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In 1906, African American members of three Texas districts within the Primitive Baptist Church expressed desire to build an institute of higher education for their communities. In 1919, trustees Thornton Carter (1858-1941), Arthur Randolph Foreman (1885-1944), Rev. Samuel M. Britt (1889-1956) and Lee Wilder Thomas (1873-1953) purchased 76.5 acres of land northwest of Mexia. After some difficulty getting started, St. Paul Primitive Baptist College was incorporated in 1924. The trustees secured a loan from Mexia businessman Julius Nussbaum (1856-1935) and construction began on a two-story red brick classroom and dormitory building. The school was completed in February 1929, and the doors opened in September. The Rev. E.M. Cooper served as the first dean. Teachers included Edith J. Boston, Joanne Cooper, Maggie Pulliam, Janie Stout and P.M. Williams.
Every student was required to do both classroom and laboratory-based work. St. Paul taught several different types of courses, including the core academic subjects, and also vocational subjects such as carpentry. Due to its affiliation with the Primitive Baptist Church, the school featured religious training and an annual weeklong revival hosted by area Primitive Baptist Church leaders. In addition to classrooms and laboratory spaces, St. Paul had boys and girls dormitories and athletic facilities for a football team. After World War II, Carter’s son Elijah secured federal subsidies for cabinet making and shoe repair instruction for veterans. Throughout its existence, St. Paul struggled financially, and the school closed for good in 1953. Although the main building was demolished around 1980, the school’s legacy could be seen for many decades through the skills of St. Paul graduates. (2022) |
