James Varick A.M.E. Zion Church is the combined congregations of the former Varick Memorial Temple A.M.E. Zion and Saint James A.M.E. Zion Church. Together, these two churches have served God and Zion for nearly 200 Years.

Varick Memorial Temple – On May 27, 1908 during a session of the General Conference, which convened at Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Philadelphia, PA the Varick Church, was set apart as a memorial to James Varick, the first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The first location for this new church was the corner of 19th and Lombard Streets. The first Pastor was Rev. W. D. Battle. Under his pastorate, the congregation grew and prospered. In 1910, they were able to purchase and move into a larger building, located at 19th and Catharine Streets. They remained at this location until the late 1990’s. Having survived “The Great Depression”, mortgages and changes in pastors, the church found they could not withstand the decrease in membership and the vast deterioration of the building. As they began the search for a new location, the invitation was extended to share space with St. James A.M.E. Zion Church. The Pastor, Rev. William G. Rogers accepted the invitation.

St. James – On October 3, 1936 Rev. James E. Dennis gathered together his family and a small group of Christians families, and together they established a Methodist Church that would spiritually enrich the South Philadelphia Community. In 1947, Rev. Dennis desired to become a part of an established Methodist body. Being inspired by Bishop C. C. Alleyne, it was decided they would become a part of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Rev. Dennis and the congregation worshiped in several locations throughout the city while searching for a permanent home for the church. Finding a lot at 20th & Reed Streets in South Philadelphia, he made the purchase and built the current building. After being consecrated by Bishop Dunston, the congregation of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church moved into their new building in the mid 70’s. They continued to grow and prosper; the families who comprised the original membership continued to support the church through the years. Like so many congregations, the membership began to dwindle and responsibilities became harder to meet.

James Varick A.M.E. Zion Church – Varick Memorial Temple and St. James shares worship space for several years, having their morning services at different times. However, due to the dwindling congregations of both churches, in September of 2007, the Presiding Prelate at that time, Bishop Warren Matthew Brown, officially combined the two congregations into one church. He gave the new name as St. James/Varick A.M.E. Zion Church, keeping parts of both names for the new body. The name was later changed by vote of the congregation to James Varick A.M.E. Zion Church. The first appointed Pastor of this new church was Rev. William Gary Rogers, Sr. On November 1, 2009 they held a Unity Service. There was a lighting of the Unity Candle by the oldest active member from each of the previous churches, Sis. Barbara Lucas from St. James and Sis. Louise Mack from Varick Memorial. During the candle lighting, a Unity Declaration was read to the congregation.
This combined church has a historic list of Pastors, three of whom have served the Connection on the Episcopal level as Bishops. They are: Bishop E.B. Watson, Bishop J. D. Cauthen and Bishop R. L. Speaks.
This congregation continues to thrive and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the community under the Godly leadership of our current Pastor, Rev. Damon N. Carver.