St. James AME Church

St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1811 when a group of African Americans in Chambersburg formed a congregation and were formally recognized as the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1812, the congregation bought a log church on North Main Street that had been vacated by the local Catholic congregation and had it moved to the current location on South Main Street.

The land the church sits on was purchased for $100 from George and Sarah Chambers on August 22, 1839, and given to the congregation by Augusta and Rebecca Green on November 7, 1840. In the original log structure, there were two rooms, the pews were upright pieces with slabs of board laid across for seats. Kerosene lamps were used for lighting, and a central fireplace was used for heating. It was used in this condition until 1872, when it was remodeled into the brick structure that is standing today.

In 1882 Reverend James Peyton paid off the mortgage in full, and in recognition, the church was renamed St. James A.M.E. Church. An offshoot of St. James was created under the name John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in 1845, located on West Liberty Street near Water Street.

Patrick, Leslie. 2010. “African American and Civil Rights in Pennsylvania.” Pennsylvania Heritage. http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/portal/communities/pa-heritage/african-americans-civil-rights-pennsylvania.html.

Taylor, Vicky. “16-Feb-1980, 10-Public Opinion at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.come, https://www.newspapers.com/image/454489804/?terms=St.+James+AME+Church+Honors+Founder%2C+Early+Congregation+Chambersburg+PA.

Fries, Stella M., Janet Z Gabler, and Reverend Bernard Ruffin. Some Chambersburg Roots: A Black Perspective. Chambersburg, PA: Stella M. Fries, 1980.