Rev. Parker and Mrs. Watson canvassed the community spreading the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and sharing the vision which God had given them for this area. Initially, the newly organized church worshipped from house-to-house. Out of these humble beginnings, the members were blessed to raise enough funds to purchase their first house of worship, an old theater located at 307 E. 16th St. Rev. Parker served as pastor from 1918 to 1921.
Rev. J.W. Saffold succeeded Rev. Parker and served from 1921 to 1924; followed by Rev. M.S. Walker from 1924 to 1925; and Rev. R.F. Fullwood who served six weeks from December, 1925 to early January, 1926.
Rev. T.C. Lightfoot Sr. was assigned to St. James in January, 1926 and served until 1931. Under his leadership, the members raised $2,500.00 to pay off the mortgage at 307 E. 16th St.
Rev. G.C. Glen served as pastor from 1931 to 1933, and was instrumental in installing in-door plumbing in the church. Rev. J.W. Saffold returned to St. James in 1933 and served six months. He was succeeded by Rev. E.M. Radford, serving from 1933 to 1935. Rev. I.S. Pinkett, a lawyer and very active in community affairs, was assigned to St. James in 1935, and served until 1947.
Rev. A.L. Adams served as pastor from 1947 to 1949. When he arrived, the building at 307 E. 16th St. was in need of major repairs, and was eventually condemned. Under his leadership, a building fund drive was initiated and $2,000.00 was raised towards the purchase or building of another house of worship.
Rev. Carlos Miles Baker was assigned to pastor St. James in 1949. He went to work immediately to secure another house of worship. Under his leadership, the church edifice at 325 E. 16th Street was built. It is now the home of the Baker Memorial C.M.E. Church.
In addition to the new church, a new piano was purchased. After completing this task, Rev. Baker went to be with the Lord in June, 1953. Presiding Elder A.L. Hodges served four months until a new pastor was assigned.
Rev. W.H. Alexander was pastor from 1953 to 1954, followed by Rev. M.
A. Crowder from 1954 to 1955. Rev. Samuel A. Sea served from 1955 to 1958, and later became the Presiding Elder. The Samuel A. Sea Club was formed in his honor. Rev. C. P. Raines served from 1958 to 1961. Under his leadership, a new organ was purchased.The Rev. Gilbert B. Kendrick served as pastor from 1961 to 1967. Many improvements were made under his administration. New boards and auxiliaries were formed. He organized the first Board of Christian Education, and implemented the annual Vacation Bible School.
Many souls were won to the Lord under his leadership. He was a Christian educator and a civic minded leader who had a deep concern for the affairs of the community. He believed that all of God’s people should be able to worship together, regardless of race, color, or ethnicity. He was instrumental in organizing an annual student exchange program between St. James and the Faith United Protestant Church of Park Forest, IL.Rev. P.C. Campbell was assigned to St. James in 1967. Under his administration, the church continued to grow. New organizations were formed, and an extensive building fund effort was initiated. A new “courtesy car” was purchased as well as a fifty-one passenger bus. He spearheaded the purchase of five lots of land and a fourteen room parsonage on Washington Street. When the membership out grew its location at 325 E. 16th St., St. James relocated in 1971 to 1503-1507 Vincennes St. This location included the church edifice as well as a ten-room house which became the educational center. He was a trained musician and singer and the Campbell Singers were formed in his honor.
Rev. Campbell was also an educator and civic minded leader. He served as a member of the Board of Education for School District 170. He loved to travel and was employed by Wholesale Tours Inc. He organized prayer crusades to various parts of the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He served as pastor from 1967 to 1978.In September, 1978, Rev. E.B. Ingram was assigned to pastor St. James. Many training programs were initiated under his administration. There was an increase in membership; more organizations were formed; and improvements were made on the parsonage and the educational center. The Ingram Singers were formed in his honor. He served as the Assistant Presiding Elder of the Gary District; president of the Gary District Ministerial Alliance, and president of the Chicago Heights Ministerial Alliance. Rev. Ingram was a great humanitarian who loved people. On January 3, 1984, Rev. Ingram went to be with the Lord.
After the death of Rev. Ingram, Presiding Elder Harry L. Redds Sr. served for six months until the 1984 Annual Conference, administering healing to the membership during a time when it was most needed.
Rev. Norman L. Ott was assigned to St. James in July, 1984 and served until July, 1987. He was a carpenter and renovated the choir stand; and the parsonage. An extensive building fund campaign was implemented which enabled the church to pay off the mortgage at 1503-1507 Vincennes.
