St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church

St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. Apalachicola Black History Trail. African American churches have stood on this spot for more than 150 years, playing a vital role in the spiritual, educational, and economic growth of the community. , , On April 16, 1866, the Stewards of the Methodist Episcopal Church purchased lots 1 and 2 on block 178 in the City of Apalachicola for the city's first Black church. At that time the Steward Board consisted of the following men: Emanuel Smith, Chairman, John Webster, James Roberts, and Thomas Davis. Shortly after the purchase of land to establish a church for Blacks, a small wooden building was erected on the site. This building served the few members as their place of worship for 74 years. The church also served as a schoolhouse for Black children in the community. , , Newspaper reports suggest a local church for African Americans in Apalachicola existed as far back as 1858. The first services were held in a nearby blacksmith's shop. , , The African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was founded by Richard Allen and Abasalom Jones in 1816, was the first organization owned and operated by Blacks. According to the Apalachicola church records, the African Methodist Episcopal Church organization moved into Florida shortly after the end of the Civil War. At that time, the Methodist Episcopal Church for Colored people in Apalachicola connected with the African Methodist Episcopal Church organization and the name of the Church was changed to St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church around 1870. , , In 1892, the congregation took out a $890 loan from Cypress Lumber Company to construct a larger wooden building. This agreement was signed by the Building Committee Chairman, Rev. T. S. Kilby and Secretary, Rev. E. Walton. The Trustees of the Church at the time were: Marvin Roberts, W. G. B. Kinlaw, Prince Venerable, Sam Lane, Sr., Rev. Ellis Ray, George Lot, Ben Baxter, and Charlie Smith. By 1913, construction of the current Gothic Revival brick began and by 1921 it was completed. The church featured stained-glass windows made in Germany. The present church has been in service to the community since 1921. A thriving African American community surrounded the church at that time, including a Masonic Lodge on 6th Street and numerous grocery stores and oyster houses. The church suffered serious damage from fires in 1951 and 1986, but the community always came together to fund repairs. St. Paul AME stands today the result of conscientious planning and cooperation of the Black community that worked to put vision into reality. , , As evidenced by the 1937 West Florida Conference proceedings led by Kev. K.A. Grant, Apalachicola enjoyed a large Black population whose members were significant contributors to the economic, social and educational pursuits of the town's Black hill community. , Read more about the people and places of Apalachicola's Black History Trail by scanning the QR code above or by visiting cilyotapalachicola.com