Preserving Sacred Music in Saint Paul’s Church
For more than two and a half centuries, Saint Paul’s Church in Augusta, Georgia has been a place where history, faith, and community converge. In celebration of its 275th anniversary, the church marked this milestone not only by looking back, but by contributing something new to a centuries-old tradition of sacred music. With support from the Porter Fleming Fund, Saint Paul commissioned original choral works that continue the Anglican practice of shaping worship through music written for a specific time and place.
A Commission Rooted in Tradition and Craft
Anglican Evensong has been sung for centuries, drawing together scripture, prayer, and music in a form designed for reflection at the close of the day. While deeply rooted in tradition, Evensong has always evolved through new musical settings composed for specific communities and occasions.
The Porter Fleming Fund’s grant enabled Saint Paul’s Church to continue this tradition in a meaningful way. Rather than relying solely on existing repertoire, the church commissioned new music tailored to its anniversary and worship life. Music intended not only for a single service, but for ongoing use.
From Local Celebration to Global Reach
The commissioned works were published by Encore Publications, an independent British music publisher specializing in choral music. As a result, the music composed for Saint Paul’s anniversary now extends far beyond Augusta.
Churches and choirs around the world can access and perform these settings, allowing a local celebration to become part of the broader Anglican musical tradition. In this way, the Porter Fleming Fund’s support helped transform a commemorative moment into a lasting cultural contribution.
Supporting the Arts as Living Heritage
This project reflects the Porter Fleming Fund’s broader mission to support artistic endeavors that preserve, enrich, and extend cultural heritage. By funding the creation of new sacred music, the Fund helped sustain a living tradition — one that continues to shape worship, inspire choirs, and connect communities across generations and geographies.
More than a single performance, the grant ensured that new work entered the permanent repertoire of choral music, available to churches long after the anniversary service concluded.