The History of St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1868 - 2008
In the year 1868, five years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, St. Paul A.M.E. church began its worship services as a prayer mission in an area known as Austin's Alley, which later became Miller Alley. This area was located just a few hundred feet from the future location of the church site on Humphries Street in Southwest Atlanta . The mission operated for nearly 12 years. When the first pastor, Rev. Chrisberg was appointed, the congregation was then entered under the conference roll as St. Paul Station. The first church building was a simple straight plan edifice erected on a donated plot of land.
One of the early church's pastors was the Rev. J.S. Flipper (1900-1903) who later became a Bishop after serving as President of Morris Brown College.
Under the leadership of Rev. D.K. Knight and his growing membership, the original church building on Humphries Street was erected in 1904. Funds for the building materials were made possible by Bro. L.P. Moyer, a Pioneer businessman who operated stores on Peter Street , Hills Avenue and Greensferry Avenue . This achievement occurred during the administration of the Rev. Abraham Grant, D.D ., who served as Bishop of Georgia, and the Rev. V.L. Thomas who served as Presiding Elder. The original Board of Trustees was as follows: Bros. Washington, Morgan, A.W. Wilson, Elliot Jones, Dennis Parks, R.C. Johnson, John H. Green, Louis Varner and R.B. Ferrell.
When the building was completed, an unfortunate outbreak of confusion in the leadership resulted in the withdrawal of Rev. D.K. Knight, who carried with him a portion of the membership and succeeded in building a church known as Fairhaven . In spite of this defection a very large majority of St. Paul members remained with the original congregation
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Following the brief pastorate of Rev. Knight, 1904-05 , the church grew by leaps and bound and became a leading figure in Georgia African Methodism until the month of August, 1936. During the pastorate of Rev. G.B. Hannon , a new church site at McDaniel and Hightower Streets was purchased and a beautiful new building was completed at a cost of $21,000.
Adjacent property was acquired and an Education Department was developed in the first unit of the church under the leadership of Rev. R.H. Porter who served as pastor from 1938 to 1948. During this period new pews and a new organ were installed. Additionally, the Youth Council and the St. Cecelia Children Choir along with other organizations were added to the church.
Rev. H.I.Bearden , former member of St. Paul , succeeded Rev. Porter as pastor. Rev. Bearden who served as pastor from 1948 to 1951 would later become an esteemed Bishop of the A.M.E. Church . During his tenure a grand piano and chimes were acquired.

The old parsonage on Humphries Street was completely renovated under Rev. T.J. Davis who also organized the first Deaconess Board. Under the leadership of Rev. B.J. Nolan the church was redecorated and a move was spearheaded to purchase a new parsonage.

It was under the leadership of Rev. J.R. Hurley that the Georgia Highway Department notified the members of St. Paul that they would have to relinquish the church property at McDaniel and Hightower Streets to clear the way for a proposed new highway to be built through the area. On Sunday, February 15, 1959, Brother Richard Griggs made a surprise present of $150 to the church from him and his wife to kick off the building fund. Plans for a new church began immediately with W. L. Calloway as chairman of the building committee, Dr. R. A. Billings as chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, and Miss Evelyn Garner as Secretary.
A 2.8-acre plot of land was acquired on Pryor Road, SW from the Atlanta Housing Authority on February 17, 1959. During the building of the new church, services were held in the Slater School Auditorium. Mr. Kennon Thompson served as Chairman of the building committee after Brother Calloway's resignation due to health reasons. On May 4, 1961, Rev. A.R. Smith was assigned to St. Paul . Under his leadership, the new St. Paul was completed in December 1962 at the cost of $254,000.
Rev. L.J. Jones was appointed to the pastorate of St. Paul in 1971. During his tenure, the church's debt was greatly reduced, the Youth Department was revitalized and a very solid Youth Choir was added. In 1975 Rev. D. H. Jackson became the pastor at St. Paul . Under his leadership, the church grounds were landscaped and the church's interior and exterior were repaired and redecorated.
Rev. Preston Warren Williams was appointed in 1981. Under his leadership Outreach Programs were added. A beautiful Family Life Center was added providing much needed meeting space, offices, classrooms, music suite, spacious modern kitchen, and a large dining/recreational area. The Family Life Center is utilized not only by St. Paul 's congregation, but the rest of the community for weddings, community projects and gatherings.
In 1995, the St. Paul Collaborative Corp was established. Harold Mays as its president administered outreach programs for the community. The Atlanta Project Cluster also moved into the Family Life Center . Carl D. Towns, the Cluster Coordinator, had a mission to unite Atlanta as a community working to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.
Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Bess became the thirty-third pastor of St. Paul in 1997. Under his leadership, the church purchased a new Rodger Organ. The pulpit was modified to accommodate the organ. The Family Life Center was re-dedicated and named, Mary Jordan Life Center at the request of her son Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. A new sound system was purchased and expanded, and acoustical panels were placed in the Family Life Center . Reverend Bess has initiated many new ministries to the church's mission such as:

The Book Club, Bus Ministry, Class Leader's Ministry, Dance Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Girl Scout Troop, Intercessory Prayer Group, Media Ministry, Men's Ministry Women's Ministry, Youth Ministry and reorganized the Church School
Pastor Bess was also instrumental in the following: President Bush's faith based speech delivered at St. Paul June 17, 2002, acquired 501C-3 status, incorporated “The Pryor Road Community Redevelopment Corporation” and became Home Counselor for Fannie Mae by working online to help families purchase their homes under the faith based program. Under the 501C-3, “Pryor Road Community Redevelopment Corporation” (PRCRC) we operate 3 community faith-based initiatives in cooperation with St. Paul A.M.E. Church that focus on the community and provides needed services to children and families. Our initiatives include:
Health Outreach Ministry
A collaboration effort with Morehouse School of Medicine.
Homeless Outreach Ministry
Providing food for persons that are homeless and are in need of clothing.
New Beginnings Job Training Program
New Beginnings Training Program is a job readiness training program that bring faith-based organizations and businesses together to train, mentor and employ urban/rural low income citizens, thus moving them from dependency to self-sufficiency, providing them the opportunity to become productive citizens of the community.
During its 136 year history, St. Paul , has had 33 pastors, 22 Presiding Elders, 115 Bishops, numerous Stewards and Trustees and a growing membership. Bishop William P. DeVeaux, Sr., the current Presiding Prelate continues in the footsteps of his predecessors by giving faith and consistent leadership to the 6 th Episcopal District.

Today, St. Paul stands as a monument to the founding fathers who established it, to officers and members who through the guidance and help of God built it, and as a source of joy and pride to future generations and the A.M.E. Church as a whole. None of the accomplishments mentioned in this narrative could have happened without the countless dutiful, committed, and talented members who have gone before us, and those who currently work diligently to advance the kingdom of our Lord through worship and service to church and community. Today we salute all who have contributed their love, time, and talents to the ongoing of St. Paul A.M.E. Church.