Our History

St. Paul's United Methodist Church has been serving Coronado since 1887. In 1962 our old sanctuary was razed, and in May, 1963, our beautiful new building was completed. We dedicate this sanctuary to the Glory of God and to the service of Jesus Christ.

Our incorporated name is "St. Paul's Methodist Church, The Church of the Voyager." Many of our members are Navy families. Coronado is surrounded by the sea. The early church used signs and symbols from the sea -- hence the symbolism of the church and its buildings.

In the tradition of many Scandinavian and New England churches, the model Spanish galleon hangs in the sanctuary facing the altar. It symbolizes the spiritual presence if those who are away at sea on ships. This model was presented to St. Paul's by some of our Navy people.

The massive pulpit is shaped like the prow of a ship, and though the lectern looks like the traditional Bible, it is also reminiscent of a seagull in flight. The nave (Latin: Navis, ship) looks like the hold of a ship, based on the idea of early Christians who imagined themselves pulling together in service (just as the slaves on the old galleys pulled together upon the oars in the hold of the ship).

The stained glass in its abstract design, reminds us of the sea, with its multiple colors and shapes. The blue-green carpeting adds to the affect of the sea. The cross above the table is in rough bronze, mottled as one would expect in a ship. The richly carved communion table is of massive design and has carvings of the traditional emblem of St. Paul -- a sword through a Bible, with the words "Spiritus Gladius" -- "The sword of the Spirit", from Ephesians 6:17. Additional carvings in the communion table are a communion cup, clusters of grapes and tassels of wheat (symbolizing the elements of communion), and a ship with billowing sails.

The exterior of the church also reminds us of a ship. The steeple in the front looks like the prow of a ship, whereas the great walls are bowed like the sides of a ship. The landscaping in front of the church billows up like the waves of the sea.

This sanctuary was designed by the outstanding church architect, Hal Whittemore, A.I.A., of Pacific Palisades, California and the fine and sold construction was by Robert Hurst of Hurst construction Company, El Cajon, California.

We are glad you have come to worship God in our sanctuary. We invite you to participate in His service in the activities of the church. May God richly bless you as you worship here, and may the witness of us all be more significant because we have had this time of worship together.