Our History
Learn more about how St. Paul Baptist Church began.
Rev. St. James Williams (founder) and Sister Katie Lewis Williams (wife)
Pastor of St. Paul from 1925 – 1931, 1933 – 1943
The Rev. St. James Williams, a licensed preacher, came to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1918 from Birmingham, Alabama. He joined with four other men to form a Negro Baptist Fellowship in Northampton Heights within walking distance of their homes.
In 1920, Rev. Williams oversaw the formation of a small group of worshippers who held services in the name of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Rev. F.P. Diggs pastored the church from 1921 until 1923. From 1920-1924 services were held in storefronts and temporary locations at Second and Carbon Streets, the 1500 block of East Third Street, and at Second and Bessemer Streets. Rev. St. James Williams was ordained into the ministry and was selected to pastor the church.
The new structure, a frame building with outside facilities and no running water was completed in September 1926.
In May of 1925, the church purchased a parcel of land at Second and Carbon Streets to build a permanent place of worship. In July 1925, a groundbreaking service was held for the new church building in Northampton Heights. The name of St. Paul Baptist Church was established at this service. The text of the sermon at this service was “The People Had A Mind to Work.”
Charter members of St. Paul Baptist Church were the Rev. St. James and Katie Williams, Thomas and Rebecca Glass, Lloyd B. Glass, Frances Potillo (Gunn), Joseph and Hattie Wilson, Samuel Lewis, James W. and Georgia Williams, George and Sarah Washington, James Ross Washington and Mr. and Mrs. Casey.
The new structure, a frame building with outside facilities and no running water was completed in September 1926. Water was secured from next door at the home of Rev. and Mrs. James Williams. The church had a wooden floor, homemade benches, and a potbelly stove in the middle of the floor. It seated approximately 100 people.
Sister Nora Kent (Kannon) was the first candidate accepted for baptism in the new church building. The baptism took place in Saucon Creek as did subsequent baptisms. Membership began to grow.
Rev. St. James Williams had a great desire to build and unite the Bethlehem community in Christian love and build a church for the future generations. He worked hard serving the church, visiting not only his members and the sick but the community as well. He was remembered traveling the community wearing his black felt hat. He often made house calls, sang, prayed, and collected money on Saturdays for the church. He was a highly respected man. His theme was “Build your hope on things eternal and hold to God’s unchanging hand.”
The first Missionary Club was formed in 1924. First Lady, Katie Williams, also the first Mother of the church, was named president. The first Sunday School was formed in the mid 1920’s with Trustee Ross Washington as its superintendent. The ushers were organized in 1926. The Woman’s Club bought the first gift for St. Paul, a rug runner to be put on the wooden floor. The Willing Workers were formed in 1934 with Sis. Frances Gunn as President. The church membership grew stronger.
The youth were also involved in various activities during this time. They were in choirs, the Sunday School, and a Boy Scout Program under the leadership of Mr. Wilcox, Charlie Richardson, William Brown, Isaiah Smith, and Bert Tarboro. The picnics in Central Park were fondly remembered and May Day programs with other churches in the community were held with cake and ice cream following the programs.
Music has played a large part in the church’s history. In the 1930’s and 1940’s there were monthly Ministerial Alliance Services with visiting choirs and programs with instrumental music, classics and just good singing that would rock the foundation of the church. Sis. Louise Ball played for the St. James Jubilee Gospel Chorus.
Rev. Williams passed away in 1943. His homegoing service was very emotional but Rev. Williams left his members with the desire to continue in grace, faith, and strength.
St. Paul was served by several pastors after Rev. William’s death in 1943 until 1949. Among them were Rev. Walker, Rev. Foster, Rev. Raymond L. Warren (1942-1949) and Rev. Edward Johnson.
The cornerstone of the new church was laid on the first Sunday in September 1949 by Rev. Solomon Quash, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Coatesville, PA.
