Near West Columbia in Lexington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
1. Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
Tradition holds that congregants of St. Paul Church organized in the 1870s and originally worshipped under a brush arbor. By 1884 members had built a church approx. 2 mi. E, near the Congaree River. They purchased that 1/2-acre lot for $3.00 from Lavina Anderson, whose husband James was one of St. Paul's stewards.
St. Paul was founded as a Methodist congregation and later joined the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. In 1962 members acquired the current site from Samuel Jackson for a new church building. They met here several years before it was completed in the 1970s. In the 1980s the church adopted the name "Greater St. Paul."
Erected 2022 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by the Congregation of Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. (Marker Number 32-51.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the South Carolina Historical Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 33° 52.796′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Greater Columbia Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Herman Geiger (approx. 2½ miles away); In Memory of Emily Geiger (approx. 2½ miles away); Camp Moore (approx. 3½ miles away); Congaree Fort (approx. 4.1 miles away); Congaree Creek Earthworks (approx. 4.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Gaston (approx.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
2. Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Savany Hunt (was approx. 2.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
3. Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
4. Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 55 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
