In 1950, the First Methodist
Church congregation in Monroe saw the need for a new congregation in north
Monroe. In 1952, 204 founding members formed the Northside Methodist
Church. The first service was held at the Georgia Tucker Elementary
School on June 15, 1952. On September 14, 1952, Dr. Ben Oliphant
started holding services at the Lexington Elementary School. Four
days later, the 204 charter members changed the name of the congregation
to St. Paul’s.
The Monroe Board of Missions
and the First Church bought property at the corner of Orell Place and Lexington
Avenue for the new congregation. A parsonage was constructed at 1626
Milton Street. The first church building was completed in the fall
of 1953. St. Paul’s Day School was a vital part of increasing the
membership to over 600 by the end of the decade.
New facilities were completed
in May 1969. After the current sanctuary was built and held its first
service on May 11, 1969, the old sanctuary was used as a fellowship hall.
The facilities contained kitchens, social areas, restrooms, twenty-two
classrooms, a nursery, a library, offices, and a game room.
For the 25th anniversary in
1977, a Carillon Bell System was installed. In the 1980s, the kitchen
and older section of the church were remodeled. A new parsonage was
acquired on Morgan Street, and the associate pastor resided in the Milton
Street home. When the facilities were renovated in 1999, a new office
wing,, choir room, and pipe organ were added. The chapel is known
as the Grayson-Godfrey Chapel. |
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