The “First Church Built” by the members of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1903
In 1902, thirteen people under the leadership of Reverend Fred Brown met and began the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. J.R. Abney donated the land upon which our present church stands in 1903.In May 1903, our first Pastor, Reverend M.D. Mobley, preached the first sermon. The first song was “Go Preach My Gospel Said the Lord” led by Sister Mattie Clark.
Due to a fire St. Paul lost many of its records from churches archive, but we have persevered and rebuild since then. In October 1969, Reverend I.W. Hopkins became our Pastor and under his guidance, we built the education building, purchased a piano, rebuilt the sanctuary, purchased new pulpit and offering furniture, and organized the Gospel and Shining Glory Choirs. He served faithfully until his health failed him in 1999.
Reverend Bobby Derrick was our Pastor in 1999 through 2003 under his leadership the Sisterhood and Brotherhood Auxiliary was organized.
Reverend Melvin Searles Jr. served as Pastor from 2004 through 2009. He had one dedication, six baptisms and five restorations.
Reverend Stanley F. Price was installed on March 27, 2011. Reverend Price has faithfully ushered in the Holy Spirit with laughter and joy. He re instituted our weekly bible study to meet every Wednesday night. He along with his uncle, built and installed the new steeple onto our sanctuary.
Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church current pastor is Reverend Jesse Thompson. The St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church family welcomes the journey of our beloved Pastor and First Lady who is currently leading us under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The following Pastors have served as our leaders:
- Reverend M.D. Mobley
- Reverend Pinking
- Reverend W.M. Peterson
- Reverend A.B. Nickerson
- Reverend Dillon
- Reverend Bratterson
- Reverend S.M. Halsey
- Reverend C.B. Freeman
- Reverend J. Gostman
- Reverend R.B. Felton
- Reverend I.W. Hopkins
- Reverend Bobby Derrick
- Reverend Melvin Searles Jr.
- Reverend Stanley F. Price
- Rev. Dr. Rodrequez M. Dover
- Reverend Jesse Thompson (current)
We have been served by the following Deacons:
G.W. Butler James Butler John Butler
R.W. Butler Isaac Coleman Willie L. Hendley
John Hill Charles Livingston Willie Livingston
Hall Myers Frank Stephens Walter Sheppard
Antley Weaver Paul Weaver M.D. Williams
*M.D. Williams Jr. *D. Bishop
Serving on the Board of Trustee: (*Activity Trustee)
Florence Weaver Isiah Hendley * Theodore Reeder
George Butler James F. Smith JR. Trustee Louis Coleman JR.
Miliken Matthews John West Lamont Williams
In reviewing the records, let it be noted that St. Paul had always been a great Missionary Baptist Church, We are excited because this year has been very fruitful. We are glad that this house which is built upon the “rock” is still progressing. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the majestic leadership of our Sheppard, Rev. Dr. R. Dover, we hope to be motivated to tithe, study the word of God and evangelize. We hope to experience phenomenal growth and progress through the inspirational, motivational and visionary leadership of our Pastor. Through God’s abundant blessings and nurturing, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church will emerge as a leader and spiritual role model in the community and among churches worldwide.
