An Abridged History
St. Paul A.M.E. Church was organized in 1823 as Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church by Moses Freeman and 13 other members from the Town Street Church. It was originally located on the east side of Lazelle Alley, north of Spring Street.
In 1830, a larger building was erected at 71 E. Long Street. This building served as a place of worship until 1841 when a brick building replaced the framed building. In 1905, under the pastorate of
Rev. Robert R. Downs, lots were purchased for $6,000 at the location where the church now stands,639 E. Long Street. The new church was completed in 1906.During the administration of Rev. Alvia A. Shaw, assigned to St. Paul in 1956, the congregation purchased a new parsonage located at 1794 Franklin Avenue. In addition, Rev. Shaw introduced the idea of two morning services
(8 a.m. and 11 a.m.). He guided the congregation in the purchase and remodeling of the Annex building which houses the church's office, multi-purpose room and classrooms.Following Rev. Shaw, Rev. Andrew A. Hughey was appointed to St. Paul in 1968. He served for five years.
The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Liggins was appointed to St. Paul in October 1973 and was appointed Presiding Elder in 1989. During his administration, St. Paul opened a Thrift Shop, which was located in the former barbershop beside the church that was purchased by the church. In addition, two other pieces of property were
purchased - a house on the corner of Jefferson and Boone and another house on Boone next to the Church. He also introduced the bus ministry; video and tape ministry which served St Paul's sick and shut-ins.The Rev. Dr. Michael R. Bean was appointed to St. Paul in October 1989. Under Rev. Bean's administration a complete renovation of the Church (Phase I), which included the undercroft, was completed. The original Austin Pipe Organ built in 1921 was rebuilt and enlarged and two new church buses were also purchased. Since Phase I, a handicap ramp has been added along with the renovation of the Church Annex, the purchase of a state of the art sound system and synthesizer. In 1999, the church purchased the service station lot on the corners of Long and Jefferson.
The Faith Inspirational Choir was formed by Rev. Bean to enhance the music program of St. Paul which also includes the Women's Chorale, the Male Chorus, the Voices of Praise and the Angelic Choir. At a performance at the Columbus Convention Center, the Male Chorus' singing so inspired Maya Angelu that she requested a copy of one of their tapes.
Rev. Bean has supported numerous ministries, which reach many different communities: The Prison Ministry; The Health Concerns Committee founded by Dr. Canise Bean, DMD. It has held health screenings for women and men and has sponsored the mobile mammogram unit at St. Paul in addition to screenings after church on Sundays; Jam-N Jefferson Part Festival, held annually in the Jefferson Park, is a summer event of entertainment, food and fun. Several persons have become members of St. Paul through ministry. St. Paul's Tutorial and Enrichment Program offers tutoring in Proficiency tests and reading for youth in grades 3-6 during the school year and heritage classes and field trips during the summer.
The Church's theme " A People Ready For Ministry" fits the spirit of stewardship and caring of the St. Paul Family as it strives to reach out and serve.
"Please see the St. Paul's complete history on our website at www.stpaulcols.org "
A.M.E. Facts The AM.E. Church dates from 1787 when Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and other black worshipers withdrew from St. George's Methodist Church in Philadelphia after being pulled from their knees during worship in a gallery they did not know was closed to black Christians. In protest, " all went out of the church in a body," according to Allen, " and they were no more [plagued] with (us) in that church.". Richard Allen was a former slave. (The Black church in the African American Experience/C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya).
Richard Allen, Founder and First Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church.
First place of worship owned by Africans in America - Blacksmith shop - 1793.
First Church - Bethel AME (Known as Mother Bethel)
Two sacraments of the church - Baptism and Holy Communion