The Birthing of Saint James Baptist Church
History tells that the formation of the black churches in the community were established from the Congaree Baptist Church. This Church, founded in 1765, was the first Baptist Church in the Horrell Hill community, which consisted of both blacks and whites. Between 1800-1806, the Church moved from the Congaree-Grovewood Community to the Gadsden Community, where it became known as the Beulah Baptist Church.
Following the Civil War, worship services were held separately...the white congregation on first and third Sundays and the black worshippers on second and third Sundays. These arrangements lead to a split and the development of the Shiloh and New Light Beulah Baptist Churches. In a bold move in 1880, members of New Light Beulah withdrew to organize the Saint James Baptist Church. As they organized the new church, Saint James Baptist Church, the worship site was establish at Horrell Hill, South Carolina, about one-quarter mile north of the present site. Reverend William M. Adams became the first Pastor of the newly-formed Saint James Baptist Church. Upon moving to the new community, a public school was established and operated at the Church for a number of years.
The Pastors from the Formative Years
In 1885 Reverend Adams died and Rev. Wash Taylor became pastor, followed by Reverends Jenkins; Martin Bolton and Mitchell Stroy(er).The pastors also included John B. Barber (23 years); Joe Williams; (after a few months, he passed), followed by Reverends Tom Crumpton (one year) and B. L. Hall, fourteen years (1934-1948).
In 1948, Reverend Harry Green became pastor. Under the leadership of Pastor Green, a number of new deacons were ordained. A Musical Choir was organized by Deacons William Stroy and Jesse Johnson, Sr. Ms. Nezzie Richardson was elected as President of the choir, which she served faithfully until her death. Reverend Green stepped down as pastor in 1970.
In 1970 Reverend Willie J. Rumph became pastor. Reverend Rumph was instrumental in helping to organize a Youth Choir, along with Ms. Daisy Howell. During his tenure, Saint James withdrew from the Colonel Creek Union and we begin having services every Sunday. Established BTU, Youth Sunday, a yearly calendar of events and meetings, a church manual, along the Junior Ushers.
In September 1986, Reverend James W. Abrams, Jr., became our twelfth pastor. Under his administration and leadership, many ministries and programs have been developed and implemented. To accommodate our growth, an addition was added to the church in the nineties. His teaching and counseling served to create a greater sense of spirituality throughout the Church. Reverend Doctor Abrams is in his 33rd year of service at Saint James.
With this writing, we set the following names in our Church history because they were the first of the older generation who organized and had the courage and determination to establish the Saint James Baptist Church. Messrs. Sam Starling; Frank Vinson; Doc Starling; John Nixon; Tom Brown; Pete Gilmore; B.J. Blue; George Johnson; Preston Brown; Daniel Johnson; and Samuel Addison; Alexander Richardson; Charlie Patterson; Champion Addison; Jesse Adams and Willie Howell.
The following were instrumental in keeping the dream alive in later years: Deacon Lee and Mrs. Elsie Davis; Brother Richard Fields; Brother Henry and Mrs. Josie Archie; Brother Richard Jamison; Deacon William and Mrs. Julia Stroy; Deacon Jesse and Mrs. Sallie B. Johnson, Sr.; Deacon James and Mrs. Lillie Simons; Brothers Julius Montgomery and Thomas McKenzie; Brother R.L. Brown and Mrs. Sallie Brown; Deacon Matthew and Mrs. Daisy Howell; Deacon Isaac "Ike" and Mrs. Susanna Johnson, Deacon Grant and Mrs. Ethel Williams, Sr.; Trustee Eddie and Mrs. Mary Richardson; Messrs. Richard "Bo" Richardson; and George Richardson; Brother Willie and Mrs. McClerkin; and Deacon Jesse and Mrs. Emma Johnson, Jr., Deacon Joseph and Mrs. Sarah Simons, Sr., Deacon Joseph and Mrs. Mary J. Stroy and Deacon James and Mrs. Lucille Richardson.
