6 OHIO STATE JOURNAL. Columbus       Sat., Jan. 15, 1955
t. Paul
4 Mr\ !
The most reliable data fixes the year 1823 for the founding of Bethel
Church in Lazelle Alley, which is now known as St. Paul's A.M.E. Church.
It was originally on the east side of Lazelle Alley, just north of Spring St.,
which at that time was the bed of a large run, or creek. The charter members
were persons who came from the Town St. M.E. Church.
The congregation worshipped in the little log cabin for seven years.
[ In the year 1830, outgrowing the log cabin, a site, 25x50 feet on the south
| side of Long St. (71 E. Long St.) on which was a frame building, was purchased.
As a result of the Civil War, a large influx of colored people from
Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina taxed the
r capacity of the little church. Without a dollar in the treasury, but with unlimited faith in themselves and in God, the congregation decided to build a
larger church. William Jones, a local preacher and a member of the church,
contacted Mrs. Henry Stanbery who owned the lot where they desired to
build, told her of the congregation's needs, and induced her to sell the lot
to th'Jfcongregstion ^on time payments for $3000. The church was erected
here *a cost of*$ 14,000. This chusch was !ater sold to Shiloh Baptist Church
congregation.
In 1870 a larger church was erected on the north side of E. Long St.,
|^hich is a part of the new Gty Parking Garage now in the process of erec-
n. In this building, many mo-ements for the good of the colored popula
^ s*f thn first school for the education^
the colored youths of the city was begun in this
pastor, was the first teacher. The first colored gradua
of the city were members of St. Paul A.M.E. Church,
church went five of its pastors to the highest place in
tion—election to the Bishopric. These Bishops were J
A. Shorter, Benjamin W. Arnett, Isaac N. Ross, and Jos
Along about 1900, due to the fact that the tren
lation was eastward for homes, it was evident a chc
be advisable. In 1905, under the pastorate of Rev. R.
which the present church now stands, at 639 E. Long
for $6000, and the erection of the present church e
completed and dedicated in December, 1906. The bu
with sandstone trim, and is one of the city's beautiful
In March, 1920, a new pipe organ was installe
In the summer of 1922 the Chamber of Commerce
the church having the largest attendance, in proport
St. Paul's won the flag. Throughout the years its nv
the forefront^n matters of civic and spiritual life in t
ent membership is 1400.    ^^^^^^^^^^^H
The present pastor is Rev. J. D. Howell, who r«
the parsonage at 86 Miami Av&^Ba&tac Howe11 <**»<
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