Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is the oldest church in Red Springs. St. James was organized Sept. 22, 1868 underneath a hickory grove tree in Billy McNeill’s yard. The church was originally named Hickory Grove A.M.E. Zion Church.  Some still refer to St. James as the Hickory Grove Church today. Church was held in McNeill’s yard for the first three years. The Rev. Isaac Reddick was the pastor. After three years the membership had grown and the members decided to move about a quarter of a mile from their present location where they built Brush Harbor. Then this became the name of the church. Interest in the church grew rapidly as newly freed slaves sought a place of worship. Some slaves had been allowed to attend services in their masters’ churches, mostly sitting in balcony seats. Religious ceremonies were strictly forbidden among slaves, but many held impromptu worship gatherings inside slave huts. The slaves would turn pots down at the door, believing it would keep the noise from escaping. Most did.

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The earlier St. James members knew this style of worship well. They were pleased to have a church of their own and they wanted better. They eventually built a log cabin church to better accommodate its members. The Rev. Henry McNeill was sent to pastor the church; during this time where he stayed, working diligently for three years. The next Conference sent a new pastor by the name of Rev. London Johnson, who built a new and improved version of the Log Cabin Church. He also pastored the church for three years.  Following Rev. Johnson, the Rev. William Holt pastored for three years then, the Rev. C.J. Pearson pastored two years and Rev. Henry Lilly pastored for three years. They stayed in the Log Cabin Church for eight years. 

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The Rev. I.B. Williams received the charge at the next Conference. Rev. Williams decided that it was time to build a modern Church. Therefore, he called a meeting bringing the officers and members together to discuss moving forward on the vision of erecting a new church. He first met with Brothers Ben McDougald, Hiram McPhaul and Burtha McPhaul then, included the congregation and its members with the refreshing ideal. During the first three years of the Rev. Williams tenure as pastor, the members built a wood-framed structure. Within three years, a new small frame building was erected. The Rev. A. E. Carroll picked up the torch and under his leadership, the little small frame church was moved to Red Springs, North Carolina. Now that the church was officially located in Red Springs, North Carolina, loud cries begin to ring about building a new church. There was some fear and reservation amongst some who felt that Rev. Carroll may have a problem getting the people on board and keeping their interest in building a new church in Red Springs. The Rev. A.E. Carroll succeeded the Rev. Williams as the tiny wooden church was moved to Red Springs.

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The Rev. James Leavy soon became pastor as a new church was built. Now, the membership concluded that the new church be renamed to “St. James A.M.E. Zion” in honor of Pastor Leavy at the Red Springs location. A number of men led the new St. James A.M.E. Zion Church in the years after the Rev. James Leavy. Among them were: the Rev. E.D. Jones, the Rev. S.J.W. Spurgeon, the Rev. G.W. Ingram, the Rev. J.J. Stubbs and the Rev. S.B. Barker. It was the Rev. Barker who led the movement to build a spacious new church that would be in line with the legacy left by the Rev. James Leavy, whose name adorned the small church. Construction soon began on a new church, a sense of pride among the black community, which labored hard for improvements. The Rev. Barker pastored two years laboring for the new structure; he soon became ill and had to step down from the work, which was turned over to the Rev. Peter Robinson who was sent to pastor the church when Rev. Barker stepped down due to illness. Under the new pastoral leadership, Rev. Robinson led the congregation through yet another impressive construction undertaking that left them with one of the most modern churches in the region.

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Other pastors in succession pastoring St. James include: the Rev. P.J. Pratt, the Rev. Stitts, Rev E. B. Roberson who only stayed one year but was able to pay-off the church mortgage.  The Rev. J.M. Gould followed and under his leadership, new pews were purchased along with other fixtures from the pulpit to the door and installed for the cost of $2,000. The Rev. J.W. Marsh arrived next and under his leadership a new furnace was installed. The Rev. F.W. Harrell followed and under his leadership a new parsonage was purchased. There was also a new Budget System, the administration was put into place. In the year of 1924, Rev. F. W. Harrell and members celebrated their 56th church Anniversary.  Rev. J.R. Funderburk pastored this charge for three years. Full of vim and vigor this energetic young pastor was willing and did take on the task of bringing a new spiritual enlightenment into the church. He worked with the young people, this was outstanding. He also initiated a robed choir.  

