Our History

The late Reverend James Rivers served faithfully as Associate Minister at St. Luke AME Church in Harlem, under the leadership of the late Rev. William Lee Freeman (who was later appointed Manhattan District Presiding Elder). On October 6, 1951, Reverend James Rivers, the founding pastor, had a vision and faith in God to establish St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church. Praise the Lord!

It was a small beginning in a loft at 125 West 130^th Street  paying $85.00 a month that had 17 chairs and five members who were rich in faith. The opening sermon was delivered by the  Rev. A. A. Davis of Greater St. Luke AME Church, Harlem.  

On June 26, 1952, Rev. James Rivers moved the church to its present location, 2010 Fifth Avenue, Harlem, NY. There were only three choir members and the ministerial staff consisted of Rev. Rivers, Rev. Essie Williams, Evangelist Josephine Patterson, and Rev. Bertina Jenkins. Although the congregation was small, the members had great faith and great determination. 

During the course of the church’s early history, there have been a number of Revivals. Rev Georgiana Edmondson of Charleston, SC ministered the first revival. The late Rev. Ernestine M Ward, the former Presiding Elder of the Western New York Conference, ministered the church’s second revival, in which four souls were saved: saved: Bro. Joseph Wigfall, Rev. Rose Ellington-Murray, former Pastor of Trinity AME Church, along with her father and brother. 

Rev. James Rivers was a great leader and a man with great faith. He  often stated to one of his best friends, the late Rev. Joyner, pastor of  First Corinthian Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY, “St. James AME Church was built on faith and not riches.” He always believed that Body of  Christ should plan their program and leave the results to God. It was a great loss to the members of St. James, when God called, Pastor James Rivers, home in November 1985.