Saint Paul's Cathedral - San Diego, California
Worship at Saint Paul’s Cathedral reveals the beauty and tradition of Episcopal liturgy in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. We thoughtfully engage the critical issues facing our contemporary world and we hold one another and these concerns in our prayers.
Music is a large part of worship at St. Paul's Cathedral and is harmoniously woven into the liturgy to enhance the worship experience.
The Mixed Choir is heard at the 10.30 am Sunday Eucharist. The Cathedral Choristers of boys and men, and the St Cecilia Choir of girls and men are heard on alternate Sundays at 5.00pm Evensong. On certain occasions, instrumental ensembles, such as brass or strings, supplement the Aeolian-Skinner organ.
Choirs
Cathedral Choristers
The choir of boys and men was founded in 1963 by then Organist & Choirmaster Larry King. Since then, the traditional Anglican sound of boy's and men's voices has flourished, and remains the only boy's choir in San Diego, and one of only a handful in the United States.
St. Cecilia Choir
A choir for girls was founded in the nineteen-sixties. In 1977 the Girls Choir was reconstituted as the St. Cecilia Choir of girls and men, making it an equivalent counterpart to the Choristers. The treble section of girls aged seven through eighteen (or their Senior year in High School) creates a different sound from the boys trebles and, with a higher average, is able to perform some of the more challenging
compositions.
Cathedral Choir
The Cathedral Choir of mixed adult voices was started at the original St Paul's Church in the late nineteenth century, and was the first vested choir in San Diego County. Currently, it consists of a mix of volunteers and paid professional singers.
Cathedral Schola
This group of sixteen professional musicians is dedicated to the preservation of the great Anglican choral tradition. Founded in 2001, the Schola sings Evensong when the Cathedral Choristers and the St. Cecilia Choir are out of session.
Visit the Music section of our web site for our choirs' current schedules, to listen to a sample of their music and information or purchasing their CDs.
The Organ at St. Paul's
The Cathedral's organ has the longest history of any in San Diego. It began with a 2-manual instrument built by Hook & Hastings, which was first heard on Easter Day, 1887. Four complete, and several partial stops are still in use from this instrument. In 1915, the organ was enlarged by the Johnston Organ Company.
When St Paul's Parish moved from the original structure (at 8th Ave and C Street) to the present location at 5th Ave & Nutmeg in 1950, M.P. Moller once again enlarged the instrument to approximately 45 ranks with a 3-manual console.
In 1969, a complete rebuild of the organ was completed by Aeolian-Skinner, retaining the best pipework from the previous instruments. This instrument, now with a new 4-manual console, was one of the firm's last installations west of the Mississippi. This instrument, with some modifications made in 1989-1990 contains 78 ranks and over 4,300 pipes serves the cathedral today.Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome to participate in the life of the cathedral. Join us at God’s table and fulfill the two most important desires in life: our yearning for coherence and community.
Visit... stpaulcathedral.org
Saint Paul's Cathedral
2728 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, California 92103
Phone: 619-298-7261
