About St. Paul's

A bible-believing church, it is our desire to minister spiritually ro the people of this community. God has blessed us with physical facilities that enable us to meet the needs of infants through senior citizens. Our doors are open to all people.

As you enter the quaint town of Port Republic you may notice a steeple stretching into the heavens. This massive white structure, with breath-taking stained glass windows is a testimonial to the history of Christianity in this small town. Methodism began here in 1796 after the local preaching of the first Methodist Bishop, Sir Francis Asbury. One young man named Nehemiah Blackman, of Scullville, converted to Methodism under Bishop Asbury. Later he married Miss Sarah Smith of Port Republic. In his will in 1806, her father, Captain Micajah Smith donated the land where the Methodist Society built the Smith Meeting House and Burial Ground. The 25 square foot building was unadorned, unheated and had tin candles for light. Its membership grew, and in the winter time services were held in the upper chamber in Nehemiah Blackman’s house, which was located near the dam on the east side of Mill Road. The old Methodist burial ground can be found near the present bathing beach in Port Republic. There the graves of Micajah Smith and his two wives can be found.

In 1837 several small hamlets decided to unite and build a church. These areas were Brotherton (Clarks Mills), Doughberry Hill, Chestnut Neck, Johnson town, Turner town, Wrangleboro, and Hewitt town. They bought an acre of land from Felix Adams and built a two story brick church facing on what is now Main Street. This building was located at the western end of the present Methodist Cemetery. The bricks for the building were made locally and the cornerstone of that church, Union Chapel, can be found in the vestibule of the present church. This modest building served the community until 1870 when the church we know as St. Paul's United Methodist Church was constructed.

The current church building was planned and its construction supervised by one of the ministers, Mr. H. F. Randolph. Many history books have titled our church "The Christmas Church" due to its picturesque ambience. The bell which is over 130 years old chimes every Sunday morning with a crisp clear tone of years past. If you sit in one of the original pews in the sanctuary on the second floor of the church, you might imagine a time when some of the leaders of the church would sit on either side facing the pulpit shouting their amen’s in agreement of a preacher’s message. Today a platform on the left side of the pulpit holds the members of St. Paul’s praise band and singers. They shout their amen’s in tune as they lead the congregation in contemporary praise songs and wonderful old hymns.

While resting in one of the pews you can gaze at the morning or evening light coming through those lovely stained glass windows. Here you will feel a sense of peace and rest knowing that this place of worship has been loved by generations of people who came here to sing and to cry, to pray and to listen, to laugh and to serve Jesus Christ.

Pastor Chet is currently our 56th pastor.

Genesis 1:1,26,27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14

About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He was born of the Virgin Mary by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless life and offered Himsself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:18,22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; I Corinthians 15:3,4;
Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9,11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He convinces the world of sin and makes mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He leads mankind, through a positive response to the gospel, into the fellowship of the Church. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; John 14:16,17; I Corinthians 2:12,3:16; Ephesians 1:13;
Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

About The Bible
The Bible is God's word to all mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth fo Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160,12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Mankind
We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God's creation. Although mankind has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by the attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. Mankind is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil, which separates us from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2

About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to mankind. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About Sanctification
Sanctification is initiated at the moment of salvation. From that moment on the believer walks with God and daily grows in grace and in more perfect obedience to God. A believer grows to the place where they must let God have full control over their lives. When a person is sanctified the Holy Spirit empowers them to not have to sin.

I Thessalonians 5:23,24; I Peter 15:16; John 14:15,16; Matthew 3:11; John 17:17-20 Romans 12:1,2

About The Church
The Church is the community of all true believers under the leadership of Jesus Christ. It is the place where the Word of God is preached and the sacraments are administered. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the Church exists to exalt God, to equip believers for ministry and ot evangelize to the world.

Psalm 99:5; Acts 2:40-47; Matthews 28:18-20; John 17:1-26; Ephesians 4:11-16

About Eternity
We all were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell. Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God.

John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15 (Hell); Matthew 25:41; Revelation 21:27 (Heaven)

Our Vision
Our vision is to be a biblically functioning community of believers so that Christ redemptive purposes can be accomplished in the world.

Purpose Statement
To Exalt God, To Equip the Church, and To Evangelize the World.


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