St Paul's was one of the first churches built by the Church of Ireland, in the middle of the nineteenth century, to meet the needs of the large number of migrants who flocked to Belfast from the improverished countryside, in search of work in the many mills and factories which has been built in this part of the rapidly grown town. When it was built, the area around the church was completely different to that which exists today. St Pauls was mostly surrounded by green fields and the great estate houses owned by some of Belfast's weallthiest citizens. The population in the York Street area increased so rapidly that, in the latter part of the century, an extra aisle had to be added to St Paul's to accommodate the large number of worshippers.

St Barnabas parish was created in 1891 to accommodate the growing number of mill and factory workers. An “Iron Hall” was erected on Halliday’s Road and there the first parishioners worshipped, until a church was erected in Duncairn Gardens in 1892. At Easter 1941 the church was destroyed by enemy action during the “Blitz” on Belfast and the school beside the church was also badly damaged. The foundation stone for the new church was laid in 1955 and the church building was consecrated and opened for worship during 1957.This was followed ten years later by the opening of a new suite of halls by the then Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Captain Terence O’Neill. The “troubles”, accompanied by large scale redevelopment in the Duncairn area, which over the subsequent 25 years were to have such a devastating effect on the parish, began. Following its amalgamation with St Paul’s in 1992,St Barnabas church and halls were acquired by the Department of the Environment and were demolished in 1995 to make way for new offices and factories.

St Pauls and St Barnabas. Given the fact that the years had taken their toll on the condition of St Paul’s church, and repairs were required to the tower, the roof and the external stonework, a major renovation plan was put in place during the mid 1990s. Work on the project is now complete and as well as providing for the installation of new heating and lighting systems, restoration of the bell tower, external repairs to the roof and stonework, a number of new features have been included: The North Aisle has been remodelled to provide a side chapel dedicated to St Barnabas and a lounge for use by both parishioners and the wider community, complete with toilet and kitchen facilities. These improvements to the church building have been widely welcomed, are extensively used, and will serve the worshipping community of St Paul’s, for years to come.