St. James A.M.E. Church was organized in 1863. This congregation was originally called “Old Ashbury”, the name given by worshippers shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation. The present church is built on land granted by act of the Georgia Legislature in 1873. It was erected in 1876 under the pastorate of Rev. Wesley J. Gaines at a cost of $20,000. The building is of frame construction with exterior walls of solid masonry and handmade brick. The graceful central tower and flanking turrets were added in 1886 during the ministry of Rev. L. L. Thomas. The church has been called the finest example of Victorian Gothic Revival in Columbus and Saint James A.M.E. ranks as the second oldest church of the denomination in Georgia.