About Saint Paul’s Anglican Church

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church is a Reformed Episcopal parish located in Los Altos, California, committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through reverent worship, biblical preaching, and sacramental life. We joyfully affirm the historic faith as expressed in the Holy Scriptures, the Creeds, and the tradition of the undivided Church.

Our Identity

Saint Paul’s is a congregation of the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), a founding jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). We uphold the classical Anglican doctrine and worship as set forth in the 1662 and 1928 Books of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion.

We gather weekly around the Lord’s Table to be renewed by Word and Sacrament, presenting our lives as a living sacrifice in response to the mercies of God (Romans 12:1). In doing so, we are formed as disciples and sent to love God and serve our neighbor.

What We Believe

We believe:

  • In the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God and the sole rule of faith and practice
  • In the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as faithful summaries of the Christian faith
  • In the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as instituted by Christ
  • In the doctrine of grace as expressed in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion

These beliefs unite us with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church and anchor us in the truth of the Gospel across time and cultures.

Our History

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church was founded in Los Altos in the mid-20th century and was incorporated in the State of California as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on January 17, 1967 (Corporation No. C0520749).

Over the decades, Saint Paul’s has remained a faithful witness to orthodox Anglican worship and life, serving the greater Bay Area with pastoral care, Christian education, and community ministry.

Our Leadership

The parish is under the spiritual and pastoral leadership of the Rector, who is a presbyter in good standing with the Reformed Episcopal Church and canonically resident in the Diocese of Mid-America.

Our lay leadership is comprised of a Vestry—a body of confirmed communicant members who assist in the stewardship, governance, and spiritual direction of the parish in partnership with the Rector.

Key Relationships:

  • Rector presides over the vestry and is a spiritual and organizational leader.
  • Senior Warden supports the Rector and has executive power.
  • Junior Warden represents the congregation and oversees practical matters.
  • Vestry Members are the lay team responsible for church business and fiduciary decisions.
  • All roles overlap in vestry meetings and work under the canons and bylaws.

Saint Paul’s is also the founding home of Canterbury Christian School, an institution committed to classical Christian education rooted in Scripture and tradition.

The Story of Saint Paul’s

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church was founded in 1967 as a community committed to the same doctrines universally embraced by the early Church and revived in the sixteenth century by the English Reformers. The Very Reverend Norman Milbank became the parish’s first rector when he was ordained at nearly fifty years of age. He credits his personal friend and parishioner, Dr. Rousas John Rushdoony, as the inspiration for launching Canterbury Christian School on the church campus.

By God’s providence, we found a permanent home when the property at 101 North El Monte Avenue, Los Altos, became available in 1970. A small Baptist congregation had built two beautiful buildings on two acres of land. Saint Paul’s acquired the property, and the first service in our new home was held on October 25, 1970.

Vestry and Local Anglican Church Leadership

In the Anglican tradition, our churches are structured with a balance of spiritual leadership and lay oversight. This model is rooted in biblical principles and the wisdom of church history, particularly the English Reformation. If you’ve ever wondered how decisions are made in an Anglican parish—or what exactly a “vestry” does—here’s a simple overview.

At the heart of the parish is the Rector, who is the spiritual leader and pastor of the congregation. The Rector is entrusted with the oversight of:

  • Worship services
  • Music and liturgy
  • Preaching and teaching
  • The sacraments
  • Church discipline

These spiritual matters are not subject to votes by the vestry or congregation. The Rector serves under the authority of the Bishop, not the local parish. In fact, the Rector’s church membership is held at the diocesan level, not the parish level.

If disagreements arise between a parish and its Rector, the Bishop Ordinary (or an assisting bishop) helps mediate and, if needed, makes the final decision. Appeals can go as far as the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church, ensuring checks and balances are in place—just as they were in the Reformation-era churches of Geneva, Wittenberg, and England.

