Christian men and women of vision, strength and conviction took leadership in establishing the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

In the fall of 1917, Rev. J. E. Robinson, at that time, a Deacon in the A. M. E. Zion Church, Rossville, Staten Island, New York, came to Perth Amboy to aid John Gibbs in starting an A. M. E. Zion Church. The Lord had shown him a vision that Perth Amboy was an ideal place to start a house of worship and had directed him to John Gibbs. Charles Smith, a Methodist, had expressed the desire for a Methodist church to be erected here. A meeting was held in John Gibbs' parlor at 99 DeKalb Avenue. Present were: Rev. Robinson, Rev. James Decker and Fritzi Mitchell of Rossville, Brothers Thomas Henry, J. Alfred Skelton, and John Gibbs of Perth Amboy. Rev. Decker served as moderator of the meeting.

In January 1918, John Gibbs questioned James Rogers as to his business in a store at 351 Oak Street. Rogers explained that the Lord had sent him a vision, that the people were very wicked and unless they were revived, He would destroy them. He said the Lord had promised to send him help to start a "reviving" church. John Gibbs was also trying to secure a place to start a Methodist mission. James Rogers felt John Gibbs was the man the Lord promised to send to assist him. When deciding on a church name, James Rogers submitted "St. James Reviving Church" and Rev. Robinson submitted "St. James A. M. E. Zion Church." A motion was carried to name the church "St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church" in recognition of James Rogers.

The first service of the St. James A. M. E. Zion Church was held January 24, 1919. Rev. James E. Robinson pastored in the storefront building at 351 Oak Street. The officers were: Trustees - John Gibbs and J. Alfred Skelton, Sr.; Class Leaders - Thomas Henry and Charles Smith; President of the Christian Endeavor - James Rogers; Superintendent of Sunday School - Alfred Skelton, Sr. Mrs. Edith Gibbs headed the Music Department assisted by Mrs. Marie Henry and Miss Elvira Hartnett. Miss Hartnett became the official church organist in 1925 and continued in that capacity for 60 years. Fredrick Henry, son of Mrs. Marie Henry, assisted her at the piano and organ during the 1940's. Mrs. Rosetta Dove served as the Junior Choir Director and Organist. Later, Fredrick became the official organist and served until retiring around 1997 due to illness. Currently Lloyd Boyden is the Director of Music and Robert Gamble is the Youth Director of Music.

Shortly after being assigned to pastor St. James, Rev. Obadiah G. Goodwin became interested in the desires of the members to build. A financial drive in 1923 netted $700.00. This money was placed in a building fund and grew to $1,600.00. The church was incorporated in September 1923. The Officers of Incorporation were: John Gibbs, Charles Smith, J. Alfred Skelton, Fredrick Lake and Ambrose Finch. Subsequently, negotiations were started to purchase the present site, which was then known as "The Lawrence Estate". When the residents of the neighborhood became aware of plans to erect a church on this site, they made an agreement with the owners not to sell it to the congregation. Rev. Goodwin, aware of that opposition, convinced his employer, Mr. Madsen, President of the Perth Amboy Hardware Co., to purchase the property and sell it to the congregation. The purchase price was $1,700.00. When the Incorporators were ready to make the purchase, they discovered they were short $200.00. Rev. Goodwin and John Gibbs each loaned the Church $100.00. Mr. Madsen obtained the services of Mr. James Brooks (a young Negro architect), at half the regular charge to draw up building plans. A contract was signed with a builder, Mr. Soren Olsen, to erect the present building at a cost of $14,985.00.

Men like Dock F. Myers, Theodore Leach, James A Skelton, Sr., John Gibbs, Fred Lake, Nathaniel Richardson, Benjamin Horne, James Rogers, William A Gumbs, Sr., Charles Smith, Daniel Skelton, Sr., Daniel Hodge, Sr., and others worked endlessly doing manual labor. The Tottenville New York Brick Yard donated bricks. With Mr. Madsen's assistance, Perth Amboy Hardware Co. supplied the heating plant and radiators at a nominal cost. During the depression years, when paying the mortgage was difficult, the bank decreased the interest rate from 4% to 1%.

On the forth Sunday in July 1925, The Morning Star Lodge #12, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Elks Lodge of Perth Amboy shared in laying the cornerstone.

When the building was completed and ready for occupancy, the congregation was $2,000.00 short of the terms of the contract. Loans were made by Rev. Goodwin and John Gibbs in order to meet the terms.

The first worship service in the new edifice was held on Sunday, September 25, 1925. The formal Dedication Service was held on Sunday, January 15, 1926. A milestone had been reached, and throughout this momentous occasion there prevailed a spiritual atmosphere of unity, satisfaction, accomplishment and most of all Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the things He has done.

The Annual Conference Year ending May 1926 resulted in the transfer of Rev. Goodwin to another parish. The Pastors in successive years include:

Rev. J. V. Virgil May 1926 - May 1927 Rev. Johnson May 1927 - May 1928 Rev. Lewis May 1928 - May 1930 Rev. J. L. Collins May 1930 - Jan 1933 Rev. W. E. Carrington Jan. 1933 - May 1933 Rev. Omega Jones May 1933 - May 1939 Rev. Carlton R. Smith May 1939 - May 1943 Rev. Carlton R. Smith May 1953 - May 1959 Rev. Guilford K. Davis May 1959 - Dec 1964 Rev. G. Sidney Waddell Dec 1964 - May 1967 Rev. Victor L. Carson May 1967 - May 1980 Rev. James G. Flowers May 1980 - May 1983 Rev. Guilford K. Davis May 1983 - May 2000 Rev. Vincent T. Frosh May 2000 - July 2001 Rev. Vince L. Monden Aug. 2001 - May 2004 Rev. Bonita H. Owens May 2004 – May 2006 Rev. Amos Dickerson May 2006 - Present