Formally incorporated; purchased 2 ½ acres of property on Reed Street (1873)
Rev. L.T. Smith became pastor (Smith also helped organize Royal Baptist Church, also in Anderson)
New church and first parsonage constructed
Pastors:
Rev. J. W. Scott (1890)
Rev. E. Terrell (1890)
Rev. Emanual V. Gassoway (1890-1896)
Rev. J.C. Jackson (1896-1901)
Church rebuilt – Section known as the annex; now the main sanctuary (1903)
Morris College in Sumter, SC was founded; born out of the 1906 meeting of the South Carolina Baptist
Educational and Missionary Convention held at St. Paul. (1908)
Wilson Calvary Baptist Church born out of St. Paul’s Sunday School fellowship (1913)
Pastors:
Rev. A.R. Robinson (1901-1908)
Rev. Henry Morris Moore (1908-1918)
Rev. S.W. Batchelor (1918-1920)
Current parsonage built (1923-1924)
2 rooms added and a furnace installed in the church (1926-1935)
$25,000 loan approved for major renovations of the church, which was completed that year (1953).The Junior Church was also organized this year.
Miss Z. Vermelle Williams became organist (1943) until 2015.
Pastors:
Rev. O.S.P. Thompson (1920-1922)
Rev. A.W. Brown (1922-1923)
Rev. C.D. Hubert (1924)
Rev. Stephen Calhoun “Dynamo” Campbell (1924-1942)
Rev. Jethro Toomer (1943-1956)
Rev. Edward N. Bates (1956-1959)
St. Paul Gospeliers organized by Bettye W. Boseman and Anthony Fortson.
Gas heat installed in the church.
Church celebrated 100th anniversary. (1965)
A bus was purchased, as well as several parcels of land, included the Perry School Building.
The orchestra was organized, yearly booklet introduced, food bank was established, and Wellness Committee organized.
Pastors:
Reverend Dr. James O. Rich (1960-2007)
1976 – 1995
New pews purchased and installed in memory of former and present members.
The St. Paul Educational & Community Center was built. Dedication held Nov. 28 – Dec. 10, 1977.
College Day Program organized by the YWAs.
Women were elected to the Board of Trustees for the first time in St. Paul’s history.
The Children’s Church was organized
2001 – Present Day
Complete church renovations began – stain glass windows, bathrooms added near the foyer, office spaces created.
Rev. Rich retires after 47 years of service. (2007)
Renovations to the Educational & Community Center completed – new roof, kitchen, and gym floor. (2008)
St. Paul Educational Center renamed Dr. James O. Rich Educational Center. (2009)
Perry School Project (demolition of the school and parking lot created) completed. (2015)
Pastors:
Reverend Gene Williams (2007-2025)