In September 1957, St. Paul's Nursery School and Kindergarten first opened its doors using rooms in the basement level of the Parish House on Main St. The first director and founder of the school was Dorothy E. Belden, wife of the rector, Canon Frederick H. Belden. At that time, there were no public school kindergarten programs, and throughout 1956 there had been extensive discussions and informal surveys showing that the parish family and the community desired and would benefit from the availability of such a program. The school opened with one class of four year olds and two of five year olds.

From the beginning the school was a resounding success. Children who "graduated" from St. Paul's were found to be far ahead of their outside peer group from first grade on. There were numerous testimonials from satisfied parents and from the public school teachers who received those children into their classes. The school became state sanctioned in the late 50's or very early 60's, and all of the teachers became state certified, a standard which continues to the present.

From the outset, it was made clear that this was a school that was open to all children in the larger community. Members of St. Paul's were given a head start at the time of pre-registration, but children were accepted to the school regardless of their race, religion, socio-economic status or any other extraneous consideration. The school was of St. Paul's but not exclusively for St. Paul's. Canon and Mrs. Belden felt very strongly that the school should be a place where all children could find love and security while obtaining a first rate early education program. From that day to this, the school has served as a safety net for children in crisis. In the first year, one three year old was in the nursery school class because her mother was dying of cancer and the school provided a consistent and loving environment for a child whose family was torn apart by a parent's illness. That kind of compassion and outreach has continued from the earliest days to the present time.

When the state mandated that all school districts provide public kindergarten, the mission at St. Paul's changed slightly. The kindergarten class was limited to one while the nursery school class increased to two. The school has continued to be responsive to the needs of the larger community, adding a program for three year olds and a lunch program for children whose parents want them in a supervised environment for a little longer in the day. This capacity to change as the needs of the community have changed is another hallmark of the school.

It is important to note that over the years, the School has provided an entrée for many into the larger St. Paul's family. Students who began attending daily school also wanted to attend Sunday School,. Parents who had no church affiliation or who belonged to a different church community became members of St. Paul's because they came to see the loving and supportive Christian environment which their children first encountered as day students. Thus, the school has always been an important part of the parish's role in the community.