St. James AME rebuilding church, membership

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June 2, 2006

By Ida Brown / senior staff writer The Meridian Star Fri Jun 02, 2006, 11:46 PM CDT

When the Jewish leader Nehemiah returned home and saw how the walls of the city of Jerusalem had been destroyed, he supervised the rebuilding of the wall and reformed the people.

That is the hope of the Rev. Donnell Adams during his term as pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church.

“Through the rebuilding process, we hope to strengthen the faith and determination of our congregation — a renewal, so to speak,” said Adams, who, shortly after assuming his pastoral duties, embarked on a building project for St. James.

“Sometimes we forget our mission and lose focus,” he said. “Through the rebuilding process, it rejuvenates the people to show them what we can do and that we will.”

When Hurricane Katrina carved a path of destruction from New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and other locales around the state, Meridian was among the areas affected.

The storm’s strong, gusty winds and heavy rains ruined the church’s roof, ceiling and insulation. Adams saw this as an opportunity to not only rebuild the church’s structure but also its membership — spiritually and in number.

On June 11, St. James will host a ceremony to welcome its new pastor, as well as dedicate the completion of Phase I of an ongoing building project.

History

St. James AME church had its beginning in a brush harbor. Under the leadership of the Rev. J.W. Watson, St. James’ Sunday school and church were organized. The church’s current site was purchased and the first edifice was erected in 1884.

Under the leadership of the Rev. S.P. Washington, the church’s second building was constructed in 1913. The church’s current structure was built in 1900, under the leadership of the Rev. W.J. Jones.

In the early 1990s, under the leadership of the Rev. Herman O. Kelly, the church was greatly involved in the community and implemented several projects, including a neighborhood-watch program, a soup kitchen and Keep America Beautiful program.

The church also has served as site for other community ministries, such as “Project Pride” and a mentoring program under the Rev. Jerry A. James. Under the administration of the Rev. Walter A. Christian, the church instituted its first outdoor gospel festival.

Next phase

With Phase I complete, St. James is gearing up for the next step in its rebuilding project. This will include redoing floors, painting the outside building and renovation the parsonage.

The rebuilding phase also will include reviving the church’s commitment to community.

“We want to do more community-outreach programs, such as setting up a computer center and programs for our senior citizens, and we also want to develop a youth recruitment program,” Adams said.

“Once the structure and membership is secure, you have to go evangelize the community to encourage others to join,” he said. “We also would like to form partnerships with the community.”

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