On January 18, 1952, Elder William M. James, Sr. was appointed to Pastor the Manhattan

Tabernacle Church of God in Christ located at 3426 Chase Street (North Toledo) Toledo, Ohio.

 

Elder William James, Sr. and six women made up the first congregation. The names of those historical

pillars of our great church were: Hazel Brooks, Stella Joy, Lillian Oliver, Ora Lee Reed, Addie Winters, and

Mary Townsend. As the church’s membership increased Elder James progressed in God’s vision by securing

a larger facility of worship.

 

In January of 1959, Elder James with a membership of approximately 28 contracted to purchase the vacant Trinity Lutheran Church and school located at 801 Vance Street. With the manifestation of the new vision the church name was changed and incorporated to St. James Holiness Church of God in Christ. The central theme and foundation was the practice of Holy Living, and Praise & Worship, which gave rise to the additional phases of the vision: The Latter Rain Ministry and Intercessory Prayer.

 

Making the vision plain was realized by Elder James in November of 1977, as the St. James Church family contracted to purchase approximately twenty-two acres of land on Nebraska Avenue.

 

The vision of Bishop William James would eventually include the name change to “The Armory Church” which would be built on this site and focus on equipping people for service in the local church, the community and in the world.

In 1984, the St. James Congregation moved to its present facilities 3319 Nebraska Avenue in Toledo, Ohio. The Church seats approximately three thousand, has a balcony, education building, gym and administrative offices.

 

In June of 2000, Dr. William M. James, Jr. was appointed by Bishop Chandler David Owens Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ as the Pastor of St. James “The Armory” Church, at the home going of his father, Bishop William Morgan James, Sr.