About Us
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  ---Joshua 24:15

We've been praising and worshiping God since 1892!

Much of the rich history of St. Paul A. M. E. Zion Church has gone to the grave with many of the earlier history makers. This is just small summation of information that has been passed from one generation to another.
 
In 1989 T. A. Cliett and his wife deeded one acre of land to the Trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church located on Montgomery and Columbus Road for $10.00.
 
According to the cornerstone laid in the front of the present St. Paul Church Building, the church was founded and organized in 1892 under the leadership of Rev. Collins and before a building was ever constructed, the church members met for worship services under a bush harbor.
 
During the early 1900’s there were few people living in the Shorter and Tysonville Community. Due to government influence, people from various communities were relocated to Tysonville and Shorter. St. Paul was one of the few churches in the community.
 
During the 1940’s, St. Paul members wanted to construct a new church building. In order to financially accomplish this goal, the members adopted a program that is still exists today call “Lord’s Acre’s Day”. Every November, members give a special financial contribution to the church for a common goal.
 
Down through the years St. Paul has served many purposes. Until the 1970’s the church was a Greyhound Bus Stop. Whenever people desired to leave or come to Shorter, they would buy their ticket to St. Paul A. M. E. Zion Church.
 
Most certainly since 1892, St. Paul has been “A Beacon Light” for this community. In 2006 God Blessed St. Paul’s with a new Captain to run His ship, the Rev. Beverly Stewart- Lewis.
 
Pastor Lewis made history in the life of this church when she became St. Pauls first female pastor.  Pastor Lewis has brought us a long way through her leadership and the visions she has for us.
 
Under the leadership of Pastor Beverly Lewis, we have grown spiritually, and we have reached out to help others in this community spiritually and financially.
 
During the history of St. Paul there have been 23 pastors…

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FORMER PASTORS 
        1. Rev. Collins                                                                                    12. Rev. Siloan Fort
        2. Rev. Todd                                                                                       13. Rev. Frank Dixon
        3. Rev. Jones                                                                                      14. Rev. A.J. Moore
        4. Rev. McKinney                                                                              15. Rev. C.D. Bronson
        5. Rev. Day                                                                                         16. Rev. S. Faulk
        6. Rev. Strafford                                                                                17. Rev. R.V. Rimpsey
        7. Rev. Goodson                                                                                18. Rev. T. Smiley
        8. Rev. E.D. Marshall                                                                        19. Rev. C. Hooker
        9. Rev. S.H. Chatman                                                                       20. Rev. J.W. Harris
        10. Rev. Nemrod Harris                                                                   21. Rev. T. Barnes
        11. Rev. F.D. Taylor                                                                             22. Rev. W. Patterson
 
CURRENT PASTOR
23. Rev. Beverly S. Lewis

Short History of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church

From the Pastor​​​​​​​​​​​​

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, welcome to our page. We have come this far by faith and God has blessed our congregation immensely. Our founding members planted seeds of faith through which God is still blessing us today. This congregation has a glorious past and God has shown us that His expectations of us are even greater today. If we work as a team and remain steadfast, He will continue to bless us, and we will see the fruit from our labor because Gods provisions are without end.
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It is my prayer that the members of this church continue to grow spiritually as well as numerically. May we never forget nor take for granted the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. Let us all make a pledge to be more faithful to Him in every area of our lives, so that, one day we will hear Him say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant!”

To God Be the Glory!
Rev. Beverly Stewart-Lewis & Br. Percy Lewis


A message from the Trustee Board

We thank God for all former members and loved ones who have passed the torch, bearing witness to the gospel in this place. We reflect upon their faithfulness and dedication.

“Where there is no vision , the People perish.”  —Proverbs 29:18

The St. Paul A. M. E. Zion Church
Board of Trustee’s

Rev. Beverly Lewis, Pastor
Bro. Percy Lewis, Chairman
Sis. Pamela Lett, Asst. Chairman
Bro. Derrick Harris
Bro. Allen Watson
Bro. Oliver Quinn
Bro. David Williams, Emeritus​​
© 2021 St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church