St. James A.M.E. Church, Utica

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In the fall of 1969, a small band of believers gathered in the living room of Edward and Pauline Bass. This organizational meeting was called to order by Rev. Ernest Boston, the founding pastor. The group met six times to receive instruction in the A.M.E. Discipline, preparing themselves to become an A.M.E. congregation.

Edward Bass later contacted his cousin, Clarence Bass, who worked for the Utica YMCA. Through this connection, arrangements were made for the congregation to use the YMCA Chapel as its first place of worship. The chapel served the congregation for one year as it prepared financially to secure its own location.

In early 1971, a building was purchased at the corner of Sunset and Mulberry Streets in the City of Utica, New York. This purchase was made possible through the efforts of Bishop John Douglas Bright. The congregation adopted the name “St. James African American Methodist Episcopal Church.”

The congregation remained in this building for only one year. In 1972, the boiler, which provided heat for the building, exploded, destroying the fellowship hall. Despite this setback, the members moved to a new location on Eagle Street. Emmanuel Baptist Church, which was relocating, sold its building to St. James A.M.E. Church for the sum of one dollar ($1.00), including fixtures, the organ, hymnals, and stained glass.

Because the building was large and the congregation small, maintaining it proved difficult. Eventually, the doors closed on Eagle Street. Yet the congregation was again blessed with a new opportunity. In 1994, Plymouth Bethesda United Church of Christ invited the members of St. James to share their facilities for worship, a kindness for which the congregation remains deeply grateful.

The road has not been easy for St. James. The flood has come, and the torrent has struck the house, yet St. James has stood because it is built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. God has been faithful, meeting every need. The congregation stands fully persuaded that He who has begun a good work will bring it to completion.

 In May 2004, Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District, appointed Rev. Eleanor Douglas Dawson as pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church. Under her leadership, the congregation looks forward to erecting its own edifice.

We praise God for the men and women who have served as pastors of St. James A.M.E. Church:

• Rev. Ernest Boston
• Rev. William Burton
• Rev. J. Baptiste
• Rev. James Wharton
• Rev. David Boston
• Rev. Noah Merrill
• Rev. Hester Duhart
• Rev. Gloria Stephen
• Rev. Stanley Charity
• Rev. Samuel Bell
• Rev. James Cooper
• Rev. Ann Anderson
• Rev. Natalie P. Alford
• Rev. Kirk Bellesen

To God be the glory!