[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E68-E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   GREATER SAINT PAUL AFRICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 1996

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my 
colleagues of an important benchmark for a religious lighthouse in the 
Metropolitan Dade County community. April 14, 1996 will mark Greater 
Saint Paul African Episcopal Church's centennial anniversary. It is 
with great pleasure that I recognize and thank the congregation for 
their vision and years of continual service to the Miami community.
  I urge Members to read the church history I am inserting into the 
Record.

              Greater Saint Paul African Episcopal Church

                     (By Mrs. Esther M. Armbrister)

       During the 1880's the first Negro settlers arrived in small 
     numbers from the Bahama Islands by way of Key West, Florida. 
     Between 1885 and 1889 Negroes from West and North Florida 
     began to migrate to Coconut Grove, which was called at the 
     time the last frontier to be settled. One of those settlers 
     was the late Jeremiah A. Butler, who was to be the minister 
     founder and organizer of the first African Methodist 
     Episcopal Church in Dade County, Saint Paul AME Church.
       The late Rev. Samuel Sampson was the founder of the first 
     church for ``colored people'' in Coconut Grove, St. Agnes 
     Baptist Church. At that time blacks and whites worshipped 
     together at Union Chapel. As one elderly pioneer related the 
     story, the ``colored folks'' were not use to the type of 
     quiet service being held, and whites could not understand the 
     blacks' reactions of shouting, clapping of hands and the 
     stumping/stamping of feet. After a gift of property on Thomas 
     Avenue from Count Jean Hodonville, a young French man, to 
     Rev. Sampson and the black pioneers, St. Agnes was built in 
     1895, and thus, henceforth, was the beginning.
       In the early part of 1896 Rev. Butler and twelve members 
     withdrew from the newly organized St. Agnes, and founded and 
     organized Saint Paul AME Church on Evangelist Street. 
     Evangelist Street was purchased, and on November 21, 1896 
     when it was recorded. A small church was built at that time 
     to accommodate a small membership. Trustee whose names 
     appeared on the abstract title were J.H. Butler, J.P. 
     Brookins, Walter Burrows. In 1897 the names of Murray 
     Burrows, J.W. Gibson, Williams Counts, Theodore Blackshear, 
     D.C. Williams and Hiram McLeod were added. At that time the 
     population of Coconut Grove was less than 300.
       By the year 1900 it was decided there were enough 
     ``colored'' children to warrant a school, and henceforth the 
     first school in Dade County was held at the St. Paul AME 
     Church. The school, with only twelve children, was taught by 
     the late Dr. John Davis.
       In the year 1902 the first choir, the Mozart Choir, was 
     organized with the late J.P. Brookins as president and choir 
     director. Since the membership was so small the larger 
     children were placed in the choir to replace the adults when 
     death or some other reasons occurred. In 1910 the first 
     cornerstone was laid by the pastor at that time, the late 
     Reverend Thomas Henry. Two more men were added to the Steward 
     Board, which had been organized earlier, consisting of the 
     men of the church. Men also comprised the trustee board and 
     the ushers.
       In 1914 the late Mrs. Agnes Armbrister organized 
     Armbrister's Quartet, which was comprised of her four oldest 
     children. She also organized other singing groups.
       In 1915 the first Stewardess Board was organized with the 
     late Mesdames Aramintha W. Roberts, Mary Sands, Agnes 
     Armbrister, McCleod, Elsa Gibson and Estella Counts as 
     members. Their first project was to purchase individual 
     communion glasses. Communion bread was made by the late Mrs. 
     Sands and Mrs. McCleod.
       In 1915 the parsonage was built. Property was purchased at 
     3352 Charles Avenue, and the house which presently stands was 
     used.
       In early 1920's people were still migrating from other 
     parts of Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
       During the 1926 hurricane quite a bit of damage was done to 
     the church. A steeple was completely damaged. In the same 
     year an organ was purchased.
       In 1932 under the administration of the late Rev. M.P. 
     Chappelle a new church was built to facilitate a growing 
     membership. Bro. A.G. Lattimore gave the first $200 toward 
     the purchase of the property on the present site. The church 
     was built with all of the membership working as one to 
     accomplish their dream.
       Wood and other materials were salvaged from the church on 
     the hill, and used in the construction of the new church. The 
     salvaged materials were guarded by Mrs. Aramintha W. Roberts 
     and her children.
       In 1932 Rev. Chappelle organized the Supreme Usher's Board 
     (#2 Usher Board). The White Rose Usher Board (#1 Usher Board) 
     had been organized between 1918 and 1920. Rev. Chappelle also 
     organized the Gospel Choir (Choir #2).
     
