Our History

The St. Paul A.M.E. Church originated as a tent on the Sweetwater Creek in Austell, GA around the late 1800's.  A prominent townsman, Mr. G.O. Mosley on 22 February, 1896, donated land for the congregation to have a place to worship.

In 1905 a small frame building was erected on this site with Rev.  A.A. Martin serving as pastor and Mr. Silas Pitts Sr. as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Sam Wilson, Will Wilson, Green Poole and Will Campbell also served as Trustees, and worked diligently in erecting the First Church House.  In 1923 Mr. Homer Pitts, Sr. was elected Chairman of the Trustee Board and during his term he accomplished the task of bricking the outside of the church and installing inside bathrooms and running water.  Mr. Pitts served as Chairman for over forty years and as honorary Chairman until his death in 1979.

In 1963, the members saw the need for a fellowship hall which was built and secured through the help of Rev. R.B. Colbert, Mr. T.R. Weatherhall and Mrs. R.M. Few.

On May 4th, 1963, a board meeting was held and an agreement was reached to incorporate the church.  On May 26th, 1964, the church was officially incorporated and the name was changed to the Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Inc.

The Corporation officers are as follows:

Alvin Poole, President

Bernice Watts, Vice President

Bridgette A. Lattimore, Secretary

Joan Smith, Treasure

Rev. C. Neal, Pastor

The following as Board of Directors:

Oscar Pitts

George E. Jones

Vernon Pitts

Ceal Miller

Clarence Miller

In 1974, under the leadership of Rev. G. Perkins the land for the present church was purchased from Mr. James Few.  In June 1985 work was begun on the New Church. On October 20th, 1985 the congregation moved into the new church.

We have been lead by many pastors who blessed us spiritually and encouraged us to continue on in our works of serving a true and living God.  Today we serve God under the leadership of Rev. Mark R. Harkness, Sr. and through him with the Lord's many blessings and mercy, we the members are endeavoring on a project to preserve our great church history where as it will remain an asset to our community.