The Rev. W.A. Cooper, the Rev. J.B. Harrison, the Rev. E.M. Strong, the Rev. J.W. Little, Rev. W.D. Drake, Rev. John Stewart, Rev. A.M. McCallum, Rev. J. W.  Wactor, the Rev. T.R. Gains, the Rev. L.R. Bennett followed in that order. Under the leadership of Rev. S.R. Lomax, a new parsonage and hut was built. The Rev. D.L. Conyers, the Rev. R.G. Canady, the Rev. B.W. Moncur, yet, another new church was under construction. The Rev. G.D. Glover followed him and the Education Building was completed to the extent that worship services could go on in it while the old structure was torn down. The Rev. W.W. Davis followed and under his leadership, floors were laid and other needed facilities and fixtures were added. Some of the building materials were also purchased and placed on the grounds of the new upcoming structure.

 

The Rev. E.H. Beebe, followed Rev. W.W. Davis and whole heartily took on the work of the new ventures. All prior debts were paid and the new Sanctuary was erected under Rev. Beebe’s leadership. Rev. Beebe’s widowed and mother Ada Richardson Beebe was present in the community and soon became united in marriage to Rev. Beebee. Mrs. Beebe is Bishop Kenneth Monroe’s mother-in-law and adorned mother to Mrs. Sheila Wells Monroe, Missionary Supervisor of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District and the Central North Carolina Annual Conference at the present time. The Rev. R.W. Jenkins followed and the new Sanctuary was completed. The Rev. P.W. Sykes received the pastorate charge following Rev. Jenkins. Unfortunately, the Rev. Sykes only served one year and had entered into his second year when he passed away. Under his brief administration the new church was almost paid-off completely. The Rev. P.J. Stroud was next to receive this charge. The Rev. DeWitt Womack followed Rev, Stroud, and the remaining mortgage was paid in its entirety. Rev. Womack passed away during the conference year and presiding Elder S. J. Farrar held the church congregation together until the next pastor was sent by the Annual Conference.  The Rev. G. Curtis Newby was sent to serve as pastor. Under Rev. Newby’s administration, a new parsonage was purchased on 4003 Daniel McLeod Rd. Red Springs, NC. Following the Rev. G. Curtis Newby, Rev. W.A. Eason was appointed as pastor at St. James. Under Rev. Eason’s leadership the church continued to grow spiritually. Following Rev. Eason, The Rev James Glenn served briefly. Again, presiding Elder S. J. Farrar supplied the pulpit until Rev. Jesse Yowell was appointed as pastor. Under Rev. Yowell’s leadership, a childcare Nursey was established at the church along with the birth and rebirth of Children and Youth choirs. The B&M Community Choir got its humble beginnings as it originated from the St. James Children and Youth Choir. The B&M Choir is still a part of St. James church and community. It soon became an Outreach Choir under the direction of Mr. Sherwin Breeden as it grew to more than a hundred participants. More importantly, the church continued to make great strides spiritually and physically. Bro. Glen Jones served as local preacher during this time. 

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Rev. Tim Mckoy was appointed pastor to St. James following Rev. Jesse Yowell. Rev. McKoy made history at St. James. Rev. McKoy served as pastor graciously for 21 years. Under his devout anointing and spiritual leadership, great things began to take place, many souls were saved, the young and the old alike. “Rev. McKoy Day ”  was the first project embarked upon as a means to pave the way to a debt free church and it became a reality during his first charge. Under Rev. McKoy’s leadership, new carpet was installed; church pews received an upgrade to now padded and refinished pews. New chairs for the dining area and choir loft were purchased. During Rev. McKoy’s first year as pastor, the church became debt free. Pastor, members and officers began to engage in new plans for much needed renovations and repairs. New church Vans were purchased providing transportation for the Church and Community as well. Numerous repairs and renovations from the front door to the back door, upstairs and downstairs were made. The Pastor’s Study was renovated.

