Discovered unexpectedly during the restoration of San Pedro Creek in 2020, the original foundations of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church revealed a powerful chapter of San Antonio’s Reconstruction-era history. Founded in 1867, St. James AME Church was the first AME church in San Antonio and became a center for worship, education, civil rights, political participation, and community leadership for generations of Black San Antonians.

Now transformed into the St. James AMEC Culture Crossing, the site features “Presence of the Past,” a large-scale public art installation by internationally recognized artist Gordon Huether, alongside the Community Engagement Pavilion featuring poetry and community storytelling by San Antonio Poet Laureate Emeritus Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson. Together, these works create a space for reflection, gathering, and celebration rooted in the voices and histories of the community.

An evening discussion exploring the history, cultural significance, and continuing impact of St. James AME Church and the San Pedro Creek site. See list of speakers below.

Panelists for Friday June 19:

Gordon Huether, Lead Artist

Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, Poet Laureate Emeritus of San Antonio

Steve Tompka of Raba Kistner, Archeologist

Pastor Cynthia Ladson, St. James AME Church

Lon Taylor, St. James AME Church

Everett Fly, SAAACAM Historian

Katherine Kuehler Walters, PhD, Historian, archivist, editor, and research consultant