Cullen Hall
A Beautifully Renovated Hall
Cullen Hall, built in 1867 at the same time as the church, was in dire need of renovation, to better serve parishioners and the wider community alike. With funds generously donated from within and outside the parish, in an almost two-year process, the Hall was transformed into an elegant yet warm and welcoming space. Traditional rich oak wainscoting and floors, and luminous stained-glass windows make for a friendly, convivial atmosphere. The renovation of Cullen Hall and the adjacent entryway, kitchen, restrooms and hallway was completed in 2023.
Fr Cullen
Fr Cullen served Saint Paul’s for an unprecedented thirty years, guiding the parish with grace, a sharp intellect, self-deprecating humor, and a deep sense of spirituality. Coming to Saint Paul’s after the fire of 1987, he initially celebrated Mass in the Parish Hall, as we have done many times during church renovations since. A huge part of his legacy is his warmth and his ability to bring people together, so Cullen Hall, a center of fellowship, seems an apt and fitting tribute.
Community Life & Events
Fellowship defines much of what we do and who we are here at St. Paul’s, in our worship in the sanctuary and in our gatherings in Cullen Hall. In the Hall, we have come together as parishioners and friends – for our fabled Auction and Flea Market, in coffee hours, joyous baptismal and wedding receptions, loving funeral remembrances and beautiful concerts. Groups from outside the parish make use of this space, for support meetings, parties, rehearsals and as a holding area for movie shoots.
The Hall can seat up to 100 guests or accommodate 120 standing/seated. It is heated and air conditioned for year-round comfort. A small courtyard can be used in good weather. Fully accessible, the Hall features two adjacent restrooms, one of which is ADA compliant. A modern en-suite kitchen allows for food preparation. For space rental inquiries, please reach out to info@stpaulscarrollst.org.
History
Saint Paul’s cornerstone was laid in 1867; construction was completed in 1869. The Hall was certainly built at the same time: the stone exterior is identical to the church and to the Hall, and Upjohn drawings show the two conjoined.
The chief architect was R.M. Upjohn, son of Richard Upjohn. One of the firm’s drawings shows the original use for the Hall. Along the east wall are a library and a robing room; at the southwest corner is an outside porch. The main space is for Sunday School, allowing for 24 classes seating 200. A Bible class and an infant class at the west end are labelled where the current kitchen, sacristy, and outer sacristy are now.
The restoration of Cullen Hall took cues from historical elements, including lost wood wainscoting and fragments of original stenciling.
The Finishing Touch
During the renovation of Cullen Hall, a stencil fragment was uncovered in the northwest corner, a remnant of the original elaborate wall decoration. More was later found along the east wall. Longtime parishioner Nick Mancino recalled that the stenciling was in poor condition in the 1980s, when it was painted over. Rather than attempt to restore the original, parishioners Madge Willner and Michael Miller took inspiration from these fragments and created a vibrant new stencil on a silk screen strip that now adorns the walls of Cullen Hall, making for a beautiful finishing touch.