 

The Education Building was completed in honor of Bishop Kenneth Monroe. However, the dedication of the new educational building took place under the leadership of Rev. Edward Hill. The choir loft and front of the church got a makeover. Christian Education classrooms, Conference room, Secretary office, Deaconess Quarters were added, Computers were added Printers and Fax machines were supplied for the Finance Office for the first time. New bathrooms downstairs in Fellowship Hall were added, the Fellowship Hall got a makeover that almost tripled it in size. The Pastors Study was also renovated adding a shower and bathroom along with new office furniture. A more modern bath and works upgraded the pastor’s study. New facilities were added for males and females with handicap accessible stalls downstairs. Under Rev. McKoy the Fellowship Hall received an extreme makeover. The upstairs which was labeled the Church School quarters also got a makeover with a Conference room and individualized classrooms. Children’s church was birthed and the list goes on. Rev. Rita O. Cobb served as local preacher moving on to an ordained Traveling Preacher by admission to the Annual Conference. She would go on to pastor her first church under Rev. McKoy’s leadership as pastor. The first Family & Friends Day was celebrated during Rev. McKoy’s pastorate as it was the brain-child of his wife, First Lady Marilyn McKoy. Family and Friends Day remains a vital ministry of the St. James Church. Mrs. Gloria Pittman Johnson was responsible for organizing St. James first Homecoming Celebration. Under Rev. McKoy’s leadership an additional 5 local preachers were born into the ministry. Rev. Stephanie McArthur and Brother Charles Coleman moved forward and completed Conference Studies and are ordained preachers. Sister Kimberly McKoy, Brother Duron Burney and Sister Dorothy Moore served as Local Preachers. 

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Also, under Rev. Tim McKoy’s administration Rev. Stephanine McArthur received her first pastoral Charge in 2012-2013 appointed by the Right Rev. Bishop Dr. Kenneth Monroe at the Central North Carolina Conference. She went on to serve as Pastor of the Bethlehem A.M,E. Zion Church located in Fuquay, NC. She received her second Charge to pastor Clarks’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Tarheel, NC where she is still the pastor on record to date.  Following Rev. McKoy the next Charge St. James received was that of Rev. Edward L. Hill III for the 2014-2015 Conference year. Rev. Hill now served as pastor for two years. During Rev. Hill’s leadership, the Bishop Monroe Educational Building was dedicated along with the addition of the Bishop Monroe Library. Sister Dorothy Moore under Rev. Hill’s administration was admitted to the Central North Carolina Annual Conference 2015-2016 year on trial and is now undertaking First Year Conference Studies. Sister Moore is presently a Traveling Preacher in her second year of Conference Studies. Another transformation in the history of the St. James A.M.E. Zion Church took place at the 2016 -2017 at the Annual Conference with the appointment of Rev. Sharon Mitchell, the first female as Pastor. Under Rev. Sharon Mitchell’s leadership Rev. Dorothy Moore received her Deacons Ordination, Rev. Duron Burney received his ordination as Deacon under and installed as pastor by Bishop Kenneth Monroe.  Under Rev. Mitchell’s leadership, the Church is growing by leaps and bounds in several areas. Under the leadership of Rev. Sharon Mitchell, St. James has acquired two new properties, one on the right and the left side of the church. The old parsonage was demolished to make room for construction of the new parking lot.

 

St. James then, acquired the property of the late Carl Davis and that structure was removed, the land cleared and paved the way for the continuation of the parking lot project around the church. Rev. Mitchell was instrumental in moving the church forward with the completion of bathrooms in the front vestibule area of the church and a total renovation of parsonage #2 on 4003 Daniel McLeod Road Red Springs, NC. St. James now has a beautiful, new ‘Marquee’ sign in the front of the church. Under her 6 years of administration God has blessed St. James to continue to move forward. The bell was restored and dedicated on the front lawn by Bishop Kenneth Monroe. Rev. Mitchell was instrumental in giving the Pastor’s Study a new facelift and making it more accommodating, specious and beautiful with a lady’s touch. New furnishings were added. Rev. Mitchell’s vision continued with a landscaping project where brick columns were erecting and iron-wrought handicap ramps were installed in the front of the church. Under the leadership of Rev. Mitchell, the “Impossible Made Possible” dream mortgage project was birthed as a means of a mortgage liquidation. New Storage has been purchased and added to the property.

