ST. PAUL A. M. E. CHURCH HISTORY

Lake Charles, Louisiana

The Historical Statement

 St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded on April 24, 1893, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, approximately one hundred years after the land was purchased for Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by its founder and first Bishop, Rt. Rev. Richard Allen, a former slave who purchased his freedom. Bethel was the first of many A.M.E. churches that would follow. It would be under the administration of Right Reverend Benjamin F. Lee, Bishop, the Reverend J. H. Harper, Presiding Elder, and Reverend J. K. Smith, Pastor (all with the Eighth Episcopal District) would be the first of many leaders who would prayerfully guide the start of the charge in Lake Charles, which we know it as today as St. Paul.

The history of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, as it is lovingly called, is affectionately dedicated to the memories of the Love and Service of those who have gone to be with the Lord. The church was first located at 226 Bank Street. However, through the years, due to various circumstances, church services were held at three (3) other locations, including the present site at 1104 Jackson Street.

How the name St. Paul was chosen is unknown. But, we know the story of Apostle Paul and how he became a champion for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; therefore, we are honored to have our church named after such a spiritual leader of the “Way”. It is evident that the forefathers of our beloved A.M.E. Church had a spiritual vision. And the eyes of their hearts were enlightened through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit that a church be established in Lake Charles, Louisiana. And the name would be St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. God’s grace and faithfulness has kept us together.

 Recording Church Historian: Rev. Dr. Cynthia B. Simpson

Consultant: Mrs. Evelyn Thomas

4/2020

St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church called by God to do a mighty work for his kingdom was organized April 24, 1893. St. Paul was called to do a work with vision to build a ministry after God’s own Heart. Therefore, we reach out in our community and spread abroad, winning souls to Christ, preaching and witnessing the good news of Jesus saving grace.

We take pride in sharing chronological lists of past and present leaders of St. Paul, that being Bishops, Presiding Elders, Pastors, and other Clergy. A more comprehensive account of our great history is forthcoming in culmination with our 127th year anniversary celebration this year. With the help of the Lord...the above have served, lead, and guided us with sound doctrine, wisdom, power, and love.

Since 1893, God has kept our beloved St. Paul. He has protected us, strengthen us, and healed us when we were broken. The church has been blessed mightily, and through his grace and mercy, he has freed us mentally and spiritually, and he has renewed, restored, and rewarded us with his love. To God be the glory for the great things he has done and may we continue to do his bidding!

In March of 2020, COVID-19, a deadly pandemic, infiltrated the entire world. This forced the parishioners to be socially distant, and to not gather in person. This would not stop the work of St. Paul, as we met first through the use of phone conference. Later, we would upgrade to meeting virtually. The tenacity to worship God and keep up with one another would be through the usage of Zoom & this website. To add to the separation of in-person worship, the southwestern part of Louisiana, especially Lake Charles, was met with two category-four hurricanes. The first was Hurricane Laura in August of 2020, immediately followed by Hurricane Delta in October of 2020. The church edifice sustained major damages, thus causing the need for virtual worship to continue. Little by little, the church rebuilt & restored the roof, the fellowship hall, and ultimately the sanctuary. From January 2023 until May of 2024, members of St. Paul would gather twice a month at a local hall on Opelousas St. With the leadership of Bro. Donald Broussard, the trustee pro-tempe, Dr. Robert Selders, the steward pro-tempe, and all the rest of the officers who gave substantial donations, St. Paul would restore its fellowship hall and have it conducive for face-to-face worship. Life-long member, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Cahee-Simpson would refer to it as “St. Paul Worship Center”.

The following are lists of St. Paul A.M.E. Church past and present Bishops, Presiding Elders, Pastors, and other Clergy:

BISHOPS OF ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Dates of Service Names in Order

1893 – 1896 Benjamin F. Lee

1886 - 1900 Josiah H. Armstrong

1900 (6 months) Morris M. Moore

1900 – 1904 (3 1/2 yrs) Evans Tryee

1904 - 1908 Moses B. Salter

1908 - 1910 Edward Lampton

1910 - 1912 Henry M. Turner

1912 - 1916 James M. Connor

1916 - 1920 William W. Heard

1920 - 1921 Evans Tyree

1921 - 1924 William A. Fountain, Sr.

1924 - 1928 Archibald J. Carey

1928 - 1936 Reverly C. Random

1936 - 1948 Sherman L. Greene

1948 - 1952 Monroe H. Davis

1952 (9 months) Carey A. Gibbs

1952 - 1956 Howard T. Primm

1956 - 1957 Richard Wright, Jr.

1957 - 1962 Fredrick F. Jordan

1962 - 1964 David H. Sims

1964 - 1968 William F. Ball

1968 - 1976 Isaiah H. Bonner

1976 - 1984 Frank C. Cummings

1984 - 1992 Donald G. K. Ming

1992 - 1996 Robert Thomas, Jr.

1996 - 2000 Richard Allen Chappelle

2000 - 2008 Cornal G. Henning

2008 - 2012 Carolyn T. Guidry

2012 - 2021 Julius H. McAllister, Sr

2021 - 2024 Stafford J. N. Wicker

2024 - Erika D. Crawford

PASTORS OF ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH

(Lake Charles, LA)

Date of Service Reverend Names in Order

1893 - J. H. Smith

1908 - W. E. Hall

1921 – 1928 I. Mills

1928 – 1936 B. A. Beachman

1936 – 1948 W. B. Wills

1952 B. A. Beachman

1952 - 1957 R. E. Mims

1957 - 1962 William Leake

1962 - 1970 Newel N. Easley

1970 – 2004 Jesse R. Adams, Sr.

2004 - 2006 Harrison Wilson

2006 - 2008 Lionel Green

2008 - 2012 James Keller

2012 - 2019 Kecia A. Lewis

2019 - Allen J. Williams, Jr.

OTHER CLERGY OF ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH

Licentiates

-Past and Present-

1994 Cynthia B. Simpson

1995 Cynthia M. Jones

2012 Alvin J. Rideaux

2012 Percy Rideaux

2012 Vanessa A. Washington (D)

ASSOCIATES OF ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH

Rev. Cynthia B. Simpson, Supernumerary

Rev. Valencia Jackson, Itinerant Elder

Rev. Cynthia M. Jones, Superannuated

Rev. Alvin J. Rideaux, Itinerant Elder