Faith, Family & Community in the Heart of Bronzeville

St. Paul Church of God in Christ is a historic Bronzeville church rooted in faith, family, service, and the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. From worship and spiritual formation to community development and workforce opportunity, St. Paul continues to serve as a place where generations are welcomed, strengthened, and prepared to walk in purpose.

For generations, St. Paul has been more than a church building on Wabash Avenue. It has been a spiritual home, a community anchor, and a place where faith is lived through worship, service, compassion, and action.

At St. Paul, we believe the church is called to meet people where they are and help them move toward who God has called them to become. Whether you are seeking prayer, a church home, ministry connection, or community support, you are welcome here.

Worship With Us

Join us for worship, fellowship, and the Word of God. St. Paul welcomes families, neighbors, longtime members, and first-time visitors into a church community grounded in love, holiness, and service.

Our Legacy

Founded on Chicago’s South Side, St. Paul carries a deep legacy of faith leadership, civic engagement, and community care. The church’s history includes service to families, advocacy for opportunity, and a continued commitment to uplifting the whole community.

Community in Action

Through St. Paul Community Development Ministries, our mission reaches beyond Sunday service. The church-affiliated community development work supports career readiness, pre-apprenticeship training, mentorship, and pathways into union construction careers.

Entrance gate to Saint Paul Church of God in Christ, with a large black sign displaying the church's name, a Bible verse from Romans 15:7, and service schedule. The church building with a white steeple is visible in the background, surrounded by gree
The image shows a church building with a tall white steeple, surrounded by trees and a mostly empty parking lot under a clear blue sky.
A large brick building with multiple windows and an entrance, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn, with potted plants and a small fenced area in front, and a large evergreen tree on the left side of the image.
Apartment building with a brick exterior, green shrubs, and trees in front, featuring a black fence and metal wind chimes hanging from a tree.
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Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford

Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford represents the third generation of Ford family leadership at St. Paul Church of God in Christ. As the grandson of Bishop Louis Henry Ford and the son of the late Bishop Charles Mason Ford, Pastor Ford continues a legacy rooted in faith, service, civic responsibility, workforce development, and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Before becoming Pastor, Kevin Anthony Ford served as Executive Assistant to Bishop Charles Mason Ford and Assistant Pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ. He accepted his call to ministry and was publicly ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ, First Jurisdiction of Illinois, on March 25, 2000. After years of faithful service, he was installed as Pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ in 2018 under the auspices of the First Jurisdiction of Illinois, officiated by Bishop Ocie Booker.

Pastor Ford is also a dedicated advocate for community and economic development. He serves as President of St. Paul Church of God in Christ Community Development Ministries, Inc., where his leadership has helped strengthen workforce development, career readiness, restorative justice, conflict resolution, and pre-apprenticeship training efforts. Under his leadership, SPCDM has continued preparing underrepresented individuals for entry into U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the skilled trades.

His professional background includes a 30-year career with Cook County, beginning with a high school summer position and growing into leadership roles within the Criminal Courts, Department of Corrections, Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, and Bureau of Administration Planning Department. This experience shaped his commitment to public service, workforce access, and community-centered leadership.

Pastor Ford has served on numerous advisory and workforce-related bodies, including the Illinois African American Employment Plan Advisory Council, the Illinois State Apprenticeship Committee & Conference, the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Equity Task Force, and the Chicago Transit Authority’s diversity and disadvantaged business enterprise advisory efforts. He has also been recognized for his advocacy on behalf of labor unions, underrepresented workers, religious institutions, and communities seeking equitable access to opportunity.

Guided by the Ford family motto, “No man stood so tall as to stoop to help a child and fallen humanity,” Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford continues to lead St. Paul with a commitment to preaching the Gospel, serving humanity, strengthening community institutions, and expanding pathways to dignity, opportunity, and hope.

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A man in a black suit and glasses points at a black and white photograph of a historic building displayed on a wall in an art gallery or museum.
Two men, one sitting at a desk and the other standing next to him, in an office setting. The man standing is wearing a black suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, with his hand resting on the back of the seated man's chair. The seated man is wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and light-colored tie, and is holding glasses in his hand.

The Legacy of Presiding Bishop Louis Henry Ford

Faith is the Foundation. Community is the Calling. Opportunity is the Impact.

We welcome you to connect with St. Paul Church of God in Christ for worship, prayer, ministry information, community resources, and opportunities to serve.

Whether you are looking for a church home, seeking spiritual support, interested in community development resources, or exploring workforce training opportunities, St. Paul invites you to reach out.