Saint James A.M.E. Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker at Saint James A.M.E. Church in Milford tells it. Now let me give you the full story as I hear it.

Some things in Texas start small and end up standing for a very long time. This is one of those things. The year was 1883.

A man named Reverend Joshua Goins, Senior, had a vision, and like most visions worth having, it didn't begin in a grand building with stained glass and twin towers. It began in somebody's living room. Pleasant Zollicoffer opened the doors of his home, and that's where the congregation of Saint James A.M.E.

Church first gathered. Just people, just faith, just the willingness to show up. From there, they moved to the Odd Fellows' Hall.

Still no permanent home, but the church was growin', finding its feet, building something that couldn't yet be seen in wood and stone. Then came 1907. That's when this congregation did something that has outlasted every doubt anyone might have had about them.

They erected a church structure, and they didn't just throw up four walls and call it done. Whoever put hand to this building brought exceptional craftsmanship to every inch of it. Twin towers rising skyward.

A gabled facade facing out to the world. Rounded Romanesque windows letting in the light. Gothic Revival details that said, quietly but firmly, we are here and we intend to stay.

Saint James A.M.E. is Milford's oldest African-American church and building. Started in a home in 1883. Still standing.

Some things in Texas, once they take root, don't budge.

What the marker says

This church was organized by the Rev. Joshua Goins, Sr., in 1883. Services began in the home of Pleasant Zollicoffer and moved to the Odd Fellows' Hall before this church structure was erected in 1907. This building exhibits exceptional craftsmanship and incorporates Gothic Revival style details such as twin towers and gabled facade and Romanesque style rounded windows. Saint James is Milford's oldest African - American church and building.