St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-07-03
New 81. Peters
Church is CoIIed
"MirucIe Of fcifh" "
fContlnued from page D

Of Religion in Washington. d. c.,
where he was privileged 10 study
under DR.. Howard Thurman and
others His graduation from How
ard In 1913 gave him his first
church in Baltimore AME Con-
ference OF fifty members.
About year later he entered
oberlin University. oberlin, Ohio.
to study Philosophy OF Religion.
He felt very well prepared now,
to take over the largest church in
the Baltimore Conference the
might settle for second largest).
hut that year, because all appoint
ments were taken, he was sent 10
church Of seven members!
The next charge was Thomp-
sonviIle, Michigan. In the Michi-
gan Conference. From there 10
IdlewiId Tabernacle In Idlewild,
Michigan. Thus he was gradually
ascending the ladder OF success,
not by leaps and bounds as he
hoped Mt first, but the climb was
steady and sure. From Idlewild
he was sent to st. Paul's A.ME.
Church In Detroit. Michigan,
very lovely building and congre-
cation, but with great financial
obligation facing IL.
The way he managed ST. Paui'a
in Detroit. both spiritually and H.
nanciaily drew the attention OF
Bishop George w. Baber, bishop
OF the Northwest Conference.
whose home was In Detroit. SO
when the Northwest Conference OF
the A.M.E. Church convened In
st. Paul. Minnesota. In the fall
of 40. he was asked by our great
bishop 10 meet him in st. Paul, for
he had job for him In the great
Northwest.
obeying orders as a good Meth
odist preacher will. he left this
comfortable situation and headed
for the great Northwest and the
unknown.
His first view OF Old 81. Peters,
with roof full of pigeons, was
quite disconcerting, and he won
dered at first II he were sliding
down the ladder upon which he
had already taken some firm up
ward steps. For, AS he found out
later. real job awaited him here
Many attempts had been made be-
fore at building new church. but
each attempt had been unsuccess-
full. but
Tile waded right In, with u bit
OF grin ON his face
n he worried he hid it:
Tie started 10 sing as he tackled
the thing. that couldn't be
done
And he did a."
Calling TO the front that un-
usual amount of faith, grit. and
courage by which by this time he
had been so thoroughly schoolcd.
he set up his plans for building a
new st Peters
The congregation voted whole
heartedly % back him in this ven
ture. but voting In one thing and
sticking when the going Is rough
Is entirely another.
Then on May 9th, 1851. while
the pastor and family were vaca-
tioning In the east, the old church
was destroyed by fire, II brought
tears and sadness and feeling OF
detection TO the hearts Of all who
had come TO think OF this church
as a beloved landmark revered
by all.
on his arrival he was met with
downheartedness and despair by
many loyal members, but this
didn't last long. when this God
fearing man literally rolled up hts
sleeves and went to work, He
had the arduous task OF giving
hope and courage 10 the members
as well as launching q campaign
TO raise $4,000 dollars, with a
nest egg Of less than 100 dollars
plus about a thousand dollars Of
insurance,
Our story from here on, truly
becomes Miracle OF Faith" for
a new st. Peters became must
ON his calendar Of things 20 do.
and the other things were legion
Thru his trustees, Rev. Sim.
mons rented the auditorium Of
Bryant Junior High School in the
heart OF the 81. Peters commm.
lily SO we ~ least had a roof over
our heads for Sunday morning
services The large spacious par
sonage became the business head
quarters of the church and all
business meetings. choir rehear-
sails and prayer meetings were
held there
This arrangement was quito am
nnsri 10 fhn ntiirt fnr,il,. h,.lrr.