St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is located on what used to be Spring Street, now W. F. Ragin Drive, in Perry, Georgia.  The church was organized in the late 1800's by Reverend James Robinson, and was named after him.  St. James is part of the General Connection, Sixth Episcopal, Fort Valley/Savannah District, of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  Many other pastors serviced St. James CME throughout the years, one of which, was Reverend C. C. Burnam, who was appointed Pastor of the Perry Circuit.  His charge lasted for six years and a parsonage was built during his pastorship, which at one time was located next to the church.

In the mid 1900's, our church foundation was erected and it was not until the appointment of Reverend H. P. Golden, that what is presently known as the H. P. Golden Fellowship Hall, was completed in 1954.  Reverend H. P. Golden adminstered the rebuilding of that building and it was named in his honor.  Under Reverend Golden's leadership, St. James CME hosted its first Annual Conference.  After Reverend Golden, Reverend C. C. Hunter, Reverend Cooper and Reverend Rumph followed in succession.  St. James was also pastored by the Reverends Pettigrew and Johnson, as the church continued to grow.  Reverend Walter L. Patterson was appointed in 1980 and served for 11 years, and the church experienced tremendous growth.  Reverend J. Wilburn was appointed in 1991 and youth involvement was encouraged through the forming of the Acolytes.  Pastor Wilburn had a vision of a new church and of services to be held each Sunday.  

"Hear the Word; Believe the Word; Apply the Word" was the mission statement that was spoken each Sunday by Reverend J. Jackson, who was appointed in 1994.  Like Pastor Wilburn, Reverend Jackson also had a vision of a new church.  In that year, St. James was no longer part of a circuit, and began worship service each Sunday.  The church began to experience a resurgence of growth in membership and spirituality.  New ministries were added to accomodate the growth.  When Reverend Willie Wright was appointed in 2001, the vision of the Reverends Wilburn and Jackson became a reality.  

The year 2002 brought the Annual Conference to St. James' new building and during that Conference, Reverend Randy King was appointed as St. James' Pastor.  He wanted the expectancy of continual growth to be blessed upon the church. 

The history of St. James would not have been completed without the Officials of the Church, past and present Presiding Elders and Bishops:  Elder N. J. Smith, Elder E. L. Green, Elder J. L. Key, Elder Henry Jones, Elder Perry Poole, Bishop Randolph Shy, Bishop Joseph C. Coles and presently, the Elder Raymond D. Ford and Bishop Othal Lakey.

The new Sanctuary was dedicated on April 27, 2003.