The St. Paul Church was organized in 1867 by newly freed slaves.
Its first edifice being located on Cypress Street. T
his plot of land was donated by Mr L.T .Gray and his wife Nancy.
As the years progressed the worship has been held in several different locations.
The church was known as Saint Paul Methodist Episcopal Church until 1967 when it became Saint Paul United Methodist church.
The Saint Paul Church as many other houses of prayer has experienced its share of adversity.
The church was even devastatingly consumed by fire in 1917.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the church to close its doors for in person worship for more than a year.
In addition to that setback the Lord called home their long time leader doctor Winston McCowan senior in 2021.
This sent the church into even a deeper mode of recovery.
The current pastor, Rev. Ray C. Walker, is excited and determined to take the church to higher heights and deeper depths.
‘If the people don’t come to the church we will simply take the church to the people,” Walker said. And they are doing so with several different projects.
One of the major ones is enhancing the bus ministry not only delivering parishioners to worship but also ministering to the needs of the community with providing transportation for the elderly and or disenfranchise by acting as a makeshift Uber service from time to time. Running errands to the local grocer and pharmacy.
The church has also been instrumental in offering wellness events acting as a current hub for Marion County COVID testing and vaccinations.
“The ultimate goal is to provide ministry to the whole man. Spiritually, mentally, physically and economically. Even though we have experienced setback and heartbreak. We want the world to know that the church is still the church,” Rev. Walker said. “Let the people rejoice. We have settled the question and we made our choice. Let the anthems ring out. Let victory swell for the church is still triumphant. We are alive and we are well. Happy Black History month.”