St. James AME Zion Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion church in Ithaca, United States.
St. James AME Zion Church is a two-story wooden building with a four-story entrance tower and high foundation located in Ithaca. The rose window at the front was added in 1945 and gives the structure its distinctive appearance.
The original stone meetinghouse was built in 1836 by 136 African American residents and remains the oldest church structure in Ithaca. The building served as a significant station in networks that helped enslaved people reach safety during the 1800s.
Ministers Thomas James and Jermain Wesley Loguen conducted antislavery work while Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman visited the congregation.
The church holds regular services and welcomes visitors interested in learning about its history and significance. Access is through the main entrance at the base of the prominent tower.
Archaeological investigations in 2020 examined the grounds to better understand the building's specific role in protecting approximately 100 enslaved people. The research helped clarify the historical connections of the site.
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