Rooted in Lincolnville Since 1873
St. Paul A.M.E. Church has stood on Martin Luther King Avenue in the Lincolnville neighborhood of St. Augustine, Florida, for more than 150 years. The congregation was organized in 1873 when the Reverend Richard James gathered a small group of followers and built the first church structure. The membership quickly outgrew that building, and Reverend James led an expansion before the congregation purchased the lot on Martin Luther King Avenue where the church sits today.
Through the decades, the church became interwoven with the life of St. Augustine. Frank Butler, one of the city's first African American businessmen, and Dr. Robert Hayling, the dentist who led the local civil rights movement in the 1960s, both had ties to St. Paul. During that era, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Reverend Ralph Abernathy, and other national leaders spoke from St. Paul's pulpit, and those visits helped build momentum for the Civil Rights Act.
A First for the Pulpit
In December 2021, the Reverend Dr. Alesia Ford-Burse became the pastor of St. Paul A.M.E., the first woman to hold the position in the church's history. She and her husband, First Gentleman Winston Burse, lead under the church's theme, "Maximizing Our Faith for the Future," grounded in Mark 11:22-24 and 2 Samuel 22:26.
Reverend Ford-Burse articulates a three-part mission: to exalt Jesus Christ in worship and lifestyle, to expand the church through invitation and outreach, and to empower the members by teaching the Word of God and providing training and life skills. The vision is to be a Christ-centered, impactful church in St. Johns County, and the pastor's rallying cry is simple: "Each One Bring One." The church's own refrain is, "We are St. Paul Strong. Let's worship together, pray together, learn together, and grow together."
Sunday in St. Paul
The Sunday rhythm at St. Paul is built around two main gatherings, with formation for newcomers tucked in before the service. New Members Orientation meets at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Sundays, giving visitors and recent attendees a chance to learn about the church and the wider A.M.E. tradition.
At 9:00 a.m., Bible Discovery Hour fills the building with classes for every age. Referred to as the church's Sunday school, it runs until 10:00 a.m. and is led by a department that includes Reverend Cerita Battles, Minister Cheryl Hundley as Superintendent, Brother David Nelson as Assistant Superintendent, and Sister Beverly Trotman as Secretary. The hour gives students of every level a comprehensive look at Scripture and how to apply it.
Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. and is the heart of the week. The service is livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person, and the Music Department leads the congregation in song. At the same hour, Youth Church gathers children and young people separately under the leadership of Brother Katajh Kemp, the minister for youth and young adults.
Midweek Formation and Prayer
On Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., the congregation gathers - and many join online - for Bible Study under the pastor's leadership. Each lesson is structured to reach students at varying levels of Bible knowledge, with a focus on transformative and inspirational study of the Word. The Zoom connection details are shared through the church.
Every weekday morning at 7:45 a.m., a Morning Prayer Line connects members by phone. A recorded service also airs on the NOW Network and on Hulu each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., extending the church's reach beyond Lincolnville.
Beliefs and Discipleship
St. Paul's statement of faith follows the classic Christian creeds: belief in God the Father, in Jesus Christ His Son conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, in the Holy Spirit, the universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
The church teaches that everything belongs to God and that members are trusted stewards, not owners. Tithing is framed as a decision of the heart, and the Stewardship Creed calls members to give of themselves, their influence, and their money for Kingdom service. Members affirm four "Confirmations of Faith" - that they are empowered by the Holy Spirit, protected by God, blessed and joyful, and highly favored and saved.
A Discipleship Covenant, drawn from Matthew 28:18-20, asks members to acknowledge Christ as Lord daily, maintain a quiet time of Scripture reading and meditation, attend worship faithfully, steward what God has given, love fellow members, share their faith, pray for the church, and practice biblical giving.
A Wide Range of Ministries
St. Paul's ministry life is broad and carefully organized, with named boards and groups that touch nearly every member of the household of faith.
- Board of Stewards supports the pastor and ministries, participating in Sunday worship, Bible Discovery Hour, weekly Bible study, and other activities.
