St. James Baptist Church Fort Smith, Ar History from the St James Missionary Baptist web site Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Ar founded in collaboration with a group of a devote Christians, Reverend Joe Gray, Reverend J.A.Harrisand, Reverend James Mitchell, with Reverend Joe Gray serving as Pastor. Due to the absence of pertinent documented records June 1893 was accepted as the Church's official birth month and year! Saint James was established at South 4th and I Streets in Fort Smith, Ar. Reverend Gray served as Pastor for nine years. In 1902, those faithful members rebuilt the church on South 4th and I St. with Reverend A.J. Jones serving as Pastor. Upon the passing of Rev. A.J. Jones, several ministers served as Pastor of Saint James from 1902 to 1933: Reverend Bush, Reverend Jamison, Reverend Shelton, Reverend J.C. Price, and Reverend R.V. Simpson. The second location of Saint James was 701 South 6th Street in Fort Smith. The City of Fort Smith donated bricks, once used to pave the city streets, for the building of the church. It was through the dedication of the women of Saint James (cleaning and refurbishing the bricks) and the men of Saint James (hauling the bricks and building the structure) that the new place of worship was built. Fort Smith Times - March 10, 1902 names mentioned: Pruett Fort Smith News Record - April 13, 1902 names mentioned: Jones Fort Smith News Record - April 24, 1905