As we celebrate 100 years, we can reflect back on a vision that our fathers once had. As we visualize the inception of St. James #1 Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the 1800’s, where services were conducted in a shed wsith a tin roof, we visualize the small congregation that would pat their feet and wave their hands as they sang melodious praises to the Almighty, and amended the hallelujah heart-felt words spoken by the previous church pastors like; the late Rev. Dillard William, Rev. Powell and Rev. Pearl Dancy.
We can reflect on the struggles of our past; and the fortitude and perseverance of generations gone by. Though there was a depression, and seemingly little or nothing to hold on to, God’s unchanging hand and His grace saw us though.
1943 promised to be rewarding year, the congregation grew stronger, W.E. Scott (1909 – 1969) was selected as our pastor, and a new building was erected on the corner of Market and Gibbs Street in Northeast Decatur. The church officers served with greatness and distinction as they facilitated more growth.
The St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church congregation moved to on 524 11th Avenue in Northwest Decatur, the third Sunday in May of 1959, after long negotiation with the Housing Authority in June 1957, negotiation began with the Housing Authority about purchasing our church property. A trustee committee, consisting of Samuel Surles and the late Moses Hooks (Chairman), Joe Irvin, and Al Evanes was selected to spearhead the process.
While the Trustee Committee negotiate with the Housing Authority and searched for property, the members began their efforts to raise funds to secure the property and build. In July of 1958, the Negotiation with eh Housing Authority needed, two lots were purchased in West Decatur from the late Mrs. Lizzie Ellison. By August, plan were well under way for the building of our new church. Rev. Scott agreed to be the building contractor and builder, and members of our church and friends in the community helped. Rev. T. Bone was installed as pastor in (1979 – 1995).
Elder Clifford Malone was installed as pastor (1996 – 2004). On Sunday morning, February 18, 2001 the St. James Congregation sang praises and marched three blocks from the former church home on 524 11th Avenue N.W. to this present site on Moulton Street. Today, we are the St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America under the leadership of Pastor Michael L. Jones. Through God’s goodness, we know we can obtain ultimate greatness.
In March 2004, Rev. Michael L. Jones was installed as pastor and has labored with us to the present. God has blessed the church to grow in spirit and ministries under his leadership. He encouraged the church to progressively pay down the church debt. The church was blessed to retire it`s church mortgage from Regions Bank on December 13, 2016, years ahead of schedule. We look back in thankfulness and appreciation to God for His blessings and look forward with great anticipation of His continue blessings on this flock and the community.