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A brief history

The population of Warwick grew rapidly in the early 1800s when the opening of the canal enabled many new industries to develop in the local area. The work-force was housed in the newly-erected streets in the western parts of the town, such as Crompton Street, Woodhouse Street, and Queen's Square. As the population grew, the churchyards of St Mary and St Nicholas became full and in 1823 both churches petitioned the Bishop of Worcester for extra burial space. (The Coventry diocese was only created in 1918.)
​As a result, on 23rd July 1824 ground was consecrated in Friars Street and later in the same year a cemetery chapel was built. This was known as St Mary's Episcopal Chapel, being served by St Mary's, and was used exclusively for burials. Then in 1842 it was proposed that a new Free Church should be built. In 1844 the Parish of St Paul's was formed out of the western part of St Mary's Parish. The church was completed in the same year and consecrated on 26th July 1844 by the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd Henry Pepys.