The parish traces its roots to the first Protestant congregation in San Diego founded at Old Town in 1853.
This eventually became the parish of Holy Trinity downtown at 8th and C streets, where it re-incorporated as St Paul's in 1887.
In 1919, as St. Paul's was outgrowing its home downtown, the vestry purchased property opposite Balboa Park.
They recruited Philip Frohman, a leader of the neo-Gothic style who designed the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to design the new campus with a sizable church.
Apparently the vestry expected an eventual separation from the Los Angeles Diocese that would make St. Paul's the Cathedral of San Diego, since they planned a large structure.
The Great Hall was completed in 1929, but the church construction was severely delayed by the Great Depression and conflicts with the architect, so groundbreaking did not occur until 1950.
The first service in the new church was held in 1951, although the building was not fully finished.
Additions over the years included a chapel and an office wing.

In 1973, the long-anticipated creation of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego occurred, by dividing the large Los Angeles diocese.
In 1985, St. Paul's became the cathedral of the new diocese.
The parish traces its roots to the first Protestant congregation in San Diego founded at Old Town in 1853. This eventually became the parish of Holy Trinity downtown at 8th and C streets, where it re-incorporated as St Paul's in 1887. In 1919, as St. Paul's was outgrowing its home downtown, the vestry purchased property opposite Balboa Park. They recruited Philip Frohman, a leader of the neo-Gothic style who designed the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to design the new campus with a sizable church. Apparently the vestry expected an eventual separation from the Los Angeles Diocese that would make St. Paul's the Cathedral of San Diego, since they planned a large structure. The Great Hall was completed in 1929, but the church construction was severely delayed by the Great Depression and conflicts with the architect, so groundbreaking did not occur until 1950. The first service in the new church was held in 1951, although the building was not fully finished. Additions over the years included a chapel and an office wing.
In 1973, the long-anticipated creation of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego occurred, by dividing the large Los Angeles diocese. In 1985, St. Paul's became the cathedral of the new diocese.
St. Paul's Cathedral (San Diego)