"A HISTORY OF
ST PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH"

 They include: Four Stewardess Boards, the Helen M. Paxton Women’s Missionary Society (which formed Unit Two in the fall of 1998 under the presidency of Merzell McGhee); Senior and Junior Usher Boards, the Allen Christian Endeavor, the Board of Religious Education (included in its support of youth activities, is the financial assistance given the Scouts and the Daily Vacation Bible School, from which children of every denominational background benefit), four choirs (Senior Choir, Women’s Chorale, Male Chorus and Gospel Choir), with an additional two choirs of young people (Youth Choir and Wee Wisdom Choir).

The Wee Wisdom Choir of St. Paul was organized in the early 1950s by Mrs. Helen M. Paxton.        (This choir is now known as the Angelic Choir.)

One of the most vital departments of the church is its Sunday School.  Much of the history is not recorded and it would be difficult to compile a continuous reliable one, in its force of teachers, officers and the work accomplished. Many able and devoted men and women have served as Superintendent.  Over the years this office was successfully filled by the late Edmund B. Paxton. Others who served are Rev. Thomas Page, William Smith, Everett Sanders, Sr., (Bennie Waugh, Louise Hill, Moses Clark,  Aurealius Thomas, Benny Banks, George Jones, Debra Payne, Larry Clark).

 The Sunday School points with pride to Class No. 31.  This class was organized as a high school and university class on Sunday, October 23, 1926, by Rev. J. S. Jackson on his last Sunday as the pastor.  Mr. Raymond R. Davis was the teacher of the class at its beginning. The class would have breakfast trips occasionally along the banks of the Scioto River where they would fellowship and study the lesson of the day. They took educational trips to parks in Ohio and some class members were presented in a play at the Lincoln Theatre on Long Street

Over the years, the class has surprised and delighted members of the church by interspersing into their regular program of religious activities many cultural and unique events.  These have varied from a full length stage production, given at the Lincoln Theatre, elaborate banquets, honoring prominent citizens, who were once active members of the class.

Incorporated...On March 9, 1959, the church was incorporated.  The historic pulpit has had superb leadership.  It would be impossible to condense into a few paragraphs the far-reaching influence of its pastors.  The work done by them to bring about the growth of the church to its present high standing      - not only in the community but throughout the Connection - has been tremendous.

Ministers - since 1905, the following outstanding men have served St. Paul at its present location: Robert R. Downs, James M. Henderson, W.H.H. Butler, J.W. Gazaway (two terms) E.A. Clark (two terms), J.S. Jackson, J.C. Anderson, J.F. Williams, Harrison Payne, Hubert N. Robinson, A. Sidney King, J.D. Howell, Alvia A. Shaw, Andrew A. Hughey,  Thomas E. Liggins and Dr. Michael R. Bean.

Rev. Alvia A. Shaw, assigned to St. Paul in October 1956, guided the congregation in the purchase and remodeling of an old dilapidated building which stood vacant directly across the street from the church.  

It had been used as a laundry.  The purchase of the building and its restoration marked a tremendous break-through in the expansion life of the church.  The building was not only remodeled but practically re-built.  Today, the Annex (as it is known) serves as the Church Office.  It also includes a large multi-purpose room which is used for prayer meetings, Bible study, and group gatherings.  There are three classrooms upstairs.

For many years the church had reached the point where it was a “one service” church on Sunday.  Many of its members were not attending the evening service.  Rev. Shaw introduced the idea of two morning services (8 a.m. and 11 a.m.) to the members.  The idea was put into practice and it has meant a great increase in the attendance, and support of the church.  Many visitors from time to time who could not attend the 11 o'clock service at their church attend St. Paul's 8 a.m. service.  (The 8:00 a.m. service was changed to 7:30 a.m. in 1998.)

 Rev. Andrew A. Hughey followed Rev. Shaw in 1968.  He served for five years. Under his pastorate there were many improvements including the repairing of the sidewalks; covering part of the Church with a new roof; painting the interior of the Church; refurbishing the Finance Room; the Nursery Department; and a Sunday School room. By 1971, under his administration, the entire downstairs was renovated including the complete remodeling of the kitchen and restrooms.

At the end of his fifth year, under his leadership, the Church burned the mortgages which amounted over $39,000.  During his administration a young adult choir was organized.

A Senior Citizens program was organized with Juanita Whaley Cartier as the coordinator.  She prepared a Senior Citizen's information and Referral book which enlightened St. Paul's members to the various programs and services available to them.  On Senior Citizens Sunday in May, members participated in the worship service.  Other activities of the committee were giving Bibles to a nursing home; those 80 and older received appreciation certificates; and they enjoyed social events together.  Juanita Whaley Cartier was a Social Service Advisor to persons living in Columbus Metropolitan Housing between 1970- 1981 serving over 10,000 people.

The next coordinators were Delores Mandeville who held informative lunches; Nancy Winfrey Thomas who continued this tradition.  Lucille Chilton was the last coordinator.  She and her committee - Jackie Knight, Dorothy McMahan, Elise Biles and Cheryl Sprinkle - planned events and luncheons of interest to seniors.

Rev. Thomas E. Liggins was appointed to St. Paul in October 1973.  (He was appointed presiding elder in 1989.)  Soon after his arrival, the church embarked on several projects of improvements.  The first was to cover the exterior of the church to protect the fragile original bricks, purchased a new furnace and painted the interior of the Church.  Under his pastorate, St. Paul purchased the old barber shop building located near the service station converted it into a Thrift Shop. The shop which was managed by Nancy Winfrey Thomas and staffed by volunteers from various church organizations, not only served the community as a store but was an outreach program for families who experienced emergency needs - such as fire victims.  The church also purchased a house on Jefferson Avenue which was located on the lot that is now part of the west lawn.  The Annex and parsonage were sand blasted and tuck pointed.

Rev. Liggins introduced the bus ministry; a video and tape ministry service for the shut‑ins; and the delivery of Thanksgiving dinner to shut-ins.  He and his officers worked on developing a renovation plan for the church called (Phase I).  Out of Phase I a new sidewalk in front of the church was laid. Administratively, Rev. Liggins felt the need to increase his staff to accommodate the growing needs of the church by creating the position of Administrative Assistant and by purchasing a computer to handle the many programs and activities which the office faced. 

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