twelve missions parishes, eight of which survive today. St. Paul’s remained here for 61 years until 1948 when it relocated to its present site on Nutmeg and 6th. That same year, Old St. Paul’s building moved to College Ave and became St. Dunstan’s. When St. Dunstan’s built its current building in 1969, the old building moved yet again to Lemon Grove to become St. Philip’s but the stained glass windows went to the new St. Dunstan’s where they remain today.