History
Early in 1884, seven families wrote to the Bishop and asked the Methodist Church to send them a pastor to help in organizing. The Rev. R.E. Gillum, Sr., presiding elder of the Topeka District, came and the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church was founded.
The first church was built on the corner of Seventh and Santa Fe. Later, as the town grew, the city bought that property for the municipal light plant. The members moved to Seventh and Sycamore. The city then bought this property. The present site was finally purchased. Worship for a time was held in a house on the property. In 1930 Rev. Frederick Clay began to lay plans for a permanent church building. In 1932 the General Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church approved the recommendation to build. In 1933 the building was completed.
St. James stands today as a result of the vision and dreams that Christians years ago dared to speak. Through their hard work, sacrifices, prayers, loves, and faith, the church came into being.