The Vestry is the lay leadership council responsible for the temporal and financial affairs of the parish. These responsibilities include:

  • Managing the parish budget and accounts
  • Overseeing the care and use of church buildings and grounds
  • Making decisions about rentals, repairs, and facility use
  • Supporting ministry committees (e.g., outreach, education, hospitality)

The Rector chairs the Vestry but does not vote except in the case of a tie. In a mission church (rather than a full parish), the Bishop appoints a Vicar and a “Bishop’s Committee” serves the role of the vestry.

Importantly, the Vestry does not govern worship, theology, or sacraments—that remains the Rector’s responsibility.

The Parish Council: Wardens as Advisors

Two key lay leaders serve as Wardens:

  • The Senior Warden (also called the Rector’s Warden) supports the Rector directly, advocates for the Rector’s needs to the Vestry, and may chair Vestry meetings when the Rector is absent. In a pastoral vacancy, the Senior Warden coordinates with the Bishop about services and leadership.
  • The Junior Warden (or People’s Warden) represents the congregation’s concerns to the Rector and Vestry, oversees church property, and ensures financial accountability, including annual audits.

Together, the Rector and Wardens form the Parish Council, a body for counsel and planning—not for voting. Their private discussions are meant to be confidential, especially when dealing with sensitive matters of pastoral care or church discipline.

Working Together in Harmony

When each part of the parish leadership honors its role, the church thrives. But problems can arise when lines blur—for example, when Vestry members try to influence worship decisions, or when a Rector bypasses the Vestry on financial matters.

To prevent conflict, it’s important for everyone—clergy and laity alike—to understand their duties. Open, respectful communication is essential. And when challenges do arise, it’s wise to involve the Bishop early rather than letting tensions build.

A Tradition of Shared Leadership

This model of church governance is not simply bureaucratic—it’s biblical and pastoral. The Rector leads as a shepherd of souls; the Vestry serves as stewards of the church’s resources; the Wardens provide wise counsel and support. Each role reflects a shared commitment to Christ and His Church.

At St. Paul’s Anglican Church, membership is more than joining a community—it’s a joyful commitment to walk together in the life of Christ and His Church. Rooted in historic Anglican tradition, membership reflects both personal faith and a shared witness to the Gospel.

Here’s what it means to become a member of St. Paul’s:

Who Can Become a Member?

Membership at St. Paul’s is extended to Christians who:

  • Have been baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
  • Have been confirmed, are actively preparing for confirmation at St. Paul’s, or have made a comparable public profession of Christian faith recognized by this Church (such as chrismation in the Eastern tradition).
  • Have met with the Rector (or his appointed representative) for a pastoral conversation to discern readiness for membership, including agreement with our theological and moral standards—particularly those outlined in our Article VI: Marriage and Human Sexuality.
  • Have received the recommendation of the Rector and the approval of the Vestry.
  • Have signed the Statement of Faith of St. Paul’s Anglican Church.
  • Have publicly affirmed their commitment during a Service of Induction, signing the parish register before the assembled congregation on a Sunday morning.

What About Children?

The baptized children of members are counted as covenant members of the household of faith, under the care and discipleship of their believing parents. These children are nurtured in the faith with the expectation that they will one day make a mature public commitment to Christ and His Church.

The Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership

Membership is not just a title—it’s a calling. Members of St. Paul’s:

  • Participate in the worship, fellowship, and mission of the parish
  • Are eligible to vote in congregational meetings (including vestry elections), provided they are at least 21 years of age, in good standing, and demonstrate ongoing support of the church through their time and/or financial giving

Our Statement of Faith

Every member publicly affirms the following declaration of faith:

“Desiring the privileges of membership in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, without reservation, I do affirm my belief in the Holy Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, as the Word of God and the sole Rule of Faith and Practice; in the Creeds, commonly called the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasius; in the Divine Institution of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and the Doctrines of Grace, as they are set forth in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion.”

If you feel called to take the next step in your journey of faith and become a member of St. Paul’s, we’d love to walk that path with you. Speak to the Rector or contact our office to begin the process.