On a hill in Newtowne on Thanksgiving night, November 25, 1909, a group of dedicated and courageous believers in Jesus Christ met for the purpose of organizing a Church. This first meeting was convened at 2028 Henrico Street, now called Botetourt Street. This newly organized fellowship called the Reverend George D. Pinkney to serve as their first Pastor, and selected as their motto: “Onward and Upward for Jesus Christ.”

The first sanctuary was constructed on a sloping hill at 2026 Botetourt Street. The Rev. George D. Pinkney led the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church for three years. In June, 1912 the Reverend George D. Pinkney resigned and was succeeded by his son, the Reverend Timothy Pinkney who served the congregation for one year.

In March, 1913, the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church voted to call the Reverend Isaiah Hines as its third Pastor. Under his leadership a second sanctuary was constructed and enlarged the seating capacity from 50 to over 200 worshippers. The Reverend Isaiah Hines was known for his spirited preaching and led the Church for fifteen years. On the first Sunday of June, 1928, the Reverend Isaiah Hines resigned. During the interim following his resignation, the Deacon Board was responsible for maintaining the spiritual and business affairs of the Church.

In 1929, the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church voted to call as its fourth Pastor the Reverend Journey Archer Mosby. Reverend Mosby served as a great inspiration to the members of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church. Providing almost constant encouragement, example and guidance, there developed among the members a spirit of love and friendship. Reverend Mosby spent many hours in study and teaching, and established visitation as one of his top ministerial priorities. Rev. Mosby maintained a great interest in the development and potential of our young people, and sought to provide them with training in order to develop their leadership abilities. A strong relationship was developed and nurtured between Reverend Mosby and aspiring theological students at the School of Religion, Virginia Union University. Many sermons were preached at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church by students at the seminary.

Under his leadership the Church launched an Expansion Campaign on Thanksgiving Day, 1950 and God opened the door for the Church to purchase an existing facility on the corner of 26 th & Marshall Streets on church Hill. The Church voted to relocate, rather than attempt to expand in its present location. Brother Samuel Taylor acting as the Church’s realtor secured our new building. Rev. Mosby served the Saint Paul’s Congregation for forty years.

In 1969, Saint Paul’s Baptist Church celebrated its 12 th Annual Relocation Service, the retirement of Rev. Journey Archer Mosby and welcomed its fifth pastor, the Reverend James E. Leary on Sunday, July 20, 1969. On Sunday, November 9, 1969, the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church installed Rev. James E. Leary. Under Rev. Leary’s leadership the Church successfully completed a major renovation to the 26 th & Marshall location and many new ministries were started and seasoned groups were strengthened. After fourteen years of dedicated and faithful service, Rev. James E. Leary resigned and on August 29, 1983, the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church family gathered to share in an “Appreciation and Release Service” for Rev. Leary as he prepared to accept his new charge at the Calvary Baptist Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

From August 1983 through September 1985, our Church family was led under the prayerful and watchful hand of the Deacon Board, led by its Chairman, Joseph Walker. After a long and prayerful search, the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church voted to call on Sunday September 15, 1985, as its sixth Pastor, a Michigan native, Rev. Lance D. Watson.

On October 15, 1985, Reverend Lance D. Watson assumed the pulpit as its sixth Pastor. Excitement and growth have been watchwords since Reverend Watson’s arrival. From the beginning, it was clear that we were “Adventuring Forward with God.” Under the leadership of Reverend Lance D. Watson, we have shared corporately in the manifold blessing of God. God has created in our fellowship a spirit of love, cooperation, reconciliation and fellowship. Seasoned ministries have been revitalized and restructured and with the addition of the TLC Bible Study classes, everyone now has a chance to bond with a group to their liking, whether they are married couples, single couples, mixed groups, couples preparing for marriage, teens, children, drug addictions, abuse, and many more.

Our Worship Celebrations moved to John F. Kennedy High School a few years ago to accommodate the continuous growth of our Church family, which is well over 4,000 members to date. Our members are so excited about learning about Jesus and Rev. Lance D. Watson appeals to the young and old, on every level and brings with him the knowledge and understanding of living a righteous life through God’s Word that God has anointed him with. And if you don’t get to church at least 30 minutes early, you will not get a seat in the auditorium and will have to be seated in one of our overflow rooms to hear him preach the Gospel. Under Rev. Watson’s leadership, we have purchased 47 acres of land at Creighton Road and Laburnum Avenue of which plans are underway to build a $20 million Church community, the new Saint Paul’s Baptist Church. Excitement abounds this day as we break ground for this new facility and we give God thanks for the many blessings he as bestowed upon us under Rev. Lance D. Watson’s anointed Leadership, Guidance and Love.

There is no limit to the heights to which God can and will take us by His Amazing Grace. Remember, “... eyes have not seen, ears have not heard; it has not even entered into the hearts of men what great things the LORD has in store for those who love HIM...” We’re in that number, aren’t we?

Yes, it is with Jesus Joy that we declare ourselves, “A Church for People On the Grow ---Touching the World with Love, Communicating the Positive Power of Jesus Christ to our Generation. A Church, finding needs and meeting them; finding problems and solving them; finding hurts and healing them.” This is our legacy, our history and our faith.