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Our History
In 2002 the United Methodist Church designated St. Paul United
Methodist Church as its 397th historical site. This was the result of a
well-planned campaign, which debuted at the 2001 Southwest Texas
Annual Conference in Corpus Christi. It recognized St. Paul as the
mother of all African-American churches in San Antonio.
St. Paul began in 1866 when former slaves and freemen from Paine
Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, today known as Travis Park
UMC, met in private homes and established themselves as the first
black Congregation in Bexar County authorized by the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1864. Rev. A.
Larkin Carper was the founding minister of this congregation that was
originally known as the "Colored Methodist Church"
McDaniel Webster, one of the Charter members, donated a plot of
land in 1870 upon which the first church was built. In 1922 the
congregation moved to its present location and is now known as St.
Paul United Methodist Church.
During its life St. Paul United Methodist has served as a beacon for
the African-American community. What began as a need for religious
direction and self-determination for former slaves now brings
spiritual unity, trust and respect for all person of all ages, races
genders and marital status.
In 2002 the United Methodist Church designated St. Paul United
Methodist Church as its 397th historical site. This was the result of a
well-planned campaign, which debuted at the 2001 Southwest Texas
Annual Conference in Corpus Christi. It recognized St. Paul as the
mother of all African-American churches in San Antonio.
St. Paul began in 1866 when former slaves and freemen from Paine
Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, today known as Travis Park
UMC, met in private homes and established themselves as the first
black Congregation in Bexar County authorized by the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1864. Rev. A.
Larkin Carper was the founding minister of this congregation that was
originally known as the "Colored Methodist Church"
McDaniel Webster, one of the Charter members, donated a plot of
land in 1870 upon which the first church was built. In 1922 the
congregation moved to its present location and is now known as St.
Paul United Methodist Church.
During its life St. Paul United Methodist has served as a beacon for
the African-American community. What began as a need for religious
direction and self-determination for former slaves now brings
spiritual unity, trust and respect for all person of all ages, races
genders and marital status.
| 508 N. Center St. San Antonio, TX 78202, Phone (210) 227-2525, Fax (210) 227-7621 |
