The first sermon at St. Paul's was preached in a small rural community on 4th July 1850 at the consecration of the original sandstone church which still stands on Mobbs Hill in Marsden Rd. The Bishop of Sydney, the Rt. Rev William G. Broughton spoke on Matthew 9:36-38.

St. Paul's originally stood on the edge of a forest on land donated by an orchardist, William Mobbs to provide a place of worship for Anglicans in the district. It was on the track which led down to Ermington wharf and the Parramatta river boats. It was not until 1943 that St. Paul's became a full parish and for 93 years it had served as a branch to other surrounding churches or as a provisional district. Sunday evening services were not commenced until 1904 and were not regular until 1937.

A history of the church was written by the rector, Rev Carl Hammond at the time of the centenary in 1950 and an updated history was published to include this, for the sesquicentenary in 2000. The updated history "Time Will Tell" contains many photos and anecdotes and makes very interesting reading. The present church in Moseley St was dedicated in October 1978 and was built to meet the needs of a large and expanding congregation in what is now a densely populated suburb. The decision to relocate had been made in 1969 when the present Archbishop, the Rt. Rev. Harry Goodhew was rector. The original property was not suitable for expansion. Definite plans for the move materialised when the Rev. Les Vitnell became rector in 1972. St. James church North Rocks joined St Paul's in 1975 to form a new church on the present site. The years of change were difficult times and Les Vitnell wrote in April 1978 "It is encouraging that throughout these years the church has maintained its spiritual vision, increased in numbers and developed many aspects of congregational life... I believe that it is indicative that God is among us."

The Rev Bruce Hall the present rector came to St. Paul's in 1983 and the congregation has continued to grow with five full time staff members and one part time. Extensions to the church building were completed in 1989 and included an enlargement to the hall and an extended courtyard. In 1997, because of growing numbers at the 7.15pm meeting new doors were installed to incorporate the lounge into the church. The first specialist youth worker was appointed in 1977 during Les Vitnell's time and since then the ministry to young people has expanded and grown. It is at present overseen by the Rev James Warren and his wife Di. A Wednesday evening service was commenced in 1989 and moved to 5.30pm on Sunday in 1999.

A feature of Bruce Hall's ministry has been the introduction of the Ministry Training Strategy whereby short term workers have been trained and gone on to full time ministry in Sydney, Australia and overseas. Evangelism, central to the plan and purpose of God for his church has always been central to the life of St. Paul's and missionary outreach and support has continued as a vital concern for 150 years. In "Time Will Tell" there is a chapter devoted to this and it is an amazing record. Photos of all St. Paul's link missionaries over the years appear, with their stories. St. Paul's also has a cemetery, opened the year after the church in 1851. It is not adjacent to the old church as was usual in those times and the reason is explained in a chapter devoted to its history in "Time will Tell". William Mobbs, who donated the land for the church and cemetery, was in fact the first person to be buried there on 14th July 1851. You can wander through this now closed cemetery (Location given in "Time Will Tell") and view many old gravestones. The Church of England homes for Boys and Girls at Carlingford had a close connection with St. Paul's during the time that they operated in the district. The present church building is in fact on part of their original land.

St. Paul's has grown to be one of the largest congregations in the Sydney Diocese and has remained faithful to the words of the text chosen for its first sermon: "they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd ... Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field" Matthew 9:36-38.

"Time Will Tell" A history of St. Paul's Anglican Church Carlingford by Helen E. Craig can be obtained from the church office for $10.00