The present sanctuary was rebuilt in 1964 and in later years an educational facility was built.
The Formation of the Church Sunday School
Bro. B. J. Blue was the first Superintendent, followed by Bro. Thomas Brown; and Sister Addison as treasurer and Bro. Jesse Johnson, Sr., teacher. Third superintendent, Bro. Jesse Johnson, Sr. Teachers: Sister Sallie B. Johnson, Bro. Jesse Johnson, Jr. (Treasurer); Sister Elsie Davis (Secretary); Sister Thomasina Stroy. Later years Bro. Jesse Johnson, Jr., became director of the Sunday school with the following as teachers: Sister Josephine Archie, Sister Elizabeth Fields, Sister Sallie B. Johnson, Deacon Joseph Stroy and Sister Mary Stroy. Deacon Joseph Stroy served as Sunday School Superintendent until his passing in 1998.Formation of the Church Auxiliaries
Sister Neeley Brown organized the Saint James Women Missionary Society and Sister Manda Taylor founded the Horrell Hill Working Women Society with a few Church and Community members. Later, the two merged to form the Saint James Baptist Missionary Society. Following the death of Sister Brown; Sister Julia Stroy became president; Sister Sallie B. Johnson, Treasurer; Deacon William Stroy, Secretary. After Sister Stroy's death, Mrs. Mary Stroy became president and Mrs. Emma Davis, Secretary. Following retirement of Mrs. Mary Stroy, came Ms. Mary E. Archie. Presently, Mrs. Sallie Thomas is President.The Church organized its choir (Jubilee) with Mr. Jimmie Portee as leader. The choir was then located in the balcony and was later moved to the front when a bell was added to accommodate the school. Bro. Julius Montgomery was leader. Bro. Montgomery passed and Deacon Joseph Stroy became the leader and led until his death in 1998. Deacon James Richardson led the choir until his passing in 1999. Deacon Isaac Johnson served as President, followed by Brother Willie McClerkin. As the choir continued, Mrs. Daisy Howell became president until her passing in 1997. Presently Mr. Walter Thompson is president. This choir was known for its singing and their famous Silver Tea, a gathering where they would rehearse and fellowship.
In the mid-1940s Sister Rose Lee Patterson organized a Musical Choir. Sister Patterson sponsored a financial drive, which served to purchase the Church's first piano. Sis Dorothy Addison became Musician. Others included: Sister Betty Stroy-Jacobs; Sister Annie Mae Gore, Sister Barbara Mims; Brother Jack Hopkins; Sister Susan Jones Simons; Brother Willie J. Johnson; Sister Carolyn Wren; Sister Clarissa Hampton and Sister Alice Livingson (2007), Organist and Mr. James Adams, keyboard. Sister. Rosalind Jenkins became the Church's Musician in 2007, along with Brother Albert Griffin, Jr., as drummer.
Organization of the Youth Choir (1974) under the Rev. W. J. Rumph and Sister Daisy Howell. Sister Louise Anderson became President; Sister Sallie Thomas, Secretary; Sister Barbara Addy as Assistant Secretary; Sister Christena Reed, Chaplain; Sister Georgia M. Howell as Treasurer until her death and Sister Daisy Howell as Mother. Today, this Choir consists mostly of the Youth and Young Adults.
Brother Henry Archie organized the Usher Board, with Sister Josephine Archie as leader. Sister Nezzie Richardson served as leader, followed by Sister Emma Johnson. In August of 1970, the Board was reorganized with the following as officers: Brother Willie J. Johnson, President. Later, Brother John S. Johnson became President and after his death came Sister Wilhelmina Howell as President. Brother Willie Hopkins served as leader until his passing, followed by Sister Louise Hopkins and Sister Annie M. Jones. At present, Sister Cheryl Sumter is President. A group of young people began singing together and later came to be known as the Junior Ushers.
