A Century and Counting on Washington Avenue
St. Paul AME Church stands at 336 Washington Avenue in Glencoe, Illinois, near the village's commuter rail line and a short walk from Lake Michigan. Founded in 1884, the congregation celebrated its 135th anniversary in August 2019 with a multi-day homecoming that included a Friends and Family Day, an anniversary gala, a worship celebration, and a reunion choir that drew past members back to the sanctuary. More than 140 years after the first worship service, the church still gathers every Sunday morning around Sunday School, prayer, and praise.
St. Paul belongs to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest African American Methodist denominations in the country. The church's annual vision, "In Pursuit of Greater: Maximizing God's Blessings for His Glory," is rooted in John 14:12, where Jesus promises that his followers will do greater works than he did. That biblical horizon shapes a congregation that takes both its African American heritage and its local Glencoe presence seriously.
Sunday Mornings at 10
Sunday School opens at 8:45 a.m. for every age group. At 9:45 a.m. the sanctuary fills with a Praise & Worship hour, and at 10:00 a.m. the full Sunday service begins. Services are also livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person, and the church's weekly rhythm is "song, word, and prayer."
An "I'm New" guide walks first-time visitors through how, where, and when to worship, and a Connection Team is stationed to welcome newcomers from the moment they walk in the door.
The Voices of Joy Choir
Music is the heartbeat of Sunday morning. The Voices of Joy Choir leads the congregation in praise each week, and a "lifestyle of worship is exemplified" in the choir's ministry. Choir membership is open to anyone who has "a heart for worship," and the church is actively seeking singers to "come alongside" the existing ensemble.
The Reunion Choir tradition was on full display at the 135th anniversary in 2019, when former choir members and visitors came back for a special worship celebration. That same tradition carries through to a summer Praise Celebration concert that brings the broader community into the building for an afternoon of gospel music and fellowship directed by Darrin Rose and featuring Rose & Company.
Pastor Celona D. Hayes Adebayo, Esq.
The current pastor is Reverend Celona D. Hayes Adebayo, Esq. Her path to St. Paul began in Chicago, the daughter of retired Marine Gerald O. Hayes and Patsy A. Hayes. Childhood travels took the family to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Japan before they settled back in Chicago. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1997, earned her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 2004, and completed her Master of Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2017.
She was ordained that same year by Bishop John F. White of the Fourth Episcopal District of the AME Church. Before coming to St. Paul, she served as pastor of Lewis Chapel AME Church in Albion, Michigan from 2020 to 2023. She was married to Mr. Olaniyi Adebayo on November 25, 2023. Outside of parish ministry, she serves as a Civil Prosecutor for the City of Gary, Indiana, and holds law licenses in Illinois and Indiana.
Her mission is "to radiate Christ's love, peace, and joy, offering hope and inspiration to all," and she is "deeply devoted to the love of Jesus Christ." Her faith drives her to stand "alongside those on Main Street rather than the corridors of Wall Street, striving for justice, fairness, and compassion."
She was preceded at St. Paul by Reverend Katrese Kirk McKenzie, who is remembered in the church's 2022 Lenten preaching as "our very own Pastor Katrese Kirk McKenzie."
Ushers, Hospitality, and the Welcome Team
Three teams make Sunday morning work. The Connection Team serves as the first point of contact, helping members and visitors move from the front door into the life of the church. The Ushers take Psalm 84:10 as their charge: "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." They greet worshippers, hand out bulletins, and quietly handle the behind-the-scenes preparation for each weekly service.
The Hospitality Team brings meals to life at programs, special events, and services throughout the year. Their goal is that people "experience Jesus' tangible love through their service." Together, the three teams handle the door, the sanctuary, and the table.
Men's and Women's Associations
The Men's Association is open to all male members, friends, family, and visitors of any age. It sponsors the annual Emmitt King BBQ - a longtime community fixture tied to the Friends and Family Day - along with a family bowling event and a Men's Retreat Weekend. The association gathers men for spiritual activities and fellowship.
The Women's Association centers on the lives of women in the church at every age and life stage. The ministry focuses on encouragement, support, prayer, and helping each woman grow in her walk with God. Seasonal gatherings include the Lenten "March Gladness" preaching series, with sermons by guest preachers on themes such as "Resilient Women: Fortifide for the Fight" from Psalm 144:1. During Women's History Month the congregation celebrates "Women of Worth" and worships in "chucks and pearls" on Sunday morning.
Children, Youth, and the Young People Department
Sunday School at 8:45 a.m. is the foundation for the church's ministry with children. Beyond the classroom, the Young People Department (YPD), a division of the Women's Missionary Society, leads missionary projects throughout the year and helps young scholars learn more about the AME Church, joining church ministries, leadership, and tithing.
Family events dot the calendar. Each December the church hosts a Christmas Party for the youth and their families, with gifts, food, and activities for the children. The annual "Be a Buddy" Sunday teaches children and youth how to stand up against bullying and become a positive influence in their schools.
The P.A.T.H. Prayer Line
St. Paul's prayer ministry centers on the weekly P.A.T.H. Prayer Line, which meets by phone every Monday at 6:00 p.m. Prayer requests submitted to the church are prayed over for thirty days. Praise reports - stories of what the Lord has done - are also shared on the line. Prayer request cards are available at every weekly service and in the church office.
Stewardship: In Pursuit of Greater
The church's annual stewardship campaign carries the theme "In Pursuit of Greater: Maximizing God's Blessings for His Glory." Stewardship is broader than money. It is the use of time, talent, and treasure, and the ongoing conversation about how the gifts of the Spirit inform giving and sharing at St. Paul.
Members can give online through Givelify, by ACH giving, through legacy giving, or by mailing a pledge form to the church office. The campaign culminates in Commitment Sunday each January, followed by a Celebration Service at the end of August honoring those who have kept their vows and funded their pledges.
Annual Gatherings and the Wider Community
Throughout the year, St. Paul hosts events that gather members, neighbors, and visitors from across the region. The Praise Celebration brings a guest choir or ensemble into the sanctuary for an afternoon of gospel music supporting the church's ongoing restoration. The Jubilee preaching series, the March Gladness Lenten services, the Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, the Friends and Family Day and Emmitt King BBQ, and the "Be a Buddy" anti-bullying Sunday are all part of the annual rhythm.
At the Church on Washington Avenue
St. Paul AME Church is located at 336 Washington Avenue in Glencoe, Illinois, 60022. Sunday School begins at 8:45 a.m., Praise & Worship at 9:45 a.m., and the full Sunday service at 10:00 a.m. Services are also livestreamed. The church office can be reached at 847-835-4421 (fax 847-835-3861) or admin@stpaulameglencoe.org. The church maintains a Facebook presence and an Instagram account at @stpaulamec_glencoe, where announcements and the calendar of events are posted.