Our History

Our History

Est. 1889

In The St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church was birthed out of Cable Mission. Our church was organized in the year of our Lord 1889, At the request of the members, a council, along with the people of the Clay Street Mission in the year of 1889 organized the Clay Street Baptist Church and called as their first pastor, Rev.W.W. Craighead. After the death of Rev. Craighead. the church moved to Cable and Washington Street and changed its name to Cable Baptist Church. We were blessed with many souls.

The church later moved to 119 South Hancock Street in the year of our Lord 1921. We had many pastors, Rev. G.P. White was extended a call on July 1, 1948.

Rev. White suggested a plan of work to the church that worked tremendously. He served as herald of the flock for 18½ years. Rev. White retired in 1965 and became pastor emeritus.

Rev. D.R. Whitlock was our next pastor, under his leadership many things were done. A new edifice was built and paid for. Rev. Whitlock resigned in September of 1982. His work well done. He served for 17½ years. Rev. Dennis V. Lyons was called on May 14, 1983. He redecorated the church, purchased speakers for our organ, membership increased greatly, baptized many received many by letters, statement, also restored many. A Street Revival was held September 26 - September 30, 1984. Rev. Dennis V. Lyons was called May 14, 1983 to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 728 East Lampton Street, Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Dennis V. Lyons and family also became members of St, Paul Baptist Church. Rev. Lyons contribution to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church has been the establishment of a Clothes Closet for those in need: the Youth Department: Junior Usher Board: Starlites: and improvements in our sanctuary, such as a new organ.

The radio broadcast ministry which is broadcast on W.D.G.S. and W.LO.U. radio stations is highly proclaimed in the community. "Gospel In My Soul" program and live broadcast of Sunday morning worship service at 11:30 p.m. which reaches a widespread audience in the community.

In 1990, after having served in denominational work in multiple essential capacities and three churches as pastor for more than three decades, Rev. Dr. Lincoln N. Bingham was extended the call to serve as the pastor of the Historic St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Under Pastor Bingham’s leadership, structure shifted, care and Christian Education was prioritized, a multi-ministry building and sanctuary expansion accomplished. Under the leadership of Pastor Bingham, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church became apart of the Southern Baptist Convention and in 2009, Rev. Bingham led St. Paul to relocate from their beloved Lampton St. church property to 2627 Crums Ln. merging with the Shively Heights Baptist Church.

The Merger Story

In March of 2009, Pastor Lincoln Bingham (St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church) and Pastor Mark Payton (Shively Heights Baptist Church) sat down for a conversation. Being friends for over 20 years, sitting down to converse with one another was an ordinary practice but by the time Pastor’s Bingham and Payton parted ways on that day, the seed to merge, mix ministries, free up finances, combine congregations; ultimately birthing a new church that would be a unified witness for Christ had been planted. This new church would be better equipped, resourced and strengthened to continue in missions and ministry. This new church would intentionally prepare to reach future generations and this new church possessed the capacity to reach the changing community. As important as all of that is, what was most important is that this new church would aim to glorify God.

At 11:00 a.m. on August 23, 2009, just a few short months after the initial conversation, with a reported 600 plus people in attendance the two churches had become one. Less than 50 years prior to the birth of this new church Rev. Dr. Martin Luther KingJr., said, “I think it is one of the tragedies of our nation, one of the shameful tragedies that eleven o’ clock on Sunday morning is one of the most segregated hours if not the most segregated hours in Christian America.” On that great day, at 2627 Crums Lane in Shively, Kentucky (once a nationally known sundown town) during the eleven o’ clock hour there was a Christian church in America being integrated. The name of that new church would be St. Paul Baptist Church @ Shively Heights Inc.

It was reported that the new church was birthed with 318 members. Another report suggest that this new church would grow by 132 members during her first 18 months. However, within the last fourteen going on fifteen years so much has changed. The church grew in wisdom and age but like many other churches struggled to draw, engage and keep active and energetic children, youth and young families. Resources declined and a significant mortgage debt was still present and many cosmetic, structural and technology updates needed to be made. Approximately three years into the life of this young church, Pastor Payton would be called to serve a church in another part of Kentucky and at 81 years of age with over six decades of pastoral ministry behind him, Pastor Bingham was left to serve as the lone pastor and he served faithfully up to the time of his retirement and beyond. We praise God for both Pastor and Sis. Bingham.

A New Season

On the third Sunday in the month of September of the year 2019 after a seven month pastoral search the then ten year old church called Deryk Hayes of Rockford, IL to become her next pastor.

Pastor Hayes and his family relocated from Illinois to Kentucky in January of 2020. Less than two weeks after the pastoral installation the city would experience a long and continuous season of civil unrest and the world would find itself in a global pandemic. In addition to all of that our church was experiencing all of the blessings and burdens that come with pastoral transition. The world, this country, our city and even the local church would be forever changed. In it all, we have seen God at work, we are a testament of His sustaining power and we have been comforted by the Holy Spirit. On the first Sunday of Advent, 2025 we moved into a different and more manageable facility, free of debt, with a reignited desire to carry out meaningful ministry. Our vision is to be LIGHT (literacy, innovation, generosity, hospitality and theology) and our theme is RECLAIMING OUR IDENTITY!

We the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church family will continue to intentionally be a body of believers committed to growing, going and glowing by the grace of God for the glory of God!