On March 7, 1948, a meeting was held to discuss a building project to more adequately service the church and the means of financing this project. St. Paul formed the first Building Fund Club. With the help of each member and many friends the work on the new building began.
The cornerstone of the new church at Second and Carbon was laid on the first Sunday in September 1949. On September 12, 1949, Rev. William D. Corum of Pottstown, PA preached the first sermon in the completed basement. By the will of Almighty God, a mortgage was obtained to finish the upper area and the work was completed in July 1950. St. Paul was re-dedicated in September 1950.
Rev. Corum was called to pastor St. Paul on October 21, 1949, and he was installed as Pastor by the Rev. Donald Owens, Pastor of Zion Baptist Church of Reading, PA., and the membership continued to grow. With the faithful giving of the membership, the mortgage was paid off in December 1958, and a mortgage burning service was held on April 19, 1959.
Rev. William D. Corum and Sister Mary Corum
Pastor of St Paul 1949 -1963
Rev. Frank J. Dyson
and Sister Bonnie Dyson
Pastor of St. Paul 1966 – 1977
Rev. Corum was called to pastor St. Paul on October 21, 1949, and he was installed as Pastor by the Rev. Donald Owens, Pastor of Zion Baptist Church of Reading, PA., and the membership continued to grow. With the faithful giving of the membership, the mortgage was paid off in December 1958, and a mortgage burning service was held on April 19, 1959.
Rev. Corum resigned as pastor in October 1963 accepting another pastorate. St. Paul was served by several ministers including Rev. Reed and Rev. H.E. Robinson until 1966. On December 21, 1966, Rev. Frank J. Dyson of Philadelphia was called to pastor St. Paul.
Urban renewal moved into Northampton Heights and once again St. Paul had to move. The last worship service in the building at Second and Carbon was held in March 1967. The members had worshipped in that building for seventeen years. The Bethlehem Steel Company purchased the land and razed the church building. St. Paul moved to a temporary location at Fourth and Duncan Streets.
The church purchased land at Goepp and Bryan Streets (the present location) and on August 18, 1968, groundbreaking ceremonies were held, and the foundation of the new church was started. In April 1969 work on the new church was completed. On February 8, 1970, Rev. Dyson led the congregation into the new edifice at 925 E. Goepp Street to celebrate their dedication service and first worship service.
On February 8, 1970, Rev. Dyson led the congregation into the new edifice at 925 E. Goepp Street to celebrate their dedication service and first worship service.
In April 1969 work on the new church was completed. On February 8, 1970, Rev. Dyson led the congregation into the new edifice at 925 E. Goepp Street to celebrate their dedication service and first worship service.
The church wrote and approved its Constitution and By-Laws and was incorporated in Harrisburg. New auxiliaries were added to the church as needed, additional land was purchased and the church became active in several Baptist Associations, including becoming a lifetime member of the NAACP in 1963. The church had a definite impact on the community.
In 1975 St. Paul celebrated its Golden Anniversary. It was a great celebration of 50 years of coming through struggles, trusting in God’s Word, and praise for the goodness and faithfulness of God.
The church regretfully accepted the resignation of Rev. Dyson in 1977 after having pastored St. Paul for 11 years. Rev. Dyson and his wife, Bonnie, returned to his home church, Metropolitan Baptist, in Philadelphia.
The church called Rev. Lorenzo Hall from Washington, DC to pastor in January 1979. “Project 79” paid off the remaining mortgage by individual pledges and hard work in March of 1979. Rev. Hall pastored St. Paul for about a year and a half before leaving to start a new Baptist fellowship in the city.
Rev. Marshall E. Griffin, Sr.
and Sister Edith Griffin
Pastor of St. Paul 1980 - 2011
In October 1980, the church elected a new pastor, the Rev. Marshall E. Griffin, Sr. of Philadelphia. Rev. Griffin was installed as pastor of St. Paul and his wife, Edith became First Lady in January 1981. Under Rev. Griffin’s leadership much progress and many additions were made. The church grew physically with an extensive building program and additional purchase of land. The church grew spiritually through bible study and service for our Lord within the church and the community. The church grew financially and again paid off the mortgage with pledges. The church also grew numerically as many people were drawn to make a decision to follow Christ and work out their soul salvation. The size of the deacon board and associate ministry was increased.
