Church History

The History of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church

Established: February 1888

Saint Paull Baptist Church was first organized as a mission in a small servants' quarter on Chalmers Street, downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Previously, they had to sit in the balconies or certain sections in the white church, separated from the congregation. The first Pastor and Founder was Rev. Walter Williams. On February 28, 1888, a certificate of incorporation was issued and recored in the R.M.C. Office of Charleston County. The mission then became recognized as a church. The church membership grew rapidly. The pastor, officers, and members began to save their money to build a larger edifice.

Land was found at at the corner of Rutledge Avenue and Huger Street. The land was purchased from Mrs. W.H. Cradle on April 5, 1892 for the sum of $356.35. The deed was signed br Mr. C.M. Tresholm and noterized by Mrs. R.C. Rhett. When the new church was first built, a small parsonage was constructed in the back yard for the Pastor's living quarters.

Past Pastors of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church

Many pastors have been a part of the history of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Churchand its successes following the guidance of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some have planted seeds, some have watered, some have cultivated, but all have worked for the building up of God's Kingdom. We are here today standing on the shoulders of those who have gone on before us. Each pastor has had a special hand in St. Paul's survival. St. Paul is like the Charleston palm tree. It has weathered many storms, and it is "Still Standing On The Promises Of God."

Our Former Pastors:

Rev. Walter Williams                       Rev. S.S. Youngblood

Rev. R.F. Gibson                             Rev. George Brown

Rev. W.G. Feaster                           Rev. J. Milligan

Rev. R.H. Edmond                           Rev. J.A. Williams

Rev. George Fields                          Rev. L.L. Sanders

Rev. W. Davenport                           Rev. G. Thomas

Rev. William J. Tindal                       

                      Rev. Larry W. Whaley, Current Pastor