Pastor Annie Parmalee, the founder of Saint James Temple Church was born in the Blackly community near Trio, South Carolina. She moved to Baltimore, Maryland at an early age. While she was there, she was baptized in Jesus' name and received the Holy Ghost. She later returned to South Carolina to spread the good news of Jesus. She was committed and determined to tell others about God. In 1930, she found a small house in the Taft community to have service. Many souls were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. In the 1930s she acquired a property in trio and built a small wood-framed church. The church was called Saint James Temple. Bro David Evans, Who was also baptized and receive the Holy Ghost under Pastor Parmalee, worked diligently with her in the ministry.
Pastor Parmalee had a desire for the ministry to grow. She knew there were others in South Carolina that needed to hear the gospel. She was directed by God to go to Andrews, South Carolina. A man by the name of buddy Himes provided a place for her to Have service. Many people came and were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. In the early 1940s, Pastor Parmalee and the members purchased a lot in Andrews. A small wood-frame church was built on the property. The church was called Heinz Chapel holiness church. Pastor Parmalee was a great woman of God and she left behind a great legacy. After the death of Pastor Parmalee, Elder Evans continue to preach and perform other ministerial duties at St. James. In 1952 Bishop Samuel Grimes appointed Elder Evans to be the pastor of Saint James Temple. Elder Ballard who was appointed to be the pastor of Heinz Chapel in 1949, resigned in 1955. Bishop Grimes appointed Elder Evans to be the pastor that same year. Some of the members that assisted Elder Evans in both churches were: the late sis. Blommer Holt, sis. Florence Morris, sis. Geneva Wright Duke and others.
How many join St. James temple in the 1950s and 1960s. They were mother Lavenia George, bro dart William Henry hen, sis. Hazel Mitchum, sis. Mary Holt, Elder Willie Mitchum, sis. Fanny Mitchum, sis. Luella Swinton, sis. Annie Mae Morris, sis. Lonnie Bell Tisdale, bro. Lucius Tisdale, the Evans family, and other family members. The members were always faithful and on fire for the Lord. There was a special bond of unity that existed among the members.
In the early 1970s, the little white wood-frame church was torn down and a larger church was arrested for worship. Several members joined during this time. They were: sis. Rosa McKnight, bro. George McKnight, sis docked Jacqueline Mitchum, sis. Lisa Holt, sis dart Lurleen Kinlaw, bro. David Presley, sis. Mary Presley, sis. Carolyn Davis, sis. Marilyn McRae, sis. Betty Mitchum and other family members. The Lord continues to bless others to join Saint James Temple. They were: sis. Lily for more, sis. Lavenia Smith, bro. Calvin Kegler, sis. Moles Tegler, sis. Myrtis Baker, sis. Or he Jean McKnight, bro. Quinten McKnight, evangelist Josephine major, and other family members.
St. James Temple Church has been a beacon of light in this community for over 70 years. Many people from other churches came to St. James Temple to hear the gospel preached. The same gospel is still being preached throughout South in North Carolina and other parts of the United States by men and women that were under the Pastore of elder David Evans.
