SMOKY HOLLOW COMMUNITY
St. Paul is an entry point into the Smoky Hollow community. Smoky Hollow existed prior to the Civil War as a developing Black community north and west of the State Capitol Building in Raleigh, as shown in the 1872 Birds Eye View map. The area centered around the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad roundhouse, its rails laid by enslaved labor. Prior to emancipation, free Black people lived and worked near the rail repair shops as train hands, laborers, and car builders. During Reconstruction a community of working class African Americans thrived and developed a support system. St. Paul is the gateway to Smoky Hollow and its rich history of people and culture.
Today, St. Paul continues to be a leader and advocate for the community, anchoring one entrance to what used to be the historic Smoky Hollow neighborhood. The church and Gothic Revival architecture symbolize the ongoing message that the African American community is still here and the spirit of resilience survives at 420 W. Edenton Street.
