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The History of St. Paul’s Baptist Church

And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive. Matthew: 21:22

Prayer has been the rock, which has sustained St. Paul’s over the years.

1887 – present

St. Paul’s Baptist Church was organized under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit by five visionary, independent Christian believers who were convinced that the Almighty in the spirit of Christ wanted them to have their own place of worship, study, and divine encounter. So, it happened that on January 29, 1887, the first meeting of the Baptist Colored Mission in West Chester was held at 307 East Market Street led by Reverend H. B. Price. The church evolved through a number of name changes and institutional progressions to become the St. Paul’s Baptist Church of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

St. Paul’s is the oldest Baptist Church of African American heritage in the area and is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention and the American Baptist Churches, USA.

From 1887 – today…Over One Hundred and Twenty Nine Years. St. Paul’s Baptist Church has emerged from that first worship service in January 1887 under the banner of “Baptist Colored Mission” to “The Angel Visit Baptist Mission” to St. Paul’s Baptist Church.

Faith and grace has brought St. Paul’s from a congregation of five dedicated souls to a membership today that exceeds six hundred. Sacrifice and God’s favor has brought St. Paul’s from a $500.00 building to a multi-million dollar complex on Hagerty Boulevard. To the Glory of God!

St. Paul’s has stood as a living testimony to God’s faithfulness to His children and the teachings of Christ. St. Paul’s has served as an anchor for many souls in times of social injustice, human need, economic depression, warfare, uncertainty, and perplexity.

Today, St. Paul’s is actively engaged in seeking to develop and implement a program and plan of action for the church in the 21st century. Under the theme “Every Member In Study and Ministry”, it is our aim to assist individuals to grow in Christ and to become better equipped to practice and share the teachings and principles of Jesus.

Our aim is to become an efficient and effective teaching church as we equip our members and ministries to do the work of Christ in a spirit of humility and Christian fellowship – Build Disciples!

Pastors of St. Paul’s

1887 – 1891 Reverend Asbury Smallwood

1892- 1893 Reverend James Sumber (Interim)

1893 – 1916 Reverend John C. King

1916 – 1931 Reverend Daniel B. Howard

1932 – 1963 Reverend James C. Clark

1966 – 1970 Reverend Amos C. Brown

1970 – 1977 Reverend Charles E. Booth

1978 – 1982 Reverend Harvey L. Kelly

1982 – 1983 Reverend William Robinson (Interim)

1983 – 1994 Reverend Earl D. Trent Jr.

1995 – 1996 Reverend Vernon M. Herron (Interim)