About Saint Paul Baptist Church

The Saint Paul Baptist Church was founded under a brush harbor by Rev. Shed Dumer in 1895. Our first church building was built under his leadership in Pike Road, Alabama. He served as pastor for many years until his health failed. The following eight pastors served: Rev Gratson Garrett, Rev. Dale, Rev. Bennie Robinson, Rev. Row, Rev. O. R. Robinson, Rev. Moore, Rev. Willis and Rev. Moore (served twice). Rev. W. W. Warren became our tenth pastor in 1935. He served faithfully with dedication and distinction for 42 years. Because of failing health, he was honorably retired June 5, 1977 by the church and continued to be recognized as the pastor for the remainder of his life. He and his wife are buried in the St. Paul Churchyard Cemetery. Under Rev. Warren, the church grew. The church moved to location just on the hill in Waugh in 1966. Land for the building was purchased from the late Rev. Louis & Sis Queen Williams (who are buried in the churchyard cemetery. Sis Rosie Ford Wilson was the first burial in the “new” cemetery in February 1966 before the church was actually completed and while we were still in the church’s location in Pike Road. The other cemetery is in Pike Road.

Rev. E. D. Temple became pastor in 1977 and served until 1981. The Templelettes and a Junior Choir were organized under his leadership. In 1979, Rev. Temple ordained a deaconess—Deaconess Alma Bowen.

Rev. J. B. Simmons became our 12th pastor in January 1982 and served through December 1990. Under his leadership the following repairs were made to the church: secure footings to avoid additional cracking, installation of an inside baptizing pool, and enlargement of the choir stand. Rev. Johnny Carter became pastor the third Sunday in December 1991 and served until March 1997. The following accomplishments were under his leadership: Every Sunday Church Services instead of first and third Sundays, First Sunday Communion in lieu of third Sundays, new padded church pews, central heating and cooling, beautiful light fixtures, stained windows, fence around heat pumps, cordless microphone, heater for baptizing pool, new choir robes, drum set, a television and VCR.

Minister Sylvester Poole Sr. became our 14th pastor in February 1998. Many accomplishments have been made under his leadership: public address; new flooring installed in the serving area; increase in membership; increase in finances; better method of bookkeeping and finance; Youth Revival; a Penny Pincher fund to ensure youth activities/trips; ordination of three deacons - Deacon Eddie Coleman, Deacon Allen Bowen, Jr., and Deacon Johnny Floyd; organizing the Deacon Board into teams to ensure communion is taken to the sick and shut-in on first Sundays; organization of male chorus; Anointed Dancers; Light from Heaven; Sons of God; a church bus, digital piano; became members of the Alabama Middle District Association; ordination of a young teenage preacher -- Minister Sylvester Poole, Jr., License 9-17-2000, Ordination 1-27-2002; Minister Allen Bowen, Jr., License # November 5, 2006; offering of the Lord’s Supper each Sunday; a Missionary Department-sponsored GED Program at the local volunteer fire department (Waugh-Mount Meigs); Christmas Fellowship Banquet; St. Patrick’s Day Banquet; land purchase; and new sanctuary (in the valley); attendance of National Baptist Convention (to all that want to attend); Prayer Warriors-Wednesdays and Sundays; New Members Orientation; Vacation Bible School and the set up of a Church Web Page. By God’s grace and mercy, the St. Paul Baptist Church continues to lift him up!