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On Sunday, June 24th, 40 St. Paul members took center stage in the sanctuary and were transformed into the St. Paul Actors and Actress Guild. This performance was presented in conjunction with the second quarter recognition of the 210th Church Anniversary Celebration.
This original dramatization entitled From Then Until Now, written and directed by Gloria Y. Turner was presented before 162 in attendance. The script was adapted from St. Paul's church history, which is recorded in its archives.
One of the narrators, Mrs. Carolyn Jeffers, began with the founding of the State of Maryland, the ratification by the United States Constitution, and the formation of Prince George's County. Mrs. Frances Suggs, the second narrator, eloquently placed us in several eras.
The Speech Choir, directed by Mrs. Jean Ivory, speaking in dialect, set the stage for St. Paul's beginning. They were instrumental in getting the word out to the field workers that "There's going to be a meeting and we can praise the Lord." The field workers, portrayed by Mrs. Joan Byrd, Mrs. Audrey Challenger, and Gloria Turner, hummed as they toiled in the fields, and Mrs. Sara Roberts sang the spiritual "Go Down, Moses" along with Ms. Gloria Turner.
Mr. Alexander Faison portrayed Ezekiel Cooper and delivered two sermons, as if it was that rainy day October 10, 1791 in a building on land located behind the current Oxon Hill Post Office. The cemetery is a landmark that remains there even today.
When the church property was in jeopardy the records had to be searched in Upper Marlboro, Brother Henry Hatton (Mr. Henry Varner), accompanied by his delegation, traveled to the Clerk's office to seek the true ownership of the St. Paul meeting house. The clerk (Mrs. Hortense Macon) delivered the unfavorable news.
Funds provided by the Freedmen's Bureau and land donated by Mr. Hatton enabled the people to erect a building to be used as both a school and church. This property was used until land was acquired at the present location. Master craftsmen laid the cornerstone in 1915. The craftsmen portrayed by Brothers Homer Johnson and Charles Fields praised God for the bricks and mortar as they placed the materials on a strong and solid foundation.
The Sunday School class scene was comprised of Georgina Thompson, George Thompson, Antoine Taylor, and Christina and Victoria Lyles as students with Mr. Alvin Cottman as their teacher. The lesson for the youth was to recite the "Lord's Prayer."
Music was provided by Mrs. Rothel Carter and volunteer choir members which took the play through the various eras.
Gloria Turner, portrayed a country bumpkin who had moved to New York and wanted to keep in touch with a cousin back home. She shared her life experience with them having moved to the "Big Apple." This was a humorous letter from beginning to end. She concluded that scene with a poem "Sence You Went Away."
St. Paul's Romeo and Juliet romance story was told by Vivian and Kevin West as they portrayed the young Rudolph and Thelma Tanner. Kevin was delighted, as he relived the character of his Godfather. He shared that Mr. Tanner gave him his first job.
Many ministers were named for their years of service and contributions. Christopher Cruz arrived on the scene as Rev. Shirkey, the former Associate Pastor of Oxon Hill UMC.
It was Reverend. & Mrs. Robert O. Johnson (Ernest and Judy Adams) and their daughter (Cari Adams) that served as a family of unity. Mrs. Johnson informed the women of the church that a Women's Organization was forming and she would preside as president. During Reverend Johnson's tenure, a new organ was purchased. Reverend Johnson asked his daughter to play his favorite hymn, Amazing Grace. Cari's soul stirring rendition on the organ lifted everyone to their feet.
The Speech Choir members, Jean Ivory, LaRuth Sexton, Rhutelia Black, Jivon Jackson and Larry Greer, changed the era of worship by wearing their finest churchgoing garments coming from some of the up-scale stores. They went on to say that even though times and resources had changed, they had not lost sight of God, as they have been abundantly blessed.
Brother Jacob Terrell, United Methodist Men President representing UMM, highlighted this year's Annual Men's Day July 15th and Crab Feast, July 20th.
Gloria Turner explained the purpose of the United Methodist Women's ministry and shared that a mission student from Wesley Theological Seminary had recently visited St. Paul during the Annual Women in White Service.
A few ministries initiated under Rev. Dr. Leonard R. Felton's tenure were: the Liturgical Dance Ministry, a vision of Mrs. Carol Jackson, the Women's Retreat, vision of Sister Betty Range, and the formation of the Young Adult Choir. The Liturgical Dance Ministry was represented by Wanda Lyles, Sheniqua Harris, April Pitts, Liz Bunn, Louise Greer, and Cari Adams lifted us with "Total Praise."
When the construction was completed, a weekend of praise along with the cornerstone was laid and a time capsule sealed. The new edifice opened to a "New Dawning." Reverend Dr. . Felton, District Superintendent, Reverend Robert Rodeffer, and Bishop Felton E. May led the congregation into the beautiful new sanctuary.
Reverend Martin L. McKenney served a few months as Interim Pastor, followed by the history making appointment of Reverend Mary Brown Oliver as St. Paul's first female pastor.
Rev. Mary Brown Oliver arrives in the form of Mrs. Eloise Russell, delivering a spiritual message entitled "The Paradox of Time." She concluded with "Let's go out and turn the world, right-side up. The program closed with "We've Come A Long Way."
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