Ithaca in Tompkins County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

St. James AME Zion Church

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

1. St. James AME Zion Church Marker

Inscription. The St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, organized by Ithaca’s African Americans at the home of the Rev. Henry Johnson, was officially chartered in 1833. This church building was erected in 1836 on Wheat Street, now Cleveland Avenue. It became the religious, political and cultural heart of the community and in 1841, the site of a school for black children. It was home to Pastors Thomas James & Jermaine Loguen and host to Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 42° 26.259′ N, 76° 30.278′ W. Marker is in Ithaca, New York, in Tompkins County. It is on Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. In front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Cleveland Avenue, Ithaca NY 14850, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Southern Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. James AME Zion (here, next to this marker); St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (a few steps from this marker); 26th Regiment (a few steps from this marker); 310 West State Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jupiter (approx. 0.4 miles away); Saturn (approx. 0.4 miles away); First White Settlers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tompkins County World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ithaca.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

2. St. James AME Zion Church Marker

St. James AME Zion Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

3. St. James AME Zion Church

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

4. St. James AME Zion Church Marker

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

5. St. James AME Zion Church Marker

St. James AME Zion Church Marker (entered separately) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

6. St. James AME Zion Church Marker (entered separately)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. This page has been viewed 949 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.