Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
801 E. 6th Street, Bonham
The following is from a publication for the 135th church homecoming and anniversary, held April 28, 2013.
St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has been continuously ministering to Black Methodists in Fannin County for 135 years. The St. Paul Church is located on East Sixth in Bonham. The oldest of its kind in the county, the congregation was organized about 1865 after the end of the Civil war on the west side of town at what was known as Tank Town.
Tank Town was the name given to that part of Bonham where many railroad tanks were located. Prior to 1865, all Bonham Methodists met together at the Baptist Church's log building. The former slaves at St. Paul had difficulty erecting their first building. Men and women, like the Yoakums (brought to Texas from North Carolina) and the Perry's, worked together to make a humble log structure with a dirt floor. The two Methodist churches continued to share the same ministers for several years, until Black preachers were ordained.
In the 1870's members moved to the east side of town. Tank Town began to be served by Bradford Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church while St. Paul made plans to build their second chapel. In 1876 Carson Moore donated the land on East Sixth. The building was erected April 1878 while Rev. F. M. McPherson served as circuit preacher.
The church grew and prospered such that by 1897 it was apparent that another church building would need to be erected. The second chapel was moved to the rear of the lot and used as a recreation center. Rev. C. Gibson and the brethren of the church went out to the woods, cut down trees, and hewed the church foundation. Arched, floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows on the church's sides and rose windows in front added to the church's loveliness. A high steeple could be seen from several points in Bonham.
Between 1897 and the late 1920's, St. Paul was at its pinnacle. Music was especially important. A church band, consisting of about 20 members, played at the Bonham square, in yards, church services, and funeral processions. The band had trumpets, clarinets, trombones, a tube and drums. Solemn hymns, such as "Free As A Bird", were played after funerals as the band marched slowly behind the casket and in front of mourners. Everyone walked from East Sixth down Main Street for several miles to the gravesite. After the burial, the band embellished the hymns for a joyous procession home. The thirty member church choir was also important and gave beauty and inspiration to Sunday services. Women in the church carried their music home. Occasionally, as a church woman swept her yard, she would be heard singing such hymns, as Amazing Grace or I'll Soon Be Done with the Troubles of this World and I'm Bound to Carry My Soul to the Lord.
When the great depression covered the nation with economic despair, St. Paul was forced to sell its stained glass windows and the wood from the recreation hall, the steeple, and the vestibule. Plain square windows and a wooden cross were set in place. Women sang Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee. Many members whose jobs had been in carpentry, domestic service or common labor moved away from Bonham with the hope of finding work in larger cities.
Today St. Paul has a small but dedicated congregation, with the proud pastor being Rev. Joe Pease of Desoto, Texas.
Known Leaders of Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church:
Rev. F. M. McPherson, 1878-
Rev. C. Gibson, 1897
Rev. G. A. Jones
Rev. E. E. Dykes, 1970-1971
Rev. N. R. Robinson, 1971-1982
Rev. W. T. Wilkins, 1982-1983
Rev. P. H. Warren, 1983-1987
Rev. U. J. Byrd, 1987-1993
Rev. W. T. Wilkins, 1993-1997
Rev. L. C. Bell, 1997-2000
Rev. M. Liner, 2000-2002
Rev. E. L. Washington, 2002-2011
Rev. L. Hardiman, 2011-2012
Rev. Joe Pease 2012-
Deceased Roll:
Amos Alexander
Ida Alexander
Rebecca Alexander
Flora Bailey
Elizabeth Ballard
Rosie Mae Bennett
Amelia Briggs
Willie B. Carter
Lucinda Cumons
E. L. Curlee
Charlie Dale
Virgie Danner
Miller Doss
Ruth Doss
Henry Everidge
Michael Everidge
Louise Fitzpatrick
Lucille Fields
Cornelius Williams
John Charles WilsonCallie Mae Glangan
Fannie Ganther
Lillian Gother
Gussie Graham
Willie Graham
Bertina Hall
Katheleen Hall
Iantha Garrett
Bernice Henson
Eddie Hunter
Lois Johnson
Mary Johnson
Rena Jones
Loren King
Arvella Lankford
Tommie Maddrey
Charlie Joe Mason
Manella Mae McKee
Nettie Ree McKinney
Barry Dean Wilson
J. W. Wyatt
C. M. Patterson
Marion Patterson
Dudley Perry
Jack Phea
Freddie Mae Phea
M. J. Phea
Theodore Phea
Ida Phillips
Bridgett Ransom
Debbie Ransom
Douglas Ransom
Allie Mae Reed
Alvin Reeves
Juanita Reeves
Authur Stevenson
Arvellia Stevenson
Melvin Stevenson
Maude Stone
Lorenzo Walters
Beulah Mae Wilson
Presiding Bishops and Elders
Bishop R. A. Carter
Bishop E. Cottrell
Bishop H. Porter
Bishop B. W. Doyle
Bishop N. S. Curry
Bishop C. D. Coleman
Bishop Marshall Gilmore
Bishop Ronald Cunningham
Bishop Henry Williamson
Presiding Elders
Bishop I. E. Robinson
Elder J. H. Austin
Elder L. E. Craig
Elder H. M. Jones
Elder A. L. Arnold
Elder J. C. Darden
Elder S. Callard
Elder W. A. Jones
Elder D. Thomas Sr.
Elder N. B. Stewart
Elder R. A. Leewis
Elder P. H. Warren
Elder A. J. Jones
Elder Byron Jackson
Elder Herbert Scott
