About St. Paul · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
St. Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, seated at 923 Christian Street in the heart of South Philadelphia's historic Italian Market. Founded in 1843, it is the twelfth-oldest Catholic church within Philadelphia's city limits and today includes the worship site of St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church at 712 Montrose Street. The parish is pastored by Augustinian Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A., and serves the Bella Vista / 9th Street Italian Market neighborhood with daily and Sunday Masses, religious education, sacraments, and outreach to the surrounding community.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A., Ph.D.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Deanery: Philadelphia South and East)
Why belong here
St. Paul Parish is a 180-year-old Augustinian Catholic community in the heart of South Philadelphia's Italian Market, offering multiple Sunday Masses (including the 10:00 AM Italian-tradition Mass at St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi), a structured CCD/Religious Education program for grades 1–8, and an active sacramental life centered on hospitality. The parish reaches beyond its walls through a homeless ministry and goods collections for those in need, and parishioners describe it as a warmly welcoming place under Father Galetto's leadership. Whether you are drawn by its historic church, its Italian Market location, or its family-friendly faith formation, St. Paul's invites anyone looking for an active, Christ-centered parish family.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 4:00 – 4:45 PM
- By appointment
Our History
St. Paul Parish was organized in 1843 in the township of Moyamensing, south of South Street, by Rev. Patrick F. Sheridan under Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick. The cornerstone was blessed on May 7, 1843, the first Mass was offered on Christmas Day, 1843, and the completed church was dedicated by Bishop Kenrick on July 4, 1847. It is the twelfth-oldest Catholic church in the City of Philadelphia.
- Founding: 1843, by Rev. Patrick F. Sheridan
- Cornerstone blessed May 7, 1843 by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick
- First Mass celebrated Christmas Day, 1843
- Church dedicated July 4, 1847 (delayed by anti-religious riots)
Parish Growth and Mergers
Within ten years of its founding the parish was already producing daughter parishes — St. Theresa's in 1853 and the Church of the Annunciation in 1860 — and the present boundaries of St. Paul have remained largely unchanged for over a century. The present St. Paul's School was blessed by Archbishop Patrick John Ryan on December 3, 1905, when about 1,500 children attended the parish's two schools.
- 1853: St. Theresa's Church (Board and Catherine) established from St. Paul's territory
- 1860: Church of the Annunciation (10th and Dickinson) established
- 1905: Present St. Paul's School blessed by Archbishop Ryan
Consolidation with Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi
In 1932–33, on the order of Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, the neighboring parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel was consolidated with St. Paul, with Rev. Otto Toffolini appointed as pastor. St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, the former Italian national parish founded in 1852, also merged with St. Paul and today operates as the parish's second worship site at 714 Montrose Street.
- 1932: Rev. Otto Toffolini appointed pastor of consolidated parishes
- St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi (1852) now a worship site at 714 Montrose Street
- Spiritual records for the merged parishes kept at St. Paul Church
Our Pastor — Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A., Ph.D.
Rev. Paul W. Galetto, O.S.A., was assigned to St. Paul Parish by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez in August 2022. A native of Vineland, New Jersey, and a double alumnus of Villanova University, Father Galetto brings over 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator, including leadership roles at St. Rita of Cascia High School and St. Augustine College Preparatory High School, as well as service as Assistant Dean and assistant professor at Villanova's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is also Parochial Administrator at St. Augustine Parish in Philadelphia. He is known for his 'Be kind' motto and for hosting parish events such as the spaghetti-and-meatball dinner and 'Welcome and Wellness Weekend' gatherings.
- Order: Augustinian (O.S.A.)
- Education: STB, Ph.D.; double alumnus of Villanova
- Assigned by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, August 2022
Pastoral Staff and Associates
Father Galetto is assisted at St. Paul by fellow Augustinian priests who serve as resident and weekend associates, as well as by parish staff. Together they celebrate Masses, hear confessions, and minister to parishioners at both worship sites.
