They feared God and knew He was their only source of hope. They also remembered a promise was made to Peter in Matthew 6:18 and 19, “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.”
This was received as a personal promise and became a commitment of a few concerned people in the community. In 1871, Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church was erected by Reverend A. James and was assisted by Brothers J. Davidson served as Pastor and the church secretary was S. B. Another group of committed members embarked upon a similar journey. Mr. Willis Newberry, Willis Newberry, Jr., and James Ferguson acquired land by paying $10.00 to Mr. W. G. Jones and his wife, Mrs. M. Taylor Jones with the intent to build a church. That church was known as The Bonham Church for Colored People. It was established August 27, 1875. In June of 1898, the church was renamed Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church under the pastorate of Reverend A. Green. Bethel A.M.E. Church was later renamed Rose Bud African Methodist Episcopal Church in the early 1900s. On August 30, 1919, the property of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church was purchased for $1.00. and Mrs. S. and Allie W. Capell sold one acre of land to the Trustees of the church. After worshipping and working side by side for many years, the members of both churches agreed and believed that there would be greater strength in their coming together. During the 4th Session of the Southwest Annual Conference, Saint James A.M.E Church and Rose Bud A.M.E. Church were merged to form one congregation: Rose Bud - Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church. As is common, everything everywhere must be governed by rules and regulations. Rose Bud - Saint James is located in the Ninth Episcopal District which encompasses the entire state of Alabama. The structure of the church begins with Bishops. Past Bishops who have served the District include: The Right Reverends Bonner, Cousin, C. E. Thomas, F. Reid, Z. L. Grady, T. Kirkland, and James L. Davis. The present Servant Bishop is The Right Reverend Harry L. Seawright. From a regional perspective, Rose Bud - Saint James is situated within the Camden District. Past Presiding Elders include, The Reverends Curry, Hall, E. Blankenship, B. F. Thompson, James Marshall, Leo Brock, L. Townsend, L. Watford, J. Jackson and Dr. Jacquelyn L. Denson. The current Presiding Elder is The Reverend Charles A. Lewis. Individual church pastors are appointed annually by the Presiding Bishop. Past Pastors who have served include: The Reverends McCants, H. Wright, James Braggs, F. Rubib, Joseph Hines, F. Kimbrough, Zollie Brewer, Sam Grace, J. Marshall, Bullard, Knight, Smith of Booth, Alabama, McCants, Cloud, J. C. Walton, M. Brock, M. Smith, Sylvester, D. Robinson, Ephraim, A. Thrasher, Louis Jackson, LaChaune Nicole Slater, Horace Winters, and Antoine Perrier. The current pastor is The Reverend Lydia Toney. We are grateful for the God-given vision of our ancestors to build a place where we could worship, fellowship and praise God together. As we continue laboring in God’s vineyard, we stand on the Word of God. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4) Truly, the Work is All Divine!
