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Dr. Cubert L Smith The four bronze doors at the entrance of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church are the artistic contributions of Dr. Cubert L Smith, Former Associate Professor of Art at West Virginia State University. Dr. Smith inspired by the motif of the imported stained glass windows from Old and New Testament Bible figures, studied, worked and traveled, then designed sculpted and cast in heavy bronze, eight plaques that were mounted on four doors. The official dedication of the doors was May 22, 1977.
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The first church home was constructed and completed 1872 on what is now Pennsylvania Avenue, two and one-half blocks south of Main Street.
In 1884, ground was purchased for the second building which is presently located on the southwest corner of Eighth Avenue and B Street. This building structure was dedicated to service in 1885.
The third structure, this present edifice, was constructed in 1921 at a cost of $50,000. Included were a basement above ground, auditorium, and balcony. The first services were held in the basement on May 6, 1923. This edifice was designed and supervised by the eminent pastor, Reverend J. Thomas Reid. The building was completed and dedicated during Christmas week of 1925.
Church Theme:
"St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through
Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship, Stewardship, and Fellowship."
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, through its 136 years of existence in rendering service to God and humanity, can be proud of having had the praiseworthy services of twenty-two faithful and efficient pastors. The Reverend Michael A. Poke, Sr. Our twenty-second and present pastor, has been with us since June 10, 2001.
Brother
George Brown, Trustee and Chief Usher.
In 2003 another miracle happen on B Street. On July 30th at 6:30 p.m. we had a ground breaking ceremony. A two story addition will be added on to the north side of our present facility. This will give us new classrooms, rooms for meetings, dining room, kitchen, library and many other special rooms. The choir stand, pulpit, and baptismal areas in the chancel section will also undergo changes. The basement area will be sectioned into classrooms and a nursery. We also have a newspaper, Visions that is distributed quarterly. One of God’s promises to us is from Proverb 3:6.
"In everything you do, put God first and He will crown your efforts with success."
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church strives to fulfill the mission directed by St. Paul., one of the greatest disciples. He taught that we worship through our song, our prayer and meditation. We witness through our daily deeds. And we serve by being disciples of Christ.
We reap the benefits of their foresight, perseverance, faith, and industriousness. This Web Site marks another triumph of The Almighty in the establishment of a firm foundation for the teachings of JESUS; specifically, the salvation of humanity.
To remind us of our responsibility in upholding these religious principles entrusted to us by our revered church forebearers, let us recall the words of James Weldon Johnson on the Fiftieth anniversary of the Signing of the Emancipation Proclamation:
'... stand erect and without fear,
And for our foes let this suffice -
We've bought a rightful sonship here,
And we have more than paid the price.
Courage! Look out, beyond, and see
The far herizon's beckoning span!
Faith in your God-known destiny!
We are a part of some great plan."
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, in this its
second century, "believes God will not let its
efforts come to naught."