Our PASTORS

Our HISTORY

Organized in 1891

In 1891, a group of congregants from Harrisburg’s Second Baptist Church were spiritually inspired to withdraw from the parent congregation and form their own church to honor their impassioned commitment to the Lord. This invigorated group of 33 worshipers, which eventually included the parent church’s own pastor, the Rev. George W. Deskins, began holding meetings in the home of Deacon Thomas and Henrietta Watson at 436 S. Cameron Street.

Through prayer and faith, the worshipers, led by Rev. Deskins, launched St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. The Sunday services were held at Eby Hall on Market Street near Fifth Street and eventually moved to Barr’s Hall at Second and Locust Streets. In 1894, Pastor Deskins passed the mantle to the Rev. J. P. Lawrence. St. Paul briefly led its flock at Starr’s Hall at Fulton and Broad streets.  Rev. Lawrence oversaw St. Paul’s first purchase of property, on Eleventh Street near Herr Street, the former home of the Bethany Presbyterian Congregation.

The seedling church’s move in 1894 came at a critical time. Harrisburg’s burgeoning black community was growing even larger. The community grew as the area’s steel industry drew thousands of Southern black immigrants, yearning for fresh opportunities nearly three decades after the Civil War had ended. Many of those families were drawn to the new, spirited congregation at its new location. St. Paul established a strong foothold in the African-American community; its membership ranks swelled notably.

Just a year after the new property was purchased, Rev. Lawrence resigned as pastor. He was followed by The Rev. W. I. Waites, the Rev. R. H. Porter and then the Rev. W. J. Smith. All served for tenures of two to three years. Then, in 1902, the Rev. A. I. Sumner took over the helm of the church. During his three-year tenure, the mortgage was burned and all debts were paid.

St. Paul’s next minister, Rev. H. W. Childs, advised the church to buy new property at Eleventh and State Streets and to erect its own original structure. Rev. Childs stepped down and was replaced by a new pastor, the Rev. M. R. Purnyar who once again led devotions at the old Eby Hall while the new church was being constructed. The Rev. J. M. Moses also held services in the basement as financial woes ensued. The Honorable John L. Kuhns came to the aid of the financially floundering church.

In 1911, the Rev. E. Luther Cunningham became the first in a series of esteemed clergymen who would lead the church to regional prominence.  An astute statesman and civic leader, Rev. Cunningham founded the Community Building and Loan Association, a black owned and operated financial lending and investment institution that continued funding civic projects for 50 plus years. He also started the Central Baptist Association of Pennsylvania in 1917.  During the deadly worldwide flu pandemic of 1918, Rev. Cunningham, along with Dr. Charles H. Crampton, led an effort that equipped the church to serve as an emergency hospital for African American flu patients.

In 1929, two years after Rev. Cunningham’s passing, the Rev. D. A. Scott accepted the pastorate of the church and served for three years.  Then the Rev. Norman led the congregation from 1935 to 1937.

The Rev. William P. Toland of Philadelphia stepped up to St. Paul’s pulpit in 1937. Under his tutelage, the church’s ranks swelled again, drawing worshipers from across the city. In response, St. Paul created a bus ministry to accommodate its growing flock. “The Gospel Cruise” was captained by Mr. Walter Sloane, ferrying people from their homes to Sunday services. Under Pastor Toland’s leadership, the youth ministry was greatly expanded. A Junior Church, Junior Choir, Young People’s Choir and Junior Deacons Board were created. A praying band was re-established and the Church’s Teaching Conference was launched.  Rev. Toland returned to Philadelphia after serving St. Paul for 23 years.

The Rev. Franklin L. Henley accepted a call to lead St. Paul in August 1950. His first sermon, “A Wise Builder,” was manifested not only in building the souls of people, but a state-of-the-art church home at our current site at Seventeenth and Cumberland Streets in the city’s Schrinerstown section. The groundbreaking was held in June 1956.  In August 1960, St. Paul moved to its new church which cost a half million dollars. Within 15 years, the church’s membership expanded to more than 1,000 members.  In 1974, the church’s mortgage was burned.

