Our Story

St. James Community Church of Alpharetta

How It All Began

Our Past, Present, and Future.

The Alpharetta Colored Methodist Church was organized in 1867, following the Civil War, and became part of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Transitioning into its historical context, its first known location was 109 Cumming Street, Alpharetta, Georgia. Further along the timeline, in 1939, the Methodist Protestant, Methodist Episcopal, and the Methodist Episcopal Church South united to form the Methodist Church. Regardless of geographical location, the Colored Methodists were grouped into a single segregated Central Conference. Between 1956 and 1966, an effort began to merge black churches from the Central Jurisdiction into the General Conference.

In 1963, the church broke ground at its prior Kimball Bridge Road location, initiating discussions about changing the church’s name. Transitioning into 1967, they officially renamed the church St. James United Methodist Church, in honor of Trustee James Rucker. Then, on September 8, 1968, they celebrated the inauguration of the new church facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In that same year, the church became part of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. In 1997, because of the continued growth of the North Fulton area, St. James launched the Vision 2000 campaign.

Beginning in 1999, St. James experienced explosive membership growth. Today, under the leadership of the Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Williams, St. James remains one of the fastest-growing church congregations in Alpharetta. Located at 3000 Webb Bridge Road since 2004, the membership at St. James has grown to over 3600 members. The church currently has more than 36 ministries that free the oppressed, equip the masses, and exalt Jesus Christ. The church has two worship services, two corporate Bible studies, and weekly concentrated areas of study for men, women, youth, children, seniors, singles, and married couples. We give God the glory for what He has done in over 140 years in the life of the St. James family. Great is His faithfulness!

Manning Oaks

The congregation generated stewardship through tithes and offerings. Members and non-members gave out of their pockets. Whatever families and neighbors could afford to give during service, $1.00 to $100.00, went towards either the upkeep of the current church service needs and/or towards the building of the new church on Kimbell Bridge.

Special events were also meant to raise funds for The Alpharetta Colored Methodist Church. They would hold Music and Gospel events, Sunday night services, and Vacation Bible Study. Moreover, both white and black guests, along with local attendees or individuals from other churches, would eagerly participate in these events. Consequently, they gladly contributed money, thereby enhancing their fundraising efforts.

The youth was very active in the church. They took on the initiative and organized their fundraising events. Sister Chestene Carter’s mother, Sister Chessy Carter, was speaking during Sunday night church service and mentioned, “Let’s Build a Church”. It was the youth that adopted the name as their campaign name.

Kimball Bridge – Organized in 1967

Besides the monetary contributions, there were the labor contributions. Many people joined in to help build the church on Kimble Bridge, renaming it St. James United Methodist Church in 1967, located at 100 Kimble Bridge Road. Electricians donated their services to do the electrical work needed. Local men would take picks to dig up the floor so the professional tile layers could complete the floors. Many people, men and women in the district helped at no charge to the church.

Hembree Road – Vision 2000 Launched –

In 2002, the congregation moved to Hembree Road.

Webb Bridge Rd – Capital Campaign

Church Vision:

To share Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter.

The Beginning

Kimball Bridge

Growing Church

Our Senior Pastors

1867 – Present

Rev. Jones	Rev. Wood	Rev. P. H. Mays
Rev. M.H. Varner	Rev. I. A. Sherman	Rev. Oliver Gordon
Rev. J. H. Zachery	Rev. W. C. Davis	Rev. G. C. Gissentanner
Rev. M. G. Knight	Rev. J. B. Garrison	Rev. M. E. McMillan
Dr. Amos O. Holmes	Rev. A. C. Cobb	Rev. G. L. Tate
Rev. Richardson	Rev. Wallace Bryant, Jr.	Rev. Melvin F. Hardin, Jr
Rev. Joe W. Beal	Rev. Walter A. Perry	Rev. Haynes T. Gainey
Rev. Benjamin Nelson	Rev. Gary Dean	Rev. Hulon Kemp
Rev. W.C. Dorsey Rev. W.L. Dindule Rev. Marvin A. Moss	Rev. S. W. Walker Rev. J. F. Wenery Rev. Dr. Michael T. McQueen	Rev.W.C.Cato Rev. James E. Reed Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Williams