By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
Raleigh, NC – September 29, 2025, one hundred and sixty years to the day after a pivotal gathering that shaped the future of African Americans in North Carolina, St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church hosted a moving ceremony to unveil a "upgraded" historic marker in a new, rightful location next to the church. The event, attended by former Governor and US Senate Candidate Roy Cooper, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, State Senator Dan Blue, and many others, brought together community members to reflect on the legacy of the 1865 Freedmen's Convention and celebrate its enduring impact. The original marker, H-109, had been erected in 2004 on Hillsborough Street. However, a successful petition led to its relocation to the very grounds where the convention took place, in front of St. Paul A.M.E. Church at 402 West Edenton St. The new marker now bears the name of the church and the years 1865 and 1866, solidifying its historical connection to this sacred ground.
The ceremony began with a powerful address that transported attendees back to September 29, 1865. St. Paul Historian Melody Hunter-Pillion painted a vivid picture of the 160 African American men from eastern North Carolina who assembled at the church, "ready...with a great intellectual capacity, with definitive plans for themselves and their families." These delegates, some literate, others not, converged with a shared vision: to secure constitutional rights – the right to testify in court, to vote in elections, and to serve on a jury. The speaker emphasized the profound faith that guided these newly freed people. "Our God who will, and who had delivered them from bondage, would see them through in the next phase of their journey," Hunter-Pillion proclaimed. Attendees were urged to imagine the scene: people charting their future, supported by the St. Paul community.
The crucial role of the St. Paul congregation in facilitating this historic convention was highlighted. The church, which began as an offshoot of the Edenton Street Methodist Church, was built on land purchased with their assistance. The women of St. Paul, including Narcissa Ellison, were recognized for their tireless efforts in preparing meals, raising funds for the convention, and supporting educational initiatives at a time when reading and writing were forbidden to their people. Ellison, an "incredible foundress" for the church and community, was also the wife of Stewart Ellison, a Wake County delegate who later became construction manager for the church's first building.
While the 1865 proceedings took place at this site, it was in St. Paul's first wooden structure. An 1866 Chicago Church Newspaper article described it as "a plain, white church with a floor of foundation for about 300 persons, and a gallery accommodation for about 100 more." A striking detail was the "large, elegant, and light like plaster of Paris bust of Mr. Lincoln." This initial building, moved by torchlight in 1853 by enslaved St. Paul members, symbolized their immense pride and determination. The convention's resolutions were read aloud, a powerful reminder of the fundamental rights sought: education, care for the elderly, family protection, assistance in reuniting families separated by slavery, the right to work for fair wages, the right to vote, the right to self-defense, and the deletion of racially discriminatory laws. These resolutions were formally presented to the Constitutional Convention and the State Legislature, which opened on the same day.
On October 3, 1865, the final day of the convention, St. Paul received heartfelt thanks from the delegates. The resolution read: "Resolved that the members of the convention...returned their heart and sincere thanks to the citizens and the members of the church for the hospitable manner in which they have been entertained." The ceremony continued with a moving prayer led by Presiding Elder A. Qismat Alim, who acknowledged God's presence and unconditional love, a love felt by their ancestors in 1865 and 1866. The prayer emphasized the church as the "big prize of true liberation" and called for continued struggle against oppression, until the day when "there will be no need to study war."
The Reverend Dr. Larry McDonald, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, extended a warm welcome to all. "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," he declared, expressing gratitude for the day despite the rain, noting that "above the clouds, the sun still shines." He emphasized the joy of celebrating "what God has already done, what he's yet doing, and the things that are going to come."
The unveiling of the marker itself was a poignant moment, symbolizing a physical representation of a deeply significant historical event finally being placed in its true context. The event served as a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the post-Civil War era and the crucial role St. Paul A.M.E. Church played in advocating for their fundamental rights. The new marker will stand as a beacon, educating future generations about the unwavering faith, resilience, and determination of those who laid the groundwork for justice and equality in North Carolina.