- Rev. Jeremy Hires, O.S.A. — Resident
- Rev. David Cregan, O.S.A. — Weekend Associate
- Rev. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A. — Weekend Assistant
- Russell DeStefano — Parish Business Manager / Administrative Assistant
- Theresa R. Smith — Coordinator of Religious Education / Parish Secretary
- Dorothy McShane — (parish team member)
Religious Education / CCD
St. Paul's CCD program is committed to educating and engaging the youth in their Catholic faith so that they may confidently share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Classes are held after school in the parish rectory, organized by ministry leader Theresa Smith. The program includes sacramental preparation for First Communion, First Penance, and Confirmation within the weekly class time.
- Monday 3:30–4:45 PM — Level 5–6
- Monday 5:00–6:00 PM — Level 7–8 (Confirmation Prep)
- Tuesday 3:30–4:45 PM — Level 1
- Wednesday 3:30–4:45 PM — Level 2 (First Communion Prep)
- Thursday 3:30–4:45 PM — Level 3–4
- Contact: Theresa Smith, [email protected]
CCD Liturgical-Year Activities
Throughout the liturgical year the Religious Education program anchors parish life with special events that connect children and families to the seasons of the Church.
- September — School Bag Blessing Mass
- October — Rosary Holy Hour
- November — Canned Food Drive and Confirmation Recognition
- December — Christmas Service and Live Nativity
- January — Recognition Mass for Communion
- February — Penance
- March — Stations of the Cross
- April — Holy Thursday and Confirmation
- May — First Communion and May Crowning
Our Mission — Pillars of Parish Life
St. Paul Parish organizes its shared life around six mission pillars: Worship, Teaching, Service, Evangelization, Stewardship, Leadership, and Christian Community. Each pillar reflects the parish's commitment to deepening faith, forming disciples, and serving the South Philadelphia neighborhood in the spirit of Christian hospitality.
- Worship — deepen spiritual understanding of the Holy Eucharist through active participation
- Teaching — fulfill our commitment to the religious education of our community
- Service — provide for the spiritual and physical needs of our community
- Evangelization — encourage all to live and share the Faith
- Stewardship — foster awareness of the need to give of time, talent, and treasure
- Leadership — enable others to recognize their gifts as lay leaders
- Christian Community — welcome all in the spirit of Christian hospitality
Outreach and Charity
Under Father Galetto's leadership, St. Paul maintains an active outreach to those in need, including goods collections for the downtrodden and a parish homeless ministry that has been particularly well received. The CCD program also runs an annual canned food drive each November as part of its Confirmation recognition.
- Homeless ministry
- Goods collections for the needy
- Annual canned food drive (November)
Worship Sites
The parish's two worship sites anchor its presence in the heart of South Philadelphia. Saint Paul Church is the main church at 923 Christian Street, while St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church at 712 Montrose Street serves as the parish's second worship site, carrying on the legacy of the historic Italian national parish.
- Saint Paul Church — 923 Christian Street
- St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church — 712 Montrose Street
Schools
Parish children attend regional Archdiocesan schools rather than a parish school today.
- Students attend: Annunciation School
- Students attend: St. Mary's Interparochial School
- Students attend: St. Nicholas School
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the rectory by phone or email, and the parish office is located at the rectory on S. Hutchinson Street.
- Address: 923 Christian St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
- Rectory: 808 S. Hutchinson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
- Phone: 215-923-0355
- Fax: 215-923-1803
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stpaulphilly.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick F. Sheridan1843 –
Founding pastor; selected the site on Christian Street opposite Commissioners Hall and celebrated the first Mass on Christmas Day, 1843.
- Rev. Otto Toffolini1932 –
Appointed by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty to lead St. Paul after the 1932–33 consolidation with Our Lady of Good Counsel.
- Rev. Edward J. Lyng
Former Army Chaplain and director of the Madonna House; succeeded as pastor and continued the spiritual and material progress of the parish.