St. James Presbyterian Church
New York City.
In:The history of the Negro church. (published c1921)
Published Date: c1921
Additional Name(s):Woodson, Carter Godwin , 1875-1950 -- Author
Digital ID: 1232130
NYPL Call Number: Sc D 94-1319
St. James history and present: St. James is the oldest African American
Presbyterian Church in Manhattan and was founded in 1895 by a group of
Black Presbyterians, all of whom graduated from Lincoln University, a Black
Presbyterian college founded by the Northern Presbyterian Church. It has occupied
its current building since 1927 when the original St. James Presbyterian Church
joined the "flight of the white" out of Harlem and left the building vacant.
It has had a glorious history and at one time just before World War II had a
membership of some 4,000 people. Following the War with the upward social mobility
of educated Black and the increasing influx of immigrants from the South, St. James
membership began a steady decline until finally in the year 2002 when its pastor,
The Rev. Lenton Gunn died, membership dwindled to less than 100.
Rev. Dr. Eugene Callender, the current Pastor, was asked to try to rebuild
this historic congregation. His first service there had 50 people in attendance.
The church now averages 175-225 people a Sunday. New members have joined with
the rolls reading 180 and the choir is tremendous, performing frequently within
the New York City Presbytery. It has also begun "Project St. James," a community
outreach endeavor, which has brought new life to this fellowship of believers.
St James Presbyterian Church
(212) 283-4541 409 W 141st St
New York, NY
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