St. Paul AME Zion Church was the first black church in the town of Aurora, established in 1903. It's first location was on the former Colored Folks Street, which is now 5th street. The little wooden hut sat on a small plot of land that was donated to black people by the white people in town. The little wooden hut never had a cornerstone. By the year 1915, Dinah Cooper Roundtree and her family attended church there, among others in the community. By the 1920's a storm came and the little hut was blown down. A few members began to hold church from one house to another and that plot of land on 5th street was soon sold to people moving into town. With proceeds from the sale of that land the members bought a nice lot on railroad street, which is the present location of St. Paul. There the second structure was built under the leadership of Bishop Martin and Pastor Samuel L. Manuel. The wooden structure was never painted and atop the church stood a small steeple with a bell inside.
At the front entrance pillar, a cornerstone was laid. St. Paul grew in spirit and in membership. The church was on the same circuit as the former Mount Zion of Royal and Cedar Grove of Idelia. Down through the early years, the 30's, 40's and 50's there were many faithful members. Just to name a few; the late Bro. Gilbert Dudley, Oscar Adams, Luther Roland, Charles Hardin and the Honorable, Professor S. W. Snowden, Principal and founder of S. W. Snowden School in Aurora. They served as stewards and trustees under the leadership of Pastor Hays, Presiding Elder S. F. Faulkner and Bishop Hampton T. Medford.
The years continued to slip by and the storms kept coming. The second building was all but destroyed by a heavy windstorm. The building was left standing but leaning. Then came Rev. Cofield Simmons, under the great Bishop William A. Stewart. Rev. Simmons had a great vision for the church. He wanted to build a better structure and laid the foundation for what is the current St. Paul and moved on. Next came Rev. DE Covington under Presiding Elder WC Cook. Though it was a long hard struggle the cement block structure remained unfinished. Other Pastors followed, the Rev. Blount and the Rev. Eddie Tootle. It wasn't until the late 1960's that the current building was completed. Another great man of God was sent, in the name of Re. US Spence. The presiding Elder was Dr. JA Balbington Johnson from West Africa.
A special thanks to the late Bro. Tobe Robertson, a great carpenter and to Deacon Zollie Moore, a great brick mason. The wall was finished and the building completed in July 1966. The church grew more and functioned in all boards under other great Bishops, Presiding Elders and Pastors, like Bishop Alfred C. Dunston, Bishop Herman L. Anderson, Bishop George E. Battle and Bishop Richard Keith Thompson; Presiding Elders OR Ellis, Jeremiah Asbury, Joseph L. Walton, Avery C. Brown and former Pastors Rev. Fred Teele, Rev. John Burton, Rev. Jean Anderson (St. Paul's first female Pastor), Rev. Cox, Rev. Larry Murphy, Rev. Gary Foskey, Rev. Alberta Waters and Rev. Katie Chapman.
In January 2007 Rev. Dr. Laticia Hill Godette was sent. She was on fire for God and ready to work. When Rev. Godette arrived there were five members; Mrs. Estelle Roland (now deceased), Mr. and Mrs. James Parker, Mrs. Alvania Moore and Mrs. Glenoria Jennette. But in 2011 yet another storm came and devastated the church again. This time by a great flood. Under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Laticia Hill Godette, the church was renovated at the cost approximately $125,000. A small business loan was secured and with donations from individuals and the North Carolina Conference the church was renovated.
In December 2012 another great Pastor on fire for God was sent in the name of Rev. Lynn Stiles Godette. Yes, another Godette and we are anticipating wonderful things in the name of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The faithful members of St. Paul are still here; Mr. and Mrs. James Parker, Mrs. Alvania Moore and Mrs. Glenoria Jennette.
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