Our Church History and Mission Statement

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The New St. James Community Church was founded on principles of Faith and Love on September 25th, 1949. We are the first African American UMC Church in Milwaukee, which began with five members meeting in homes. As a Flagship Church, we were inspired by a devoted prayer band, which started a new outlook for our congregation of ministry. The New St. James began its ministry at the corner of 11th and Brown, then transferred to the corner of 24th and Keefe, where the church spent most of its tenure, a recent ministry transfer at 38th and Silver Spring, and currently resides at the Gordon Park Pavilion, where we are the “Church in the Park”. The New St. James was led by 15 Pastors since our founder, Rev. Hermes Zimmerman, planted an inspirational outlook for our church’s spiritual vision. Some of our featured Pastors ranged from: Philip Harley, Dr. Charles A.Talbert, Rev. Abraham Carey, Rev. JP Pierce, Rev. Deborah Thompson, Rev. Harold Garrett, Rev. Lawrence McGuin, Rev. Herbert McGuin, Rev. Velma Smith, and Rev. Vernon Moore. Also, the church has given opportunities to new believers of lay speakers, and future pastors to follow the principles of ministry that enabled them to carry the faith and love that was presented and summarized. We are also evolving, and to enable our ministry to seek new endeavors of our mission and purpose of our cause with Prayer, Faith, and love in the Milwaukee Community.

Mission Statement: “A church whose mission is……To make, encourage, and enable Disciples of Christ to do God’s Work.”