St. Paul AME Raleigh
Moving from Church to Ministry “Evangelism Inside & Out – Life-changing Bible -Studies for Watering the 3 Seeds: Prayer, Faith and Service”
We are a church spreading the gospel to Raleigh for over 174 years.
Join us at 10 AM every Sunday.
History
The congregation which formed St. Paul Church was originally the slave membership of Edenton Street United Methodist Church. The Black members attended services there, but due to rapid growth in their membership, different housing arrangements became necessary. In 1853, White Methodists bought the Old Christ Episcopal Church, where the Blacks had been worshipping since 1846. The congregation worshipped under other names, but it was in 1848 that “St. Paul Church” was formally established. In 1854, the Black membership moved the old church to the corner of Harrington and Edenton Streets, where it remains today. Faced with the harsh realities of slavery and segregation, these former slaves banded together to form their own congregation and build a church that would serve as a symbol of hope and community for generations to come. The church has been a significant presence in the African American community of Raleigh for over 150 years, and its members have been active in promoting social justice and racial equality. In recent years, the church has also become a popular tourist destination, as visitors come to learn about its unique history and see its beautiful architecture.
Worship Services
Worship is at 10 AM
Sunday School
Sundays 8:30 AM
Everyone Tuesday 6:30 PM
Men Saturday 9:30 AM
Women Saturday 10:40 AM
About Our Pastor
Rev. Robert L. Hodges, Sr.
Rev. Hodges accepted his call into the ministry under the Leadership of Rev. William R. Porter in 1982. He served faithfully at Hemingway Memorial AME Church as a youth minister. He taught Sunday school and was instrumental in developing the youth by taking them on trips and conducting leadership training. He ordained an itinerant elder in 1988 and remained faithful to Hemingway until he was appointed as Pastor of Faith AME Church in Laurel, Maryland, in 1988. From a mission church in a school, he moved on to become the pastor of a full-fledged church there.
Despite being the holder of a degree in finance, Rev Hodges chose full-time preaching over a lucrative profession as Director of Finance for a large non-profit organization. He was part of the church when Faith AME Church bought a synagogue in the spring of 1992 and quickly became one of the AME Church’s fastest-growing congregations in the Northeast areas. It developed from a small congregation of ten people to a congregation of over 700 people. During his stay at Faith, he was a vital part of efforts to feed the homeless, responded to their needs through Elizabeth House, and even began a hospital ministry at Laurel Hospital. He was a founding member of Concerned Citizens of Laurel and served on the advisory board of the Beltsville, Maryland, police department.
He was assigned to Allen AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2004 and was well-liked by the congregation there. Rev. Hodges is committed to contributing to the community’s spiritual growth and was a member of the Excel Academy School’s advisory board in Baltimore, Maryland. He was appointed to St. Paul AME Church in Raleigh, NC, in September 2017 with the blessings of Bishop James Davis. Here, he hopes to carry on the objective of cultivating disciplined followers. He is also the Second Episcopal District’s accountant.
Rev. Hodges is married to Delores Haslerig Hodges, with whom he has three sons: Darryl, William, and Robert Jr. He also has 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He has the heart of a pastor and believes that “all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” As a dedicated pastor, he continues to carry out God’s will on Earth.
Announcements
Need the COVID-19 Vaccine?
We assist our members and the community in registering to receive the Covid-19 vaccine through Duke Raleigh Hospital.
If you are interested or know someone who is, please call or email the church office with
the following information: Name, date of birth, address, phone number, and group designation.
Attention Seniors!
The Golden Jewels meet every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Our meetings feature chair exercises, consumer information, various mental and physical activities, special home activity challenges, and lots of laughter and fun!
Please join us each week for an hour of connecting with other seniors and friends who are part of our community.
Anvil–Our Quarterly Magazine
Get to know, grow, and unite with the community through St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church magazine—Anvil.