History:

Saint Paul African Methodist Church was organized in 1878. The first Church structure was built at a sacrifice, as wages and earning power were at a low ebb for persons of African descent. Despite these handicaps the Church was built. Mr. L. Bates, a successful blacksmith in the community donated the land for the Church.

The first pastor was the Reverend Andrew Paul Beslaw.

About 1900 the Church burned down and many of the first records were lost; therefore we rely on memories of those whose parents were pioneers in establishing our Church. After the first loss by fire, these faithful Christians rebuilt the Church on the present site. This time they were able to build a parsonage for the pastor on the original site. Two years later, fire struck again. Both the Church and the parsonage were lost and rebuilt in the same year. In 1902 Bishop Henry McNeal Turner dedicated the new buildings to the glory of God.

From 1902 to 1908 the marble table top, which now stands in the vestibule, was used the the communion table. It was purchased by the first Trustees of record in 1904. They were Brother W. M. Wright, Williams Robinson, J. W. Smith, W. M. Morris, Lee Leslie, Tom Nelson, J. M. Marks, T. M. Morris, and N. J. Broughton. During the depression Sister Mahalie Clark purchased and donated the first piano to the Church. The Church was connected to General (Connectional) Church in 1912. Joseph Simeon Flipper was Bishop.