[[Page E69]]

       In 1943 the existing parsonage was built under the 
     pastorate of the late Rev. F.A. Roundtree.
       In 1945 the late Rev. R.A. Jackson, the pastor, organized 
     the first Women's Day below the Mason Dixie Line, which was 
     held in the present church. The last Mrs. Myrtle McCleod 
     Davis served as Chairperson.
       In 1947 Rev. I.D. Hinson, pastor at that time, started 
     construction of the Educational Building, now known as the 
     Annex. Improvements were made by Rev. R.E. Lamb and the late 
     Rev. J.A. Robertsl, and it was completed by the Rev. T.C. 
     Kelley. Rev. Kelley also organized the Male Chorus, the Busy 
     Bee Club and the Willing Workers.
       The previous mortgage had been burned by the late Rev. A.F. 
     Little.
       Under the pastorate of the late Rev. T.E. Wright the name 
     of the church was changed to Greater Saint Paul AME Church. 
     He saw a need to serve the community of Coconut Grove with a 
     Day Care Center, which accommodated at least 45 working 
     mothers. Necessary repairs were made to the church and the 
     annex during his administration. He had an undying loyalty to 
     the Youth Church which he referred to as the ``church of 
     tomorrow''. Under the leadership of Mesdames Elizabeth Espy, 
     Ruth Seal Bullard, Hattie Johnson, Carlee Daniels, Esther M. 
     Ambrister and Cliffonia Ross, the Junior Church was one of 
     the best in the South Florida Conference.
       The Missionary Choir was organized with Mrs. Catherine 
     Morgan as the directress, and the late Mrs. Miriam Sands 
     Massey as the pianist. Mrs. Massey served the church well for 
     38 years, her sister the late Ms. Ernestine Sands, served the 
     church for 12 years, and their father, the late Nathan Sands, 
     served as director of the Mozart Choir for 45 years. The 
     service of the Sands family was unlimited.
       From 1972 and during the pastorate of Rev. F.A. Allen, 
     major renovations and repairs were made to the exterior and 
     interior of the church and the annex. He organized the F.A. 
     Allen Gospel Choir and the Singing Angels, our youth choir. 
     In 1972 Hauley Wiggins Choir was organized, consisting of the 
     young adults of the church.
       According to church records four ministers were ordained 
     into the ministry and now pastor their own churches. Under 
     Rev. Wright's pastorate, Rev. John Bodison was ordained, 
     along with Rev. Theodore Barnett and Rev. Eugene Wilson. Rev. 
     Michael Bouie was ordained under the pastorate of Rev. Allen.
       During the Annual Conference of 1984 Rev. O.W. Burroughs 
     was appointed as pastor, and interestingly enough he had been 
     ordained in St. Paul 1949, having come from another district, 
     Rev. Burroughs served the church well, liquidating the church 
     of debt before his untimely demise in 1987. Regrettably he 
     was unable to physically witness the burning of the mortgage, 
     however, spiritually his presence was felt.
       During the annual conference Rev. James H. Davis was given 
     the charge to shepherd the flock of St. Paul, to uplift their 
     morale and give them insight into the future of a new Greater 
     Saint Paul. The church took on a new outlook with a vision in 
     mind, which was to build a new edifice, one of which we can 
     be proud. Property was purchased on Thomas Avenue across the 
     street, which is now being used for parking. Property was 
     purchased on Williams Avenue, behind the church, which holds 
     a set of duplexes, which are self supportive.
       The assistant pastor, Rev. Phillip Cooper, having been 
     inherited from the Allen administration, is working 
     diligently alongside our pastor. He serves the church 
     spiritually, musically, educationally and financially. Rev. 
     Cooper is quite supportive of the church's programs.
       Greater Saint Paul AW Church witnessed the building of a 
     new church, and will celebrate its centennial anniversary and 
     dedication on April 14, 1996.

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