St. James AME Church is located on Old Oak Ridge Road, just a little east of Oak Ridge Military Academy and Highway 68. The site has a lot of history in Guilford County. According to the sign in the above photo, it was purchased in 1889 by Oak Ridge’s oldest African -American community. It served as a school house for African-American children until 1915 when a schoolhouse was built next door. There is a cemetery behind the church with graves that date back to 1900. On the edge of the property, you can still see old wooden structures that appear to be tobacco barns, echoing North Carolina’s agricultural past.

In the front yard of St James AME is the Oak Ridge First Baptist Church. Across the street is the Oak Ridge United Methodist Church. From cradle to grave, there is something for just about everyone is this little spot in northwest Guilford County. We’ll show you more in upcoming weeks. Better yet, take a Sunday drive and see for yourself. It ia a beautiful area with wonderful people who know a lot about their history.