A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE SAINT PAUL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE WILLIAMSBURG COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Saint Paul United Methodist Church as it celebrates this important milestone; and

 

Whereas, Saint Paul United Methodist Church was founded in 1876 under the leadership of Reverend Gamble in Kingstree. With no building for worship, members first met in their homes. As the congregation grew, trustees purchased land and erected a new wooden structure named Saint Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church; and

 

Whereas, highly devoted to education, the early church established Cane Branch Elementary, a two-room schoolhouse, and Saint Paul Elementary School, which served students from the first to sixth grades. Both schools provided education for Black students during a time when there were no other schools for them in the community; and

 

Whereas, over the years, the church grew further to support the needs of its congregation. Construction of a brick building began in 1946 under the leadership of Reverend I. V. Manning. Saint Paul's ministries grew to include the gospel choir, the chancellor choir, children's choir, and outreach to those affected by Hurricane Hazel in 1956. The church erected a cemetery in 1978; and

 

Whereas, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to create The United Methodist Church in 1968. Under this merger, Saint Paul became Saint Paul United Methodist Church. The all-African American Central Jurisdiction was dissolved, and the congregation became a part of the Southeastern Jurisdiction; and

 

Whereas, Saint Paul United Methodist Church shared its pastor with the nearby Saint Michael United Methodist for many years. In June 1989, Saint Paul became a station church. The Reverend John A. Sellers was appointed pastor by Bishop Joseph B. Bethea; and

 

Whereas, on January 17, 1993, Saint Paul opened its hearts and doors and welcomed friends and guests to share in the celebration of the consecration of a new facility where they still worship today; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Jerry L. Gadsden became pastor of Saint Paul United Methodist Church on June 24, 2019. Under his leadership, Saint Paul received a grant from the South Carolina Respite Program to create a space serving vulnerable children and the elderly; and

 

Whereas, Saint Paul was closed for in-person worship from March 11, 2020, to July 4, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The congregation continued to meet virtually on Wednesdays and Sunday worship was livestreamed from the parking lot. During the closure, the entire building was renovated, online giving was implemented so that members could contribute to the ministries of the church in the comfort of their homes, and the church partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina to host two vaccination clinics; and

 

Whereas, Saint Paul will celebrate its one hundred fiftieth anniversary during a weekend of events from October 16-October 18, 2026, under the theme: "Celebrating 150 years of God's Amazing Faithfulness: Reflecting on our Past, Rejoicing in the Present, and Walking by Faith into the Future." This weekend will culminate with a service of thanksgiving with Bishop Leonard Fairley, Resident Bishop of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment of Saint Paul United Methodist Church to serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Saint Paul United Methodist Church upon the occasion of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary and commend the church for its many years of dedicated service to the Williamsburg community and the people and the State of South Carolina.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Jerry L. Gadsen and the Saint Paul United Methodist Church Board of Trustees.

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