St. James Colored Methodist Episcopal Church
historic place
The St. James Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in Tyler, Smith County, Texas, was a significant historic place. The building, thought to have been constructed between 1889 and 1891, was later modified into its Classical Revival form around 1920. This church was a central institution within Tyler's African American community, reflecting segregated development patterns. It also played a role in the founding and support of Texas College, an African American college established in 1894. The St. James Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The historic building, which stood for over a century, was unfortunately demolished in April 2023 due to deterioration. Its enduring historical importance to the African American community in Tyler is significant.