MR. RAYMOND DAVIS began his writing of the Church's History with this statement:

"By way of an explanation let me state at the beginning that what is here is not a complete, authentic record of the life of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, but rather it is a recording of the events that I have knowledge of, over a space of more than 50 years as a member and officer in St. Paul; together with bits of history which I elicited from members who preceded me in a previous generation; and what I have culled from old programs, brochures of special events held many years ago. 

 Also, we are indebted to the Librarian of the Ohioana Library for some of the facts which are contained herein.  Knowing that there are many facts which should be included but which are not known, or, which cannot be included as factual, I hope that whoever reads these pages would look upon what is written as being "A HISTORY' and not "THE HISTORY" of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, at Columbus, Ohio, as arranged by the writer.  

The First Class....

On the shelves of The Ohioana Library in the State Office Building are two books which tell of the early beginnings of churches in Columbus, Ohio.  One of the books has the title, "History of Franklin County", author, William T. Martin, date of printing, 1858.  On Page 364 of the book under the heading of "Churches of Columbus", Chapter 36, sub-heading "Methodist" the first paragraph states, "the first Methodist Church, or, Class in Columbus was organized early in the year 1812, and the first church was erected in 1814, by Rev. Samuel West, the preacher then in charge of the circuit.  The Class first consisted of four members only, George McCormick and his wife; George B. Harvey; and Miss Jane Armstrong, who soon became the wife of Mr. Harvey.  The next member admitted was Moses Freeman, a colored man, who some 8 or 10 years later, left with his family for Liberia in Africa, where it is said he died not long after.”

In 1814 , the first Methodist Church in Columbus was erected.  Built of hewn logs, it cost the members ‑ black and white worshiping together ‑ the modest sum of $157.53‑1/2.  Located on a lot donated by the city, it was named the Town Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

 Moses Freeman

In 1823, Moses Freeman (the fifth charter member) separated from the Town Street Church.  With 12 followers he organized an independent society.   At the beginning they held their meetings from house to house, then in rented rooms until 1839 or 1840 when they erected their present church on East Long Street.

 The small group, founded by him, their roots deep in Methodism, gradually began to increase.  Finally, in 1824 for the first time they were able to worship in a building of their own.

 It was just a little log cabin (whether rented or purchased is not known) located on the east side of Straight Alley (Lazelle St.) just north of Spring Street. This, their first church, was named Bethel.

  It has not been established who the first pastor was, but these are the good people, with possibly a few others, who constituted the congregation:

 Allen Brown and his wife Sarah, George Stanton, Edward Smith, Anthony Barrett and his wife Nancy, Wyatt Johnson and Cynthia Johnson, Amos Dandridge, Joseph and Esther Harris, Richard Butcher and his wife Mason, James and Abby Bland, Jacob and Esther Brown, Robert Butcher and family.

 Eventually the congregation outgrew the little log cabin.  In 1830, seven years after organization a site was selected on the south side of Long Street (No. 71) between Third and High Streets.

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