It’s an exciting time at the “new” St. Paul. After more than three years, we returned to our beloved church home on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3 p.m. for our re-opening worship service.
The Reverend Tammy Harris-Banks, pastor of St. Paul AME Church, led the majestic leadership team in the sanctuary, looking royal in white robes and marched into the sanctuary filled with more than 300 worshippers, also adorned in white. It looked like a sea of white signifying a new beginning. The music ministry, under the direction of Fred Butler, IV, accompanied by musician Marvin Lockhart, raised harmonious voices to the heavens. And the Reverend Dr. April Hearn, pastor of Zion City of Praise, preached a powerful, celebratory message. Her sermonic title was so appropriate for our church “Hurry, Hurry, Come and See What God has Done!” We were blessed with a spirit filled and anointed worship service.
Numerous building maintenance issues had kept our church doors closed since November 2020. Every time we thought it was time for us to return, it was “not yet.” While waiting for God’s timing, we continued to glorify God while worshipping at St. Paul AME Grosse Pointe Park with Pastor Jeff Baker and his congregation. While we greatly appreciated their welcoming spirit, kindness, and generous hospitality, our church family desired to return home.
Since the insurance claims had already been settled for our church, we had to participate in our own deliverance. As the Bible teaches us, “Faith without works is dead.” Pastor Tammy, as her congregants affectionately call her, said, “Let’s pray church and ask God to lead us. We will not return to our church until we hear from God with his plan.” So, after praying and seeking God’s direction, we moved forward with a phased approach to restore and renovate our church. Our theme was “Restore, Revive, and Reignite.” We launched a capital campaign to raise $50,000. This amount would allow the contractors to make the repairs necessary to enable us to return to our church home. As a church family, we prayed for every contractor to do the work in a manner that honored God, and that every repair and restoration would function as intended, from the new boiler to the radiators and beyond. We prayed and asked God to send the right people for whatever work was needed.
Prior to our initially scheduled day of January 16th to fire up the boiler to restore the heat, our church family prayed at noon and 6 p.m. for three straight days. We needed God to hear God’s people trusting and believing in God’s most Holy word. While waiting expectantly, we worshipped, we served the community, and we kept the faith in God’s word! Despite our disappointments, tears, and delays, we still believed in God. God didn’t bring us this far to leave us. The big day arrived, and the contractors for the boiler and the plumber were at the church on Thursday, January 16, 2025, to fire up the boiler. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! The boiler worked, and we had to wait 36 hours for the heat to permeate through the church. Won’t He Do it! Pastor Tammy reminded us of how we kept the faith and could claim the promises of God.
Well, it’s been over a month since we’ve been back at 2260 Hunt Street, or as we call it, “the new St. Paul.” We had our first Holy Communion at the altar since 2021, our first Café St. Paul breakfast returned on April 6, 2025, our choir has been lifting their voices from the loft, and most importantly, our anointed pastor, the Rev. Tammy Harris-Banks, has preached God’s word from a beautiful regal pulpit. So many firsts for us since we’ve returned home, including three new members to our church family. We thank God for God’s goodness, grace, and mercy. We’ve got a story to tell! We’re excited to serve God and God’s people from the new St. Paul AME, and we have yet to see what God has in store for those who are faithful. Thank you, Lord!
Submitted by: Cynthia Spencer
Which state is St Paul in?
I was attempting to determine the same.
Michigan