ABOUT US

Mother Earlene Taylor was led to start bible study and fellowship with a group of like-minded believers in the Washington, D.C. During her search for church leadership, she met the late Bishop J. C. Richarson, Sr., Presider of the Apostle Churches of Christ in God (ACCG) organization and a new ACCG church was sanctioned on October 15, 1966 (St. James Apostle Church of Christ in God). Among the original members were Mary Helen James, Mabel Barrett, Lillie Dunston, Bruedell Brown, Willie Latimore, and their respective families. The members later purchased an old cleaners building on the corner of 15th and Swann Streets in N. W. Washington D.C, that was transformed into a sanctuary and served as the physical home for the church for over 55 years.

Throughout the history of the church, we had several transitions in pastoral leadership. However, the core group of believers were the ones who established the heart of the organization that focused on grace and love towards one another. In 1995, Elder Robert S. Conward, our current Pastor and Bishop was installed. With this installation also came the merging of St. James with Restoration Praise Fellowship (church that was pastored by Pastor Conward at the time). This merger resulted in the church’s new and current name - St. James Restoration Apostle Church of Christ in God. We are grateful for Bishop Conward’s 30 years of service to the ministry.

In May of 2021, the D.C. location was sold in hopes of finding a larger edifice. We continue to worship virtually and in person with our sister churches during this time of transition. We continue to rejoice that God remains faithful, and we strive to remain faithful to reach those who need us. Our founder and pillars are with the Lord now, but their love, strength, and undying faith remain as we continue to build upon the legacy of love they started and strengthen our relevance to the world we are called to serve. In 2026, we will be celebrating 60 years as a ministry. We are excited about the next part of our journey and invite you to come along with us.

Our Beliefs

· We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

· We believe in the oneness of the Godhead, bodily manifested in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (Colossians 2:9–10)

· We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His immaculate conception, sinless life, atoning death on the cross, and His resurrection. (2 Corinthians 5:20–21)

· We believe that, because of the fall of mankind, salvation requires a spiritual rebirth through genuine repentance. (John 3:3–7)

· We believe in baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36–38)

· We believe in the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper as a holy sacrament of the Church. (Mark 14:22–25)

· We believe  in the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues. (Acts 2:1–4)

· We believe  in justification by faith and in living a holy life through divine sanctification. (Romans 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

· We believe  in the Second Coming of Christ and His Millennial Reign. (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 20:4)

· We believe  in the Final Judgment and the creation of a New Heaven and a New Earth. (Revelation 21:1–4)

· We believe in the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and in His return to rapture His Church. (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17)