In the spring of 1865, Rev. Joseph
Samuel (Par Sam) Armstead and about ninety black members left First Church
to form the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. A one
room church was soon constructed that also served as the first black school
in Shreveport. When the Mississippi Mission Conference was formed
on December 25, 1865, St. Paul was a part of the new Conference.
St. Paul is the oldest predominantly black church in the city of Shreveport.
Rev. Armstead was still leading
the church when St. Paul’s second church was built in 1869-71 on the 600
block of Caddo Street. That church had a bell tower that would signal
noon for the city of Shreveport. Mrs. Alice Moss was known as the
“Mother of the Church” at that time. In 1903, the city legalized
the “Red Light District” in the area where the church was located.
The current structure was built
on the corner of Pierre Avenue and Looney Street from 1924 to 1926.
The church was led by Rev. J.A. Williams and made possible by donations
from faithful lay persons like Benjamin Stephens. The consecration
and dedication service was held on September 26, 1926.
A parsonage was purchased and
the church debt paid off under the leadership of Rev. J.D. David (1947-52).
In 1967, the church was completely
renovated at a cost of about $100,000. The church was dedicated on
December 31, 1967 under the leadership of Rev. Abraham E. Davis.
While Rev. Nathan Daniels, Jr.
was pastor (1978-90), a Baldwin organ was installed (1985), an outdoor
church sign was donated to the church in memory of Mrs. Mable Lewis Walker
(1986), and the church nursery was renovated in memory of Mavis Kay Blake
(1986). In the 1990s, windows were donated to the church by Dr. Selcy
S. Collins and by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dixon. The sound system for the
church was renovated by Rev. Kenneth Fisher. |
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