Review: St. Paul A.M.E. 155th Celebration
[Written by Dale Butler]
On Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7.00pm, Centennial Hall at St. Paul A.M.E. was beautifully decorated with African art, white table cloths, and matching chairs for patrons celebrating the 155th anniversary of the church on Court and Victoria Street with a signature event.
Team leader Ms. Charlene Tyrrell was assisted by committee members Marionette Furbert, Dawn Simmons, June Pitt, Keitha Simmons, and Karen Hewey, who presented a flawless evening filled with history, entertainment, food [Kenny’s Kitchen] and “The Village Prays” written by host pastor Rev. Nicholas Genevieve-Tweed, who was an excellent host, confidently meeting patrons who would label the event as worthy of five stars.
I have been a St. Paul A.M.E. member all of my life and I have always highlighted the positive impact the church had on me, my family, and many others. Strong on scripture and explaining life’s challenges, the church gave us free additional training with parliamentary procedures, how to organize events, public speaking, and nine other skills evident from start to finish at this event.
The celebration leader of the night, Donna Lee Chandler-Smith, herself a graduate of the church, was eloquent and her comments were well received. The next shining light was Rev. Judith Gardner, who gave the prayer and blessing of the meal. We were then blessed with a virtuoso on the steel pan, Paul Smith, who performed:
- Here I Am to Worship [Smith] and
- Amen [Grace Thrillers]
Chelsea Mc Norton has a euphonious voice and sang with confidence:
- Deliver Me [Lawrence]
- My Redeemer Lives [Mullen]. She has a bright future.
If Marc Telemaque gave the complete history of the church, we would be still there. He chose instead to give us the gas that kept the church going: faith, resilience, community spirit, and fellowship, anchored to two thoughtful quotes:
Langston Hughes [1901-1967]:
“Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.”
The audience agreed and lit up when Mr. Telemaque quoted the late St. Paul A.M.E. Sunday School teacher Randolph Hayward who regularly chimed, “run the race well.” The committee had followed his advice, but there were four events to come:
- Nicole Fox and the ever popular radio star Nakita Robinson were outstanding when they performed to “Gracefully Broken” [Cobb]
- Charlene Tyrrell, team leader, thanked her committee and highlighted the skills the church had a reputation of teaching to ensure the success of events.
- The celebration medley by veteran musicians Miles Manders [saxophone] and Eugene Joell [guitar] was well received, leaving the powerful “Village Prays” that recalled ancestors, faith, and memories.
Congratulations St. Paul A.M.E. You thanked the troops and A.M.E. ministerial staff present and energized all of us with the power to tackle serious concerns that we have never seen before. On Sunday, September 21, Pastor Tweed in his sermon reminded us that “we have the power” and this event proved it.
To God be the glory. Give thanks.
- Dale Butler was the last St. Paul A.M.E. Sunday School Scholarship recipient when you had to pay school fees for your education. The scholarship enabled him to pay his fees for The Berkeley Institute. He credits the church leaders and members for being very instrumental in his development and was very pleased with the high quality of the event and the emphasis placed on African dress and art.
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