“Can a church be a beacon of hope?” an old woman once asked me as we stood in the shadow of Saint Pauls African Methodist Episcopal Church. You could say that question has stayed with me ever since. And standing here, in front of Saint Pauls African Methodist Episcopal Church, I think you can see how the answer is a resounding “yes”.
Saint Pauls African Methodist Episcopal Church is more than just a beautiful building. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of the African American community here in New Orleans. A community that has known its share of hardship, but also an immense capacity for joy, for resilience, and for unwavering faith.