 

St. James now has two new state-of-the-art air-conditioning units to help maintain the comfort of the church. New ministries have been birthed. A new young man of God has been called to the forefront to teach/preach the Word in St. James. Brother Lee D. Hammonds Jr. accepted his call to the ministry and preached his trial Sermon: August 25, 2019. St. James now has an Acolyte Ministry, a young music ministry with the new “Voices of Praise” Choir, along with young innovative musicians in training to take the music ministry to higher heights. A virtual Ministry was launched in July 2020 to stay on the path of God during the Covid-19 Pandemic. At the last Central Carolina Conference Pastor Mitchell was assigned a new Charge in addition to Pastor of St. James, she pastors Resurrection A.M.E. Zion Virtual Church. Duron Burney served as Pastor’s first Preacher Steward at St. James but, went on to pastor the second year. Pastor Mitchell was blessed with a God sent, young, brilliant, smart, humble gentleman in the name of Lee D. Hammonds Jr., who picked up the torch of Preacher Steward, serving with excellence until God promoted him to preacher a higher calling in 2019. Rev. Mitchell and St. James has now been blessed with Mrs. LaMaurice Crawford to carry on the work of Preacher Steward, serving with dignity. Last but not least, God has joined another power figure to Pastor Mitchell and St. James in the name of Dr. Leon Newton, the pastor’s husband as of May 28, 2022. Therefore she is now pastor Sharon Mitchell Newton. In the words of Dr. Brian Thompson – “Look at God. WE are grateful, blessed and thankful.

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2023 was an amazing year. Our wonderful energetic Pastor was appointed Presiding Elder of the Virgin Islands. She continues to serve as pastor of the St. James AME Zion church. The Resurrection AME Zion Church has been dissolved and its membership is now part of the St. James AME Zion Church and serves faithfully. We are one big happy family. Mr. Darrell Franklin was installed as Trustee Chairman and Mr. Sherwin Breeden the assistant to Mr. Darrell Franklin. A Media Center has been installed along with large 4 TV screens in the Sanctuary where our morning Worship services, Services are broadcasted live and more people are able to join in and take part in our dynamic services weekly. New doors were installed at the Bishop Kenneth Monroe Library and the vestibule entrance of the Sanctuary.  We thank God for another prosperous and blessed year. There are too many things to list but, God has been good to St. James, to God be the Glory for the great things he is doing both seen and unseen. Praise God!!!!!!!!!

 

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Another moment in history, God has blessed St. James with a new pastor. When Presiding Elder Sharon Newton announced that her tenure would come to an end abruptly on the 2nd of June 2024 in the middle of the Conference year; the church was in awe. A bitter sweet taste hit the congregation like a storm. However, as much as we loved Presiding Elder Newton, we were happy for her promotion knowing that she had the opportunity to go higher in the work that the Lord had called her to do. She served us with excellence for 7 ½ years – and would go onto serve as Presiding Elder over the Sanford North Carolina District overseeing 22 churches while continuing to serve the Virgin Islands.

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Now God has brought us a new Shepard to carry on with wisdom, Crazy Faith and a futuristic heart to serve God and his church. On June 7th, 2024 (Faith and Order) – Institute -Rock Hill, South Carolina. Rev. Lee Hammonds Jr. received the charge to pastor St. James AME Zion church. Rev. Hammonds Jr.  grew up in St. James as a little boy and never dreamed of where God would take him throughout his life. He is the first preacher to grow up in St. James and come by as pastor of his home church. He preached his first sermon as pastor of St. James AME Zion Church on June 16th 2024. His Motto is “Trust the Process”.  Pastor Hammonds Jr.  also blessed us with a First Lady Mrs. Patricia Ventura Hammonds and their daughter, Little Miss Giselle Janet Hammonds affectionately called “GiG” who brings new life to the church. She is playful and mostly quiet as she makes her own way around the church with a big beautiful smile.  

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We welcomed Rev. Hammonds Jr. and his family with joy and excitement. We are patiently waiting to experience what God has for our Church through Rev. Hammonds Jr. He is a youthful educated young man with a heart filled will love as he takes on the task that has been assigned to his hand. Bishop Kenneth Monroe made the appointment as he was getting ready to retire as Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and Presiding Prelate over the Eastern North Carolina and South Atlantic Episcopal Districts. This would be his last appointment as our Bishop of the Central North Carolina Conference.  God is still doing miracles in the life of the St. James AME Zion Church in Red Springs North Carolina.