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“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the
committee and to all of you for your efforts in contributing
to the success of this great celebration,” said Rev. James
Willis, pastor of St. Paul since 2003.
The centennial theme, “Proclaiming the Will of God for 100
years,” was from the Bible, Acts 20:28. Saturday’s banquet
program began with a welcome and official recognition of
special guests by banquet Mistress of Ceremonies Yvonne
Gayle. The invocation was delivered by Rev. Ruby Radford,
and Total Praise presented a dance ministry. Several local,
regional and state entities presented proclamations to the
congregation in honor of their accomplishment.
Immediately following dinner, congregational members with
over 50 years of membership were publicly acknowledged and
Rev. Joseph Smith’s granddaughter Sandra Joldstick delivered
words of encouragement.
“This congregation showed me so much love when I was little.
God is love. As the worship styled changed, it enlarged my
views on religion and began my spiritual journey. Over the
years, I’ve worked in difference churches as a pianist, and
each church broadened my horizon, but it all began with St.
Paul’s. I love this church and thank you for continuing to
be proof of God’s promise,” shared Joldstick.
Willis introduced the banquet speaker Toledo Mayor Paula
Hicks-Hudson. “We thank God for her. She is leading this
city of ours, right now, and will continue for another
term.”
Hicks-Hudson has been a member of St. Paul’s for over 30
years and joined almost immediately upon arriving in Toledo.
She shared memories from her first years at St. Paul’s and
how the congregation has continued the legacy of service to
the community over the years.
“St. Paul still impacts our community and opens many doors
for adults who became teachers, politicians, business
owners, and mechanics. I remember the Thursday Night Kids
Ministry, I know many ministers and leaders came out of that
faithful program for teens. Our pastor, Rev. Willis
continues the legacy of service with his involvement with
TUSA (Toledoans United for Social Action) and leading the
way with the lead ordinance. Some people believe that a
church should only focus on spiritual matters, but a church
is supposed to cover spiritual and physical matters.”
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church started as a mission in
the home of Mamie Porter on Howard Street on July 12, 1917
when the Westley Davises, Robert Christian and Sally McElya
met for worship. A year later the growing congregation
organized a church and gave it the name that is holds today.
After three locations, the church was housed at 654 Hamilton
Street where it remained until 1958 when the current
location was purchased from the United Brethren Church.
For 41 years of the church’s life, Rev. Joseph Smith served
as pastor, dedicating himself to the leadership in 1928.
After his death in 1969, Rev. John Simpson served as interim
pastor until Rev. John McKissick assumed leadership. During
his tenure, a Watch Care Program was established, a
department of education was formed, a credit union was
started and an annual week-end Youth Seminar began.
McKissick retired in 1985 after 16 years of service and in
1987 Rev. Irece Bradley was installed as pastor and the
church continued to grow. Bradley left to pastor a new
church in Akron in 1990 and Rev. Floyd Smith became St.
Paul’s pastor in 1991 serving until 1996.
In 1998, Rev. James R. Glover became pastor serving until
2003.
Under Pastor James Willis’ leadership, many programs have
been established to enrich the spiritual growth including:
Noonday Prayer Service and Bible Study with a bus ministry
for those unable to drive, a Young Adult Ministry for ages
18-40, a Young Adult monthly “Faith Friday” Program, a Young
Adult Praise Dance Ministry, a Young Adult Usher Board and a
revitalization of the Tape Ministry for the sick and
shut-in.
The congregation continues to grow and numerous improvements
and repairs have been made to the building while technology
has enabled a live streaming of Sunday sermons to the online
community.
The centennial celebration continued during the Sunday
morning and afternoon worship service at St. Paul Missionary
Baptist Church. The Celebratory Message on Sunday morning
was delivered Ernest Jones, D. Min, executive minister of
American Baptist Churches of Ohio. Re. Charles Tatum of Good
Shepherd Baptist Church delivered the afternoon service’s
Celebratory Message.
The two-day celebration was primarily organized by committee
chairs and committee members: Committee Chairman Marelen
Cook and Co-chairman Jan Scotland; Dawn Scotland, Book
Committee chairman; Mildred Schley, Banquet Committee
chairman; Norma King, Homecoming Committee chairman; First
Lady Linnie Willis, Program Committee chairman; Beverly
Beasley, Decorating Committee chairman; Mary Leggins,
Evening Service Food Chairman. |
