James Clement Kelly Sr. was born on Saturday afternoon, September 29, 1928 in Bethlehem Pennsylvania to the late Mabel and Samuel H. Kelly Sr. His birth completed the family of four children. He transitioned this life for his Eternal Home on Wednesday, September 16, 2015.
James attended and graduated from the Public Schools in Bethlehem. He served in the United States Army (1951-1953)
as an Infantryman in Korea, where he received the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant, after serving an additional six years (1959) in the United States Army Reserve.
Having accepted Christ at an early age at St. John A.M.E. Zion Church in Bethlehem, God spoke to his young heart at three years of age. His passion was to become a Minister of the Gospel, which lasted for over 50 years. After returning from Korea, James joined the Firm Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was licensed to preach in 1954. He was ordained at Fellowship Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan in 1955.
James married Loretta Barnes on Saturday, April 9, 1955 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They later moved to Detroit Michigan, where James served his Ministerial internship at The Tabernacle Baptist Church in Detroit, under the mentorship of Dr. Jesse Jai McNeil.
The young Kelly family with 3 small children, relocated to Richmond, Virginia in 1962, where James would continue his education.
He attended Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in 1964, and then attended the Graduate School of Religion, where he earned the Masters of Divinity (M.DIV) Degree in 1967. Because of his many achievements, Virginia Union conferred upon him, the honorary degree, of Doctor of Divinity, (D.D.) May, 1983.
Reverend Kelly was called to Pastor his first church, Gravel Hill Baptist Church in Richmond from 1963 until 1965. He was later called to Pastor the Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond from 1965 until December, 1976. While pastoring in Richmond, he was one of two African Americans appointed by the Richmond City Council, to serve on the Human Relations Committee, for the City of Richmond.
After much prayer, The Kelly family relocated to Jamaica, New York, where he pastored the Calvary Baptist Church (1977-1988). On September 11, 1988, Dr. James C. Kelly Sr. became the Founder and Pastor of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jamaica, New York. On December 31, 2004, after the Annual “Watch Night” Service, Dr. James C. Kelly Sr. retired from New Jerusalem Baptist Church. On January 1, 2005, he and Mrs. Kelly relocated to Apopka, Florida.
Once again, Reverend Kelly accepted the call as Interim Pastor of Washington Shores Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida which is the only African American Presbyterian Church in Central Florida.
Reverend Kelly received numerous awards, accommodations and accolades during his more than 50 years in the Gospel Ministry, including the coveted Golden Heritage Award from the N.A.A.C.P. He is listed in “Who’s Who among Black Americans” (1980-1981). His High School, Bethlehem High (Class of 1947), honored him with a plaque “Alumni of Distinction”. He also served in numerous Civic and religious capacities, including Vice President, Richmond Virginia Branch, N.A.A.C.P., President, State of Virginia Progressive National Baptist Convention, President, New York State Progressive National Baptist Convention, Chairman, Home Mission Board, Progressive National Baptist Convention and President of the Eastern Region, Progressive National Baptist Convention. He was past Treasurer of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York and President Emeritus of the Southeast Queens Clergy for Community Empowerment (SQCCE), which is now named Clergy United for Community Empowerment (CUCE).
Reverend Kelly was a Prince Hall Mason