In an effort to grow the membership, the church was moved to Ray’s Addition, commonly known as Fox Hill. Early pastors of the 40s and 50s included Reverends Otis Smith, S. T. Jones, Williams, and Beard. Rev. H. L. Jones was called to serve as pastor in 1956. Under his leadership, the church elected their first officers and ordained their first deacon (Bro. Bailey Peterson). St. Paul joined the Hopewell Central District Association in 1962, purchased two lots and a building, made some minor renovations, and organized a youth ministry under the leadership of Rev. D. W. Portley. Other pastors of the 60s included Reverends A. Barnes, C. O. Wilson, and Ollie Jackson. During this period another lot was purchased and the church was bricked. Pastors of the early 70s included Reverends L. C. Johnson, B. McClendon, and O. B. Winkley. Another lot was purchased and more renovations were made. The membership increased significantly. More importantly, the church became
very grounded spiritually and began holding services every Sunday.
During the 80s, St. Paul was under the leadership of Reverends Keith Cullors, Alton McAllister, Harold Lynn Jones, and A. Cochran. There was moderate membership growth. Some building improvements were made and the Sunday School was strengthened. In 1988, plans were made for adding a new wing and remodeling the existing sanctuary.
From August 1991 to March 1992, St. Paul was once again without an under shepherd. After much prayer, God sent a spirit-filled, God-fearing man with extraordinary talents. In April of 1992, Rev. Vandell Smith was called to pastor the St. Paul Baptist Church. Through his anointed preaching, teaching, and evangelism, new members were became apart of the church. The spiritual growth of St. Paul was awesome under the leadership of Pastor Smith. Old ministries were revived and new ministries were established. The church purchased two vans and paid off the 1988 building improvement note. With the Pastor’s vision came the move from the hilltop to the sweet smell of lilies in the valley.
The St. Paul Church was relocated to 2100 S. High Street in 2000. God blessed this move with the donation of two lots on the corner of Betty and High Streets by Ms. Mary Brent. The church has undergone several rounds of improvement and is still financially sound. The church underwent a major renovation and purchased adjacent school property between 2008 and 2010 adding approximately 4 more acres . We average 250+ members with a fully functioning Deacon board of nine brothers. And God is not through with us yet! Pastor Smith’s Vision for the church was contained in the following statement:
"To be completely stimulated, saturated, and
separated to the ministry of restoration driven by
one motive, to restore unto God that which has been
stolen by Satan, darkness, ignorance, oppression,
and any other form of evil."
Under Pastor Smith’s leadership, the church established an identity based on sound doctrinal principles. Our primary ministry is one of “restoration” as related to Psalm 51. The St. Paul Church operates on the diamond principle, which says “she influences/impacts everyone she comes in contact with, but nothing can deter her purpose”. At the top of the diamond is the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). In the middle of the diamond are her 12 ministerial groups, a continuum, in the process of salvation. At the bottom of the diamond is the functioning church in restoration making application of her teachings in the world.
On July 3rd, 2016, Rev. Vandell Smith retired from St. Paul Baptist Church as Pastor.
St. Paul Baptist Church prayed and listened to God for a pastor who would lead us, teach us, pray with us, help us come together as a team, and give us words from heaven. We asked for a pastor after God's on heart. On December 12th, the church voted Rev. Damien L. Reese Sr as the newly elected pastor of St. As of December 25, 2016 Rev. Damien Reese Sr. became Pastor-Elect and is currently serving and awaiting installation.