- Daughters of Sarah offers women fellowship, empowerment, and spiritual enrichment through outreach, health and wellness sessions, and spiritual discussions.
- The Catherine Johnson Women's Missionary Society is dedicated to helping people grow in the knowledge and experience of God through mission work and training.
- Youth Ministry teaches children and youth about the love and redemption of God through Children and Youth Church, Dance Ministry, the Young People's Department (YPD), and the Youth Choir.
- Stewardess Board prepares the sacraments for Holy Communion and Baptism, and assists clergy in delivering communion to the sick and homebound.
- Sons of Allen is the men's ministry, helping men recognize their duty to God, family, and community.
- Board of Trustees cares for all church properties; trustees are nominated by the pastor and elected annually.
- Class Leaders connect with members across fifteen adult classes and three youth classes, checking on health and well-being and being among the first to respond in times of need, sickness, or bereavement.
- Department of Christian Education develops a unified program of Christian education covering Scripture, the Christian faith, and Godly values in daily life.
- Prayer Warriors is a Spirit-filled group devoted to intercessory prayer, praise, worship, and testimony.
- New Members Class welcomes newcomers with orientation and training, including an introduction to the A.M.E. Church.
- The Music Department leads the congregation in worship through music and song, seeking to bring glory to God and unify the body.
- Usher Board greets worshipers, identifies seating, distributes materials, and helps facilitate the offering.
- Kearse/Bryant Lay Organization educates laity on A.M.E. history and guidelines and promotes evangelism and stewardship.
- Health and Exercise Ministry focuses on the well-being of members and assists anyone who becomes ill during worship or events.
- Security Ministry maintains a safe environment for worship and activities.
- Transportation Ministry provides rides to Sunday worship and other events, both local and out of town.
Reaching Beyond the Walls
Outreach is a defining mark of St. Paul. The Help Ministry coordinates feeding the homeless and providing assistance to families in need, while also inviting and encouraging people to attend Sunday worship, Bible study, and Bible Discovery Hour. The Loving Care and Visitation Ministry, led by Reverend Tigenia Taylor Butler, offers spiritual support and care to members facing health or grief crises through in-person and virtual home visits. The Prison Ministry sends correspondence, spiritual encouragement, and intercessory prayers to incarcerated brothers and sisters, with no requirement that recipients be church members.
Wider Ministry Through Marketplace and Word
St. Paul's pastor assistants model ministry that bridges church and daily vocation. Reverend Cerita Battles, a managing director at J.P. Morgan Chase and head of Community and Affordable Lending, leads a team that ministers across the United States through strategies and partnerships to increase home ownership and financial literacy, and she also teaches Bible Discovery Hour. Reverend Cheryl Hundley serves as Evangelism Coordinator, Women's Ministry leader, and a Class Leader in addition to her teaching role. Brother Byron Cohen serves as Exhorter and as the South District Coordinator for the Sons of Allen men's ministry, with responsibility for outreach and evangelism.
A Year Shaped by Heritage
The church year is filled with gatherings that connect worship, heritage, and community. Each year the anniversary is observed - the 153rd Church Anniversary falls in mid-June. Black Heritage Weekend takes the congregation to Edward Waters University in February, and an African Diaspora History Presentation is held on the first and third Saturdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Best-Richardson Literature and Culture Museum. An annual Vacation Bible School runs in late July, and a Summer Music Camp in Lincolnville takes place in June. The Blessing of the Pets Ceremony each January, the Valentine's Dinner Dance, the Resurrection Sunrise Worship Service at St. Paul Park, and the Christmas Tree Park Lighting Service at St. Paul Park are part of the recurring calendar that brings the congregation together across the seasons.
Visiting St. Paul
The church is located at 85 Martin Luther King Avenue in St. Augustine, with free parking available on site. The office can be reached at (904) 829-3918 or by email at stpaullovechurch@gmail.com. Visitors are welcomed into a congregation that has been gathering in Lincolnville for more than 150 years, where the doors are open, the music is alive, and the call to grow in faith together remains the steady center of life at St. Paul.