Our History...
To follow is a brief excerpt of the history of Greater St. Paul CME Church. Many
of the facts presented in this history come from the writings of Sister Catherine
L. Vaughans.
After slavery, which is considered our first phase of growth, our people were
allowed to worship with the white congregation of Bethlehem Methodist Church,
which was organized in 1818. This church still stands today on the Fairfield-
Hueytown Highway on Tin Mill Road, near Dolomite, AL.
The blacks had to sit in the balcony or some other area that was designated for
them, and they were not allowed to take communion at the altar. Becoming tired
of this method of worship, they decided to disassemble themselves from that
church and they began their own churches.
They organized small groups called circuits. The circuits included Mt. Zion, New
Hope, Possum Valley, and Cedar Grove. The pastor of these groups was called
the circuit rider, because he had to travel from one circuit to another on
horseback.
In 1870, these circuits came together and formed the first St. Paul, located in Old
Jonesboro. Two of the noted bishops of that time were J. A. Beebe and L.H.
Holsey.
In 1887, track was being laid for the L&N railroad, and the surveyors ran the line
directly through the church. So, consequently, the church had to move. The first
site selected was 4th Ave. and 14th Street. But, the trustees did not like that
location, so, they selected a site on 6th Ave. and 14th Street. There they built a
frame church. There was no water convenient, so they dug a well. In 1890-1891,
they built a three-room parsonage.
During the second phase of growth, from 1903 – 1908, the church was rebuilt and
bricked. Due to low wages, the members of the church had very little money.
But they worked hard and didn’t mind sacrificing for the church. The ladies sold
cakes, homemade ice cream, chicken and other foods to raise money to build the
brick church.
From 1919-1926, St. Paul was part of a district known as the West Birmingham
District. This made travel and work on the district level more convenient.
We now come to the phase that is considered the third phase of growth.
In 1947, when Rev. J. W. Bonner was the pastor, they were on 6th Ave. and 14th
Street to another site. The congregation decided to move from the 6th Avenue
location to its present site here at 10th Ave and 17th Street. The members then
built a parsonage and the church basement. Then, once again, the women
sprang into action selling food. After much hard work and sacrifice, the
sanctuary was completed and dedicated in 1954. The columns that grace the
front of the church were donated by the Stockham Memorial Methodist Church,
when it was dismantled and moved.
In the years to follow, under the leadership of Rev. I. F. Lynch, the bonded debt
grew smaller. And, in 1967, Rev. W.W. Thomas was assigned to St. Paul, and
under his leadership, the debt was paid in full. Once the debt was satisfied, the
congregation, again, sprang into action to raise funds for re-decorating and re-
furnishing the church. Bids were taken and the work began. The sanctuary was
paneled and painted. New stained glass windows, which were donated by
members, were installed, new seats were placed in the choir stand, the
congregation purchased a new organ to enhance worship service, the
basement was divided into classrooms, a new kitchen and new bathrooms were
added. The front of the church was also changed by adding steps on both sides
of the landing and removing the steps that were in the center.
While still being led by Rev. Thomas, all remodeling debts were satisfied by the
spring of 1979. The church celebrated with a mortgage burning ceremony, with
Bishop C. A. Kirkendoll delivering the sermon.
In this period of growth, the name of the church was changed from St. Paul to
Greater St. Paul.
After serving Greater St. Paul for 13 years, Rev. W.W. Thomas was moved to the
Birmingham District.
Our next pastor was Rev. W.O. Patrick. He was the only minister to marry within
his first year in this church, and under his ministry, a new parsonage was
acquired.
The church purchased a van under the leadership of Rev. Charles E. Henry.
Other improvements and property acquisitions have been made under our
present leader, Rev. Nathaniel Skipwith.
In this report, I will not be able to list the names of all the officers, members and
friends who have aided us on our Christian journey, but we are grateful to them.
Some of our presiding prelates include the Bishops:
B. Doyle, E. P. Murchirson, C. A. Kirkendoll, D. I. Isom, R. O. Bass, Paul
Stewart, and presently serving is Bishop L.L. Reddick, III.
Some of our elders include the Reverends:
I. F. Lynch, Sidney Hill, Sr., L.L. Watkins, W. O. Patrick, Dr. C.A. Smith, and
presently serving is Elder Lilly A. Rainey.
Serving us as pastors since 1947 were the Reverends:
1947 – 1954 John W. Bonner
1954 – 1960 G. M. Frazier
1960 – 1962 Earlie H. Hicks
1962 – 1967 I. F. Lynch
1967 – 1980 W.W. Thomas
1980 – 1982 W.O. Patrick
1982 – 1983 Earlie Hicks (a second time)
Aug.’83 – Dec’83 John Hughes
Dec’83 – Jan’84 L. L. Watkins
Jan’84 – 1985 Tony Henderson
1985 – 1988 Roderick Zak
1988 – 1990 W. E. Pollen
1990 – 1990 Merriweather
1990 – 1993 George P. Hill
1993 – 1997 Hattie D. Loving
1997 – 2003 Charles E. Henry
2003 –Present Nathaniel Skipwith
If it is true that history repeats itself, then we have some great things in store for
us here at Greater St. Paul C. M. E. Church.