Under Dr. Henley’s helm, many auxiliaries were organized including the Willing Workers and The Ladies Auxiliary.  Out-reach tutoring and youth programs were launched.  In 1982, Rev. Henley ordained the Rev. Earl L. Harris to develop and pastor the Junior Church that mentored children from infancy to age thirteen. Pastor Henley was very active in community developments and especially the Civil Rights movement, being instrumental in recruiting African American teachers to the school district and starting the OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) program that trained persons for career jobs with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In 1985, the Rev. Charles E. Mock returned to his home church as the Assistant Pastor to Rev. Henley. Rev. Mock was appointed Pastor of the church after Rev. Henley was called to his reward on October 9, 1987.  Pastor Henley had faithfully served St. Paul for 37 years.

Under Pastor Mock’s vision, the church expanded its current home at 1201 N. 17th Street. First conceived by Rev. Henley, the expansion – that included a new Junior Church Sanctuary and administration wing – was completed Feb. 23, 1991. Pastor Mock established the Rev. F. L. Henley Scholarship Fund to aid youth and adults enrolled in post-secondary schools.  Rev. Harris was elected Assistant Pastor by the church. Minister Kaylor Jackson was later ordained and devotedly served as Junior Church pastor before being called to pastor in the Edgemont community.

Along with another local pastor, Rev. Mock spearheaded the inauguration of the week-long Citywide Revival under the auspices of the Interdenominational Ministers Conference (IMC), presenting preachers and lecturers from across the eastern states.  The large gatherings brought together people from throughout the region and have continued now for several decades.

After 10 years of faithful service, Pastor Mock departed Harrisburg and began pastoring in Erie, Pa.  Just prior to Rev. Mock’s departure, the congregation selected Rev. Earl L. Harris to serve as pastor on December 7, 1994. He was officially installed as pastor May 7, 1995.

Under the direction of Pastor Harris, additional church ministries were expanded further as a freshly declared mission to aid and enrich the surrounding community in tough economic times and serve as a resource to the community at large. Operation Rescue was formed to take hot meals to the homeless and hungry, the church Food Bank was expanded and a Clothing Bank was established.  Christian Education training was increased and the Inner Healing and Deliverance Ministry was started.  The multimedia ministry was modernized with an updated sound system and visual projectors and screens to improve worship and instruction. In 1998, the Church Expansion Mortgage was burned. As part of its evangelism and outreach efforts, the church sent several youth and adults on mission/relief trips to Brazil, the Dominican Republic and earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Pastor Harris also provided leadership through the Interdenominational Ministers Conference (IMC) for the founding of a citywide low-income credit union, the former Greater Harrisburg Credit Union.  It was the first of its kind in Central Pennsylvania.

Pastor Harris led the members through a challenging time that resulted in the separation of the members, many of whom formed a new church.  Throughout this time, he remained steadfast and focused on the Gospel message of building up the spiritual self, leading members on spiritual fasts and beseeching them to identify and operate in their spiritual gifts.

Through Pastor Harris’ strong Biblical emphasis, the Five-Fold Ministry described in Ephesians was planted and took root.  Led by Holy Spirit, Pastor Harris inspired many at St. Paul to lovingly use their God-given talents in diverse ministries throughout the church.  In October 2018, Pastor Harris tendered his resignation, effective December 31, 2018, after having faithfully served the congregation for nearly 40 years, first as Sunday School teacher, then as pastor of the revitalized Junior Church and finally as church Pastor.

A search committee was established and, led by Holy Spirit, conducted a nationwide search to seek the leader God would have for the church.  After the prayerful review and evaluation of a very large number of applicants, three final candidates preached Sunday services and met the congregation.  Among those was a local pastor and apostle, Joseph L. Green, Jr., PhD, who grew up within the St. Paul congregation and was licensed and ordained by the church under the pastorate of Rev. Earl L. Harris.  During a specially called church meeting on October 2, 2019, Apostle Joseph L. Green, Jr. was selected to serve as St. Paul’s 17th pastor.  He was officially installed during the Sunday morning worship service on March 22, 2020.

Since pastoring St. Paul, Apostle Green has preached and taught on “Promoting and Protecting the Image of God” based on Genesis 1:26-27.  Additionally, the first offering of his ten-unit course entitled “Biblical Foundations – Increasing in the Knowledge of the Creator” saw nine students graduate.

Under Dr. Green’s leadership, the church has increased membership and church ministries have continued to grow.  Also, the worship services as well as Bible studies and seminars are available for viewing on YouTube and Facebook.

We praise God for how He has brought us this far by faith, celebrating the past while faithfully focused on the future. We are confident that “He which has begun a good work in (us) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:6).  Amen