St. James A.M.E. Church was organized in 1876 in a one-room house occupied by Hamilton Giles (The Minnesota Historical Society records state that St. James A.M.E. Church started in 1870). The founders were Daniel Harding, J.A. Henry, Addie Belesene, Elizabeth Bannister, Charles Lazenberry, Charles Williams, Virginia Howard, Belle Calton, Electra Liggins, Hamilton Giles, Thomas A. Lyles, Amanda Lyles, Belle Lazenberry, Columbus Waldon, Mary Mclain, J. Armstrong, Anna Moffit, William Quinn, Sarra Hilyard, J.H. Jacobs, Samuel Bean, J.L. Hilyard, Hilda Giles and Richard Taylor.

The first location was at Seventh and Robert Streets. The church did not make much progress until Mr. Henry Marly took charge in 1877; the memberships had increased to twenty during his two administration. Mr. Simonds was appointed and stayed two years, the membership increased to twenty-seven. In 1879, Mr. Burton was appointed and stayed a short time; the church did not prosper very well under his charge, the membership having decreased to seventeen. In 1880, W.H. Brown was appointed by the Illinois Conference, he was a hard worker and through his efforts the church gained eleven members, making the membership twenty-eight. The members intended to build a church and secured a site for the same, which Jay and Fuller streets (now known as Galtier and Fuller).

At the turn of the century they moved to the new location at Jay and Fuller. This church was partially destroyed by fire in 1908. Rev. R.S. Seymore was the Pastor. While waiting for the structure to be rebuilt, services were held in the old Court Hall, then called Freyer Hall, at 505 ½ Washington Ave. The jail at the time was in the building.

Under the leadership of Rev. William Griffin, the basement unit of the new St. James was completed and dedicated in the winter of 1926, this was the present location a Dale and Central.

In October of 1940, Rev. B.N. Moore was appointed to St. James by Bishop J.A. Gregg. The Bishop urged Rev. Moore to build the super structure to the basement unit and indicated his confidence that “with God’s help” it could be done. The building was begun in August 1948 and September 1949. World War II halted building operations, however $50,000 was raised to apply to building costs. The completed church has a seating capacity of 700. The building and furnishings are valued in excess of $200,000 and is “one of America’s most beautiful churches”. Rev. Mordeau Williams was appointed to St. James in September 1960. Bishop H.T. Primm and Rev. Williams burned the mortgage on the church, August 28, 1970; this same day was the dedication of the newly purchased parsonage, 623 Aurora, and also the ground breaking of the “Jamestown” apartment project, 586 Central Ave. W.

Many memorials have been given to the church, such as: the beautiful stained glass windows, pews, prayer room, communion altar, water fountain, organ chimes, pianos, parking lot, and substantial monetary gifts.

During the past hundred years, the following persons have served in the capacities as recorded: BISHOPS: Archibald Carey, L.J. Coppin, A.F. Gaines, H. Blanton Parks, J.A. Gregg, Joseph Gomez, George W. Baber, Howard T. Primm, Hubert N. Robinson, Samuel E. Morris, Robert Thomas, Jr., James Haskell Mayo, Philip R. Cousin, John R. Bryant, and at present John Franklin White.

PRESIDING ELDERS: Thomas Stovall, W.E. Guy, Nelson Prior, C.W. Ellison, William D. Davis, Alphonse Reff, and at present Stacey L. Smith