(Compiled by Mrs. Gloria Gordon)
To follow is a brief excerpt of the history of Greater St. Paul CME Church. Many
of the facts presented in this history come from the writings of Sister Catherine
L. Vaughans.
After slavery, which is considered our first phase of growth, our people were
allowed to worship with the white congregation of Bethlehem Methodist Church,
which was organized in 1818. This church still stands today on the Fairfield-
Hueytown Highway on Tin Mill Road, near Dolomite, AL.
The blacks had to sit in the balcony or some other area that was designated for
them, and they were not allowed to take communion at the altar. Becoming tired
of this method of worship, they decided to disassemble themselves from that
church and they began their own churches.
They organized small groups called circuits. The circuits included Mt. Zion, New
Hope, Possum Valley, and Cedar Grove. The pastor of these groups was called
the circuit rider, because he had to travel from one circuit to another on
horseback.
In 1870, these circuits came together and formed the first St. Paul, located in Old
Jonesboro. Two of the noted bishops of that time were J. A. Beebe and L.H.
Holsey.
In 1887, track was being laid for the L&N railroad, and the surveyors ran the line
directly through the church. So, consequently, the church had to move. The first
site selected was 4th Ave. and 14th Street. But, the trustees did not like that
location, so, they selected a site on 6th Ave. and 14th Street. There they built a
frame church. There was no water convenient, so they dug a well. In 1890-1891,
they built a three-room parsonage.
During the second phase of growth, from 1903 – 1908, the church was rebuilt and
bricked. Due to low wages, the members of the church had very little money.
But they worked hard and didn’t mind sacrificing for the church. The ladies sold
cakes, homemade ice cream, chicken and other foods to raise money to build the
brick church.
From 1919-1926, St. Paul was part of a district known as the West Birmingham
District. This made travel and work on the district level more convenient.
We now come to the phase that is considered the third phase of growth.
In 1947, when Rev. J. W. Bonner was the pastor, they were on 6th Ave. and 14th
Street to another site. The congregation decided to move from the 6th Avenue
location to its present site here at 10th Ave and 17th Street. The members then
built a parsonage and the church basement. Then, once again, the women
sprang into action selling food. After much hard work and sacrifice, the
sanctuary was completed and dedicated in 1954. The columns that grace the
front of the church were donated by the Stockham Memorial Methodist Church,
when it was dismantled and moved.
In the years to follow, under the leadership of Rev. I. F. Lynch, the bonded debt
grew smaller. And, in 1967, Rev. W.W. Thomas was assigned to St. Paul, and
under his leadership, the debt was paid in full. Once the debt was satisfied, the
congregation, again, sprang into action to raise funds for re-decorating and re-
furnishing the church. Bids were taken and the work began. The sanctuary was
paneled and painted. New stained glass windows, which were donated by
members, were installed, new seats were placed in the choir stand, the
congregation purchased a new organ to enhance worship service, the
basement was divided into classrooms, a new kitchen and new bathrooms were
added. The front of the church was also changed by adding steps on both sides
of the landing and removing the steps that were in the center.
While still being led by Rev. Thomas, all remodeling debts were satisfied by the
spring of 1979. The church celebrated with a mortgage burning ceremony, with
Bishop C. A. Kirkendoll delivering the sermon.
In this period of growth, the name of the church was changed from St. Paul to
Greater St. Paul.
After serving Greater St. Paul for 13 years, Rev. W.W. Thomas was moved to the
Birmingham District.
Our next pastor was Rev. W.O. Patrick. He was the only minister to marry within
his first year in this church, and under his ministry, a new parsonage was
acquired.
The church purchased a van under the leadership of Rev. Charles E. Henry.
Other improvements and property acquisitions have been made under our
present leader, Rev. Nathaniel Skipwith.
In this report, I will not be able to list the names of all the officers, members and
friends who have aided us on our Christian journey, but we are grateful to them.
Some of our presiding prelates include the Bishops:
B. Doyle, E. P. Murchirson, C. A. Kirkendoll, D. I. Isom, R. O. Bass, Paul
Stewart, and presently serving is Bishop L.L. Reddick, III.
Some of our elders include the Reverends:
I. F. Lynch, Sidney Hill, Sr., L.L. Watkins, W. O. Patrick, Dr. C.A. Smith, and
presently serving is Elder Lilly A. Rainey.
Serving us as pastors since 1947 were the Reverends:
1947 – 1954 John W. Bonner
1954 – 1960 G. M. Frazier
1960 – 1962 Earlie H. Hicks
1962 – 1967 I. F. Lynch
1967 – 1980 W.W. Thomas
1980 – 1982 W.O. Patrick
1982 – 1983 Earlie Hicks (a second time)
Aug.’83 – Dec’83 John Hughes
Dec’83 – Jan’84 L. L. Watkins
Jan’84 – 1985 Tony Henderson
1985 – 1988 Roderick Zak
1988 – 1990 W. E. Pollen
1990 – 1990 Merriweather
1990 – 1993 George P. Hill
1993 – 1997 Hattie D. Loving
1997 – 2003 Charles E. Henry
2003 –Present Nathaniel Skipwith
If it is true that history repeats itself, then we have some great things in store for
us here at Greater St. Paul C. M. E. Church.
(Compiled by Mrs. Gloria Gordon)
The History of
Greater St. Paul
Christian Methodist Episcopal
Church
Greater St. Paul
Christian Methodist Episcopal
Church
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