St. James Brick U. P. B. Church was organized over 148 years ago because of 2 links in the chain of churches of the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association.  Down through the years there have been many great preachers and pastors in our midst:

 

          Elder Peter Nelson who died in 1881

Elder Ned Long was pastor from 1899 until his death October 12, 1899 (a short life)

 

Different ministers were called in to preach, because at that time black preachers were few in numbers.  St. James had faith that God would send someone to lead his people.  Our prayers were soon answered.  Elder Harvey Butler was called in 1925 to be the Pastor.  He began to get things organized by starting a building, a Trustee Board, Usher Board, Choir, Sunday School and our first piano was purchased.  There was great work done in our old church as well as a spiritual good time.  We cherished our old church. 

 

Elder Butler was our Pastor 30 years until the Lord saw fit to call him to his heavenly home on March 22, 1954.  We used the old pot belly heaters with fire wood and coal for heat and a large water keg with dippers out in the vestibule for water.  We had church services every 2^nd and 4^th Sunday.  On the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday Elder Butler would go to McNairy Hill U. P. B. Church.  Elder Butler was the Moderator of Big Harpeth Association.  Elder Butler’s health began to fail him long before he really gave up.  We then had Elder J. L. Crutchfield from White Springs U. P. B. Church to carry on our services for us on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday.  At that time a preacher could pastor two churches.

 

 After Elder Butler’s passing away, six months later, Elder J. L. Crutchfield was chosen for Pastor.  He was still holding the church together, building new members, expressing more interest in the building fund, and encouraging everyone to move forward despite the storms, floods and other obstacles that came our way.  Our church was in need of an extreme amount of repair which was very expensive.  With prayer and the Grace of God, the Pastor, Deacons, and members decided that we were in need of a new church.

 The church in which we are presently located was built.  We moved from the old church and marched up Blue Grass circling and singing hymns, circled back to the one we are presently located in and assembled on the porch in the door still signing and praying and Thanking God from where he brought us from.  We moved in our church June 26, 1966 with central air and heat and completely modernized. 

 

We are still holding on to our old landmark that ministers, pastors, members, and our parents have passed on to us here at our present location.  Elder Crutchfield was pastor 13 years until his death March 24, 1968.  By the Grace of God we still carried on with the aid of Elder Bruce Orr.

 

On September 8, 1968, Elder William A. Stratton was chosen as our pastor.  He accepted the great responsibility.  He was married to the church January 25, 1969. by our moderator, Elder N. A. Mumphrey, Sr.  Elder Stratton was a young man willing and ready to perform the works that had already been started.   Under his leadership, many accomplishments were made. Every year there was a new project:

·        The indebtedness of the church was paid off

·        A water fountain was installed

·        A fully equipped kitchen with dining area was added

·        A Pastor’s Study

·        The heating system was updated

·        New guttering was installed

·        Landscaping and paneling

·        New church pews purchased

·        5 new Deacon’ s chairs, 3 new tables for the altar

·        The ceiling raised

·        New lighting and new entrance doors

·        P. A. system and new piano

 

Elder Stratton took in sixty six members making a total of 100 members.  There was one preacher licensed, two deacons ordained and four mothers crowned.  He was our pastor 21 years when his health began to fail.  He decided to serve a church closer to his home.  He preached his last sermon on December 24, 1989.

 

Brother Edward Dawson was also a great help to St. James.  With our Deacons completely in charge, they got together and chose Deacon Johnny Ray Armstrong as chairman of the Deacon Board.    Young and faithful and with out stretched arms, he was strong with the help of the Lord.  We continued to go on trusting in the Lord.  We worked and had a different minister each Sunday for 6 months.

 

On June 29, 1990, we chose Elder William Harlan as Pastor.  He too was willing to work according to God’s will.  He accepted on July 15, 1990 and was married to the church on October 14, 1990 by Elder John T. Gassaway, Vice Moderator of Big Harpeth U. P. B. Association.  Elder Harlan increased membership by 13, one Deacon was set aside and 2 mothers.  Elder Harlan preached his last sermon on October 10, 1994. 

 

With God’s help, Deacon Johnny R. Armstrong and Elder Ridley Hodge continued to provide services to the church.  The church was without a pastor for one year.  We met with Elder Albert Palmer, Jr.  shown as humble and ready to carry on the works of the Lord.  We accepted him as our Pastor on October 8, 1995.  He was married to the church December 10, 1995.  He took in 4 new members and crowned 2 mothers.  The church’s electrical systems were updated and we installed a ramp on the porch for the handicapped and water fountains.  A microwave was purchased.  He and his family took consideration of the needs of the church, and reached out to those needs.  Thanks be to God we are still holding on.

 

On Saturday, November 14, 2000, Elder Terrell Scruggs was chosen Pastor and installed February 4, 2001.  He took in one member.  His last day was September 9, 2001.

 

 We were without a pastor again, but our church doors were never closed.  God is good.  We stood firm with the help of the Lord until God saw fit to send us Elder Howard L. Owens who came in willing and wanting to do what doth said the Lord.  Elder Owens was chosen on November 24, 2001 as our pastor.  He was installed January 13, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. by Elder Herman Mosley, Moderator of Big Harpeth U. P. B. Association.  During his time, he took in 4 members, and placed Men’s Day back on the calendar.  The following projects were completed:

 

·        Repainting of the church

·        Renovating in the fellowship hall

·        Renovating Men and Ladies restrooms

·        Posted the church yard

·        An organ

·        Drink machine

·        Steam table

·        Portable water fountains

 

By the Blessing of the Lord, there is more togetherness and spiritual services.  We are on the move for great work.  Our motto is “Together we stand and divided we fall”

 

Psalms 125:1-2.

 

They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abidedth forever.  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, hence forth even forever more.