Rev. O’Neal Shyne Jr. was assigned in July, 1987 and served until July, 1995. Some of the achievements accomplished under his administration included major renovations of the property at 1503 Vincennes; renovation of the Washington Street property; the purchase of new hymnals; held a mortgage burning ceremony with the Rt. Rev. D.I. Isom Jr., in attendance. He instituted a building fund effort earmarked to purchase a new church edifice. A parsonage was purchased in University Park, IL; another church edifice and educational center at 2012 Chicago Road was purchased. Renovations and the purchasing of new furniture were made for the new locations. The membership moved into its new location on November 11, 1990. Under his administration, the membership and finances of the church increased; Sunday School and Bible Study attendance increased. St. James was privileged to host the 33rd Session of the Michigan Indiana Annual Conference from July 15, 1991 to July 19, 1991.
Rev. James T. Morris was assigned to St. James in July, 1995 and served until August, 2000. A charismatic people person, Rev. Morris came with many great ideas. After observing the low Sunday School attendance, he instituted the “Saturday Church School.” African-American History Month was celebrated in a big way, with new activities each week. He highlighted the importance of the African-American in the history of the United States of America and the world. The monthly celebration culminated with a fellowship banquet and talent show. Rev. Morris was a great preacher and teacher of the Word of God. He was trained in the art of singing. The St. James Ensemble was formed under his leadership. Under his administration, St. James was host to the 1999 Michigan-Indiana Annual Conference. Improvements were made to the men and women’s washrooms. Siding was added to the church edifice, and a new parsonage was purchased at 14119 Lincoln Avenue, Dolton, IL. He initiated the “Hall of Fame” Award which honored the outstanding accomplishments made by members of the church during the year.
The Rev. Dr. Ronnie White was assigned to St. James in August, 2000. His first meeting with the members of St. James occurred at its annual picnic. He and his wife, Terri immediately rolled up their sleeves and began to work. In addition to preaching and teaching, he sang in the choir; and played the piano for Sunday School. He was remembered for the interesting stories that he told which coincided with his sermons. Dr. White became well known in the community, and was appointed chaplain of the Chicago Heights Police and Fire Departments; and the St. James Hospital. Under his administration, improvements were made to the fellowship hall; new side entry doors were installed; Sunday School attendance greatly increased which resulted in the need for five classes ranging in ages from pre-school to adults. There were three Bible Study groups; the membership of the church increased; there was fellowship with other churches of different denominations; and St. James grew spiritually and financially. Dr. White’s motto was “Focus on Jesus.” He believes when the focus is on Jesus, everything else falls into place. Unfortunately, for personal reasons, Dr. White resigned as pastor of St. James on December 2, 2002.
Rev. Norman L. Ott who was then the Presiding Elder of the Gary District returned to St. James in December, 2002 and pastored until the 2003 Annual Conference. During this short stay, he was instrumental in helping the church to obtain a new central air conditioning unit.
Rev. Joseph M. Colquitt was assigned to St. James in 2003. He was a young family man who pastored while furthering his education. His focus was to see that the church continued to move forward.
At the 2004 Michigan-Indiana Conference Rev. W.J.G. McLin was assigned to pastor St. James and to serve as the Presiding Elder of the Gary District. Under his leadership, there was a growth in membership, Bible Study, adult Sunday School attendance, and the choir. The choir was re-named the “Sanctuary Choir of St. James.” New hymnals were purchased; interior and exterior work was done on the church edifice and educational center. An exterior sign was purchased and erected displaying the name of the pastor and the time of worship service, and Sunday School. Under his administration, St. James once again was host to the Michigan-Indiana Annual Conference. His main theme was “Restoration and Reconciliation,” encouraging the membership to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14) Under his administration, the “Evangelist of the Month Award” was put into place whereby a member was awarded for bringing the most people to worship service during a given month. Rev. McLin served until July, 2008.
Our current pastor who is also the presiding elder of the Gary District, Rev. Dr. Janice D. Blackmon was assigned to St. James in July, 2008. She comes with many credentials, many God-given gifts, and talents. She is a gifted Holy Spirit filled administrator, writer, songstress, and pianist. She preaches and teaches the Word of God with authority. She has the heart of a pastor and deeply cares for the membership. She came to us with a plan, and with the help of God, St. James is going to grow in every way. She was officially welcomed to St. James and the District on October 12, 2008. All were blessed by the Word that came through the guest messenger, Rev. Willie Weaver of Baker Memorial C.M.E. Church entitled, “New Blessings for A New Season,” Isaiah 43:16-19. We look forward to her many years of service to St. James and the Gary District.
