St. James History

 

The approximate date of the first settlement of the St. James Community was in the early 1820's.  Soon after it was settled, the people felt a need for a church and school.  Many denominations living in the community worked together and built a log house to be used for a church and school.  It had a door in one side and a chimney and fireplace in the other side.  It had what was called a puncheon floor.

Eventually the Methodist Church was organized.  It was the only organized church in the community, but preachers of other denominations preached there occasionally.

About 1852, Armstead Younger and his wife deeded one acre of land to the Methodist Church to build a new house.  This building was a large two story house and was also used for a school.

The Masonic Lodge occupied the upper story and kept up their part of the building.

About 1870, James H Callom and his wife deeded the Methodist Church 2.5 acres of land for a parsonage.  The parsonage was a two room log building with a hall between the rooms and a side room at the back.  This building is still standing.

A school house was built about 1907, so the school no longer used the church.

When the church was torn down, the school was used for a church until the present church was built in 1968.