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

St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Historic Landmark

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

1. St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Marker

Inscription. Began in 1833, the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is the earliest surviving church building in Ithaca. Noted to have been an important station on New York’s Underground Railroad, the Church continues to serve as a center for Ithaca’s African American community. This marker is dedicated in memory of Mrs. Eleanor E. Washington, (born August 24th, 1901 and died on June 29th, 1935) who was a direct descendant of nationally renowned abolitionist Harriet Tubman, a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Erected 1995 by Northside/Southside Program of the Tompkins County Senior Citizen’s Council Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 42° 26.262′ N, 76° 30.271′ W. Marker is in Ithaca, New York, in Tompkins County. It is on Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

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address: 114-16 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, 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: 26th Regiment (here, next to this marker); St. James AME Zion Church (a few steps from this marker); St. James AME Zion (a few steps from this marker); 310 West State Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jupiter (approx. 0.3 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 African Methodist Episcopal 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 African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Marker

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

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 4, 2025

5. St. James AME Zion Church Marker (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 184 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.