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ARTICLE XII
VALENA C. JONES CHURCH AND GULFS IDE ASSEMBLY
Valena Cecilia MacArthur was born in Bay St. Louis August 3,	1872
and died in New Orleans January 3,	1917.
Her father, Eldridge MacArthur, and mother, Henretta Knight MacArthur, were well-known in the community during their lifetimes.
Eldridge MacArthur served as Postmaster, Tax Assessor and Postal Inspector. He and his wife were among the founders of the Methodist Church in Bay St. Louis.
Miss MacArthur received her university education in New Orleans and graduated from Straight University May 25,	1892 as leader of her class.
She had taught brief periods in rural Hancock County and immediately upon graduation, she was elected Principal of the Colored Public School of Bay St. Louis, which was later named for her.
In 1894 she began teaching in New Orleans at McDonogh 25, when Prof. Warren Easton was Superintendent of New Orleans schools and taught there until her marriage to Bishop Robert E. Jones January 2,	1901.
She had received a city-wide prize as the most popular colored public school teacher and later the largest Elementary Colored Public School was named for her. She was a remarkable woman.
Records show that St. Paul Methodist Church was built in 1882 under the leadership and direction of the late Rev. D. H. Flowers, pastor, and trustees 0. Whaley, Sr., Oliver T. Meggs, W. Kelley and John Marshal1.
The increasing membership and expanding church program attracted the attention of Bishop Jones and plans were made to purchase more adequate space .
The present building was erected on the site purchased and dedicated to the sacred memory of Mrs. Valena MacArthur Jones. It was built and dedicated for worship in 1926, under the leadership of the late Bishop Robert E. Jones, Chm. Rev. A. L. Holland, and trustees R. J. Squires, F. Fox, A. Bennett, E. Lee, J. W. Hclmes, D. Robinson and W. Daniels.
Over the years the membership has worked faithfully to maintain the church and support its program. In 1982 a program for expansion was initiated and a special Homecoming Celebration was held that drew many former members from a distance. The Rev. Arthur C. Lewis, Jr. is serving as Pastor at the present time.
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