Immediately following the abolition of slavery, our forefathers migrated to different sections of the State. Many settled in Houston in the part of town known as Freedman's Town, and later the 4th Ward.

In settling, they did not forget or forsake their God. They assembled in their humble homes for prayer meetings until they found their way to Trinity Church located on the corner of Bell and Travis streets, wherein they convened for corporate worship. As the settlement grew, so, correspondingly, did the need for a new and larger church - a place to worship closer to their homes. With the assistance of their pastor, the presiding elder, and members of the Trinity Church, the "West Point Church Brush Arbor" was organized at the Annual Conference held at Galveston, Texas, January 8, 1873. The Reverend Gabriel Todd was appointed the first pastor of West Point Church.

West Point was situated at the corner of Howard and Nash streets. Between 1878 and 1880, the name was changed from West Point to St. James Methodist Episcopal Church. Folklore holds "that the West Point/St. James M.E. Church building was moved from the Howard and Nash Street site to its current location on Wilson and Andrews, by horse and wagon -- a move spearheaded by Mr. Johnny Route, Sr.

The Church Cornerstone indicates that the New St. James Methodist Episcopal Church was constructed in 1910 AD. the Parsonage was also constructed at the same time and at the same site.

The St. James Methodist Episcopal Church has been a landmark for many years at the Corner of Wilson and Andrews streets. In an earlier era, the streetcar trolley was a permanent fixture as it traveled from downtown Houston, navigating west on Andrews Street, the to Wilson, trottleling east to San Felipe (currently known today as West Dallas), before embarking upon its return, past the cemetery to downtown.

In 1947, the Rev. L. B. Allen was assigned to St. James. During his tenure and administration, a building fund was initiated. Mrs. Mary E. Haynes, who held the dual positions of Church Historian and Chairperson of the Methodist Women, instituted a fundraising campaign which netted the church $4100. Succeeding Rev. Allen was the Rev. R. H. White, who presented church Financial Secretary, Mr. Solomon Taylor, with a similar fundraising charge, resulting in the church raising an additional $4335.

Some seven years later in 1954, the hand of God touched the dynamic articulate and politically savvy, Richard Howard Robinson to assume both the spiritual helm and leadership mantel of St. James. With over $6600 in the building fund, Dr. Robinson provided the oversight and direction of an aggressive program and movement designed to launch a major church construction project. During the period August 1954 to July 1957, $41,534 was raised.

On January 10, 1957, the Church Trustees entered into a legally binding contract with the renowned architect, J. J. Hawkins, to build our existing edifice at a cost of $60,993.86. The Rev. Luther B. Felder, a distinguished preacher, pulpiteer and theologian, preached the sermon, during the glorious groundbreaking ceremony that was to follow. On October 13, 1957, Heights Lodge No. 280, under the direction of Mr. James Felton, W.M., leveled the church cornerstone.

During the year of 1969, the South Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church was abolished, resulting in the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church becoming a constituent of the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, and the assumption of its current identity as the St. James United Methodist Church.

In 1991, the real property that adjoins the present site was purchased pursuant to a venture finance the the Texas Methodist Foundation. In September, 1998, title to the real property abutting the north side of the church edifice will escheat to the Church thus assuring its ability to grow and continue its mission in the service of God.

Source:   Ms. Evelyn Johnson
Church Historian

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