Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, INC. was organized by the late Rev. James Eade on September 15, 1953 at 56 River Street, Danbury Connecticut. The mission church branched out from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Norwalk Connecticut where Rev. Eade was a member.
After the opening of the mission a youth named Sister Juanita McCarley volunteered her time during the winter months to help keep the church warm and comfortable by bringing logs to put in the pot belly stove. In attendance for the Sunday morning services were Sister Annie Lee Perkins and Sister Mary Shields, who later united with Mount Pleasant AME Zion Church.
As time moved on, Rev. Eade was introduced to the late Rev. Herbert Teel of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The two became well acquainted and labored together in ministry and building the Lord’s Church. In time, others joined and helped to carry on the work. Those co-laborers were Sisters Maude Violet Townsend, Saint James A.M.E. Church’s first missionary and pianist; Sister Evelyn Thompson, Brother Noah Mourning, Sr., Sister Barbara Moffett, Sister Maggie Mayo, Sister Mae Peele Taylor, Rev. Oween Peel Shields, and Brother Theodore Callands.
In the year of 1960, the Lord called Rev. James Eade from labor to reward. The late Bishop George Barber of the First Episcopal District sent Rev. Paul M. Ritter to Saint James A.M.E. Church to continue the work. Rev. Ritter became the Second Pastor of the Church and under his leadership, several members were added to the Church roll.
The fellowship between Saint James A.M.E. Church and the local churches grew tremendously. Five members of Saint James A.M.E. sang with the Community Gospel Chorus of Mount Pleasant AME Zion Church under the supervision of Sister Doris Williams, on the second Sunday of every month. Showing their gratitude, the community chorus came to Saint James A.M.E. Church every third Sunday for many years. In 1961 Saint James A.M.E. moved from 56 River Street to 6 Spring Street. The same year Rev. Paul Ritter resigned from the pastorate and Rev. Clarence William was sent to complete the conference year and become the third pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church.
At the close of the New England Annual Conference in the year of 1965, the late Bishop John D. Bright appointed the Rev. K.C. Jones as the fourth pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church. Rev. Jones worked tirelessly to stimulate the growth in membership and the Building Fund Drive, which was started by the Rev. Paul Ritter. However, Rev. Jones was unable to continue his ministry as the pastor due to physical limitations. The Rev. Elliott L. Strickland was appointed as the fifth pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church. During his tenure, the church grew in membership and community relations through fellowship with sister churches beyond the New England Conference. Shortly thereafter, the Rev. Samuel J. Smith was appointed as the sixth pastor of the Church. In 1971 Rev. Smith arranged for the incorporation of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, which changed our status from a mission to a church. After a year and several months, Rev. Smith was transferred to Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Newport, Rhode Island, and Rev. Clarence Williams returned to Saint James as our seventh pastor.
While during this time our most important goal of purchasing or building our own church edifice had not been met, we never lost courage. For the dawn of a new day was breaking and Saint James never ceased to thank and glorify Almighty God. At the close of the 126th Session of the New England Annual Conference, the Rev. Clyde O. Walker was appointed to be our eight pastor, by the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen Hildebrand. During Rev. Walker’s pastorate Saint James A.M.E. acquired land upon which to build.
At the close of the 128th Session of the New England Annual Conference, The Rt. Rev. Richard Allen Hildebrand appointed Rev. Reynold R. Smith the ninth pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church in June of 1979. Under the leadership of Rev. Smith, the architectural drawings for a building were prepared for the approval of a variance by the zoning board of appeals, of the City of Danbury, which was granted on January 24, 1980. On May 6, 1980, the additional site plans were submitted, both to the Planning and Building Commission of the City of Danbury, for final approval and the building permit. September 3, 1980, the planning commission approved the site plans with minor changes to be made.
Due to the difficulty of obtaining the future mortgage for this kind of building, additional funds had to be raised. After the request of Rev. Reynold Smith for a transfer back to the New York Annual Conference, the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen Hildebrand appointed Rev. Joseph C. Edwards as the 10th pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church to carry on the work. Under Rev. Edwards’ leadership adult and youth membership increased. Another architect was hired but unfortunately building plans did not succeed.
At the close of the New England District Conference which was held October 17-18, 1986, Bishop Curtis Cummings appointed Rev. Norvel Goff Sr., to be the 11th pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Goff, the membership increased greatly and the Church purchased the present edifice and a two-family house. In 1988 we moved to our present location at 45 William Street. Rev. Goff was a people’s pastor whose hand was extended to and beyond the premises of Saint James A.M.E. Many wonderful things took place under Rev. Goff’s pastorate. The church leaped from the valley of despair to the mountaintop of victory.