The church participated in the Central Baptist Association’s Camp Central activities yearly with sport teams, contests, and fellowship. The youth from pee-wee to high school age participated in the city basketball league.
In 1995 the church celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a special service and banquet. The theme was “Coming Together in One Accord …. Working Together as a Team.”
Ribbon cutting for St Paul’s Education Enrichment Center was held in 2002. Computers were donated from Bethlehem Vo-Tech and computer classes were started training under Bro. Sam Burgess. The community classes were popular and beneficial.
Rev. Griffin succumbed to illness and the Lord called him home on January 15, 2011. He was predeceased by his wife, Edith in 2000. After a period of mourning, the church went into prayer seeking God’s guidance for the future leadership of St. Paul.
Pastor James I. Jackson and First Lady Whitnye Jackson
During the search for a new pastor, God’s leading brought to us the Rev. James I. Jackson, Jr. from Enon Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Rev. Jackson was elected as our new pastor and his first Sunday as pastor of St. Paul was June 10, 2012. By his side was his wife, Whitnye, as our new first lady of St. Paul Baptist Church and their two children James and Jordyn.
Installation services were held on the weekend of October 13-14, 2012. We had a rousing service in a packed church Sunday afternoon with The Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and his church. This began a close association with Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Pastor Jackson was welcomed with open arms, and he brought a renewed vision for the church. He brought great energy and exuberance to worship and a greater sense of individual Christian responsibility. Pastor Jackson said he was guided by Ephesians 2:8. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Under Pastor Jackson the youth participated in a dance ministry and a yearly Achievement Service to celebrate all of their accomplishments. We had an active women’s ministry and men’s ministry. Health Path, a popular ministry of good health and eating correctly, was started by Bro. Robert Drake. In addition to preparing and serving a meal monthly at the Victory House under the direction of the Missionary Ministry, a bible study was added by the men at St. Paul for Victory House. Our revival services were restarted with outdoor services held each May for two nights. The MLK Day of Service was instituted with the church involved in service to the community for the day.
Our 90th Church Anniversary (2015) was celebrated with a special service and banquet at the Green Pond Country Club. Our speaker was The Rev. Phillip Davis of Greater Shiloh Church in Easton.
During Pastor Jackson’s pastorate the church accepted Rev Corey Bryant, a ministerial student from Moravian Seminary, to serve his internship at St. Paul. Bro. Jamie Eggleston, Bro. Robert Drake and Deaconess Barbara Hemmons were added to the pulpit ministry and gave their initial sermons. The ministry started monthly worship services at Gracedale Nursing Home. Under Rev. Jackson an emphasis was placed on St. Paul being a praying church. Many opportunities were offered during the week for the church to meet in early morning prayer and evening prayer by phone.
Pastor Jackson passed suddenly on March 31, 2019. He made a great impact on church members and the community. Going home services were held at St. Paul Baptist Church and Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Reverend Ralph B. Hale and First Lady Jill Hale, Current Pastor of St. Paul
A pastoral search committee was formed to choose an interim pastor and a new pastor. After praying and being led by the Holy Spirit, Rev. Ralph B. Hale was elected as interim Pastor in September 2019. He was elected as Senior Pastor in June of 2020, and his wife Jill Hale became the new first lady of St. Paul Baptist Church. Pastor Hale brings with him a “wealth” of ministry experience and leadership! Most importantly he loves Jesus and is committed to help move the church forward.
Shortly after Pastor Hale was elected as pastor, we entered a Pandemic that caused us to no longer hold in-person service. However, Pastor Hale did not allow the pandemic to hinder him from leading this local body. He continued to faithfully hold Sunday morning services, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening Bible study, meetings, and fellowships virtually.
“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24)