ST. PAUL U.A.M.E. CHURCH

St. Paul U.A.M.E. Church
A Legacy of Faith and Perseverance
Founded 1887 — Wilmington, Delaware
Our Beginning
St. Paul was founded in 1887, when a small group of believers gathered in a home on Wilmington’s west side for prayer. Those humble meetings later moved to the east side, at 7th and Walnut Streets. By 1893, the group had organized as a church known as the 11th Street Mission.
On May 4, 1905, incorporation papers were signed by three devoted members—John Matthews, John Primrose, and John W. Anderson. Their faith laid the cornerstone of what would become a lasting ministry.
A Church on the Move
Under the leadership of the late Rev. John E. Harris, the congregation purchased the old Silo building on April 24, 1981. Two years later, the trustees placed the former church at 408 East 11th Street on the market. In 1985, the building was purchased by the Church of Deliverance, led by Rev. Roosevelt Burns.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, Rev. George W. Poindexter—now Bishop Poindexter—led the transformation of the former Silo Appliance and TV Center into a new house of worship. The Spirit of God filled those walls then, and still dwells among us today. “For He that is mighty hath done great things for us.” — Luke 1:49
The Present Work
Under the leadership of Bishop Charles L. Amos, our congregation continues to grow in grace and service. Throughout the years, St. Paul has nurtured Spirit-filled preachers, teachers, and singers who have gone forth to serve the Lord’s vineyard. Among them are: Rev. Dr. Dolores J. Loper, Rev. Dr. Etta M. Robertson, Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Wilmore, Rev. Edward Hughes, the late Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Britt, Rev. James Matthews, Jr.,
Apostle Linda Henry Tucker, the late Apostle Patricia Williams, Apostle Anthony Brown, Rev. Michael Mills, Rev. Howard Jones, Rev. Christopher Cooper, the late Rev. Elwood Fews, the
late Rev. Dr. Verna Fews, and the late Rev. Vivian W. Gray.
We also honor the memory of Rev. Kenneth Harrigan, Rev. Arnett Gray, Rev. Joseph Walley, and Bishop Bostic, who have transitioned from labor to reward.
We thank God for ministers who returned to serve after retirement: Rev. Howard P. Jones, Rev. Dr. Etta M. Robertson, Rev. Alan O. Smith, Rev. Dr. Dolores J. Loper, Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Britt, and Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Wilmore.
And we lovingly acknowledge our lifelong member, Rev. Bessie L. Jones, for her unwavering service to St. Paul Church.
Our Ministerial Staff
Rev. Jean L. Williams
Rev. Louis Freeman
Rev. Rosalind White-Smith
Evangelist Janice Dickerson
Evangelist Dr. Mary Stanley
Evangelist Sonja Amos
Evangelist Sandy Gibbs
Evangelist Alfea L. Amos
Evangelist Synthia Freeman
Local Preacher Celeste Williams
Exhorter Dineen A. Amos
Pastoral Legacy
Eighteen dedicated pastors have led St. Paul through seasons of growth and victory:
Rev. Samuel P. Shepard
Rev. Walter Castell
Rev. W. J. Byrd
Rev. Luther Smith
Rev. William H. Gray
Rev. H. H. Hoy
Rev. W. D. Smith
Rev. O. W. Forward
Rev. Charles Baird
Rev. J. J. Parker
Rev. John P. Predue
Rev. John H. Hartley
Rev. Monty W. Fraser
Rev. John E. Harris
Rev. George W. Poindexter
Rev. Michael S. Molden
Rev. Delmas P. Mills, Sr.
Bishop Charles L. Amos
Our Bishops
Four former pastors of St. Paul were elevated to the office of Bishop in the Union American
Methodist Episcopal Church:
Bishop O. W. Forward
Bishop John P. Predue
Bishop George W. Poindexter
Bishop Michael S. Molden
Our current pastor, Bishop Charles L. Amos, serves as the 26th Bishop of the U.A.M.E. Church while continuing to shepherd the St. Paul family with wisdom, faith, and grace.
Looking Ahead
For over a century, St. Paul U.A.M.E. Church has stood as a light of faith, perseverance, and love. We celebrate what God has done—and look forward to even greater things to come.
“The Spirit of God still dwells among us, as it did on the Day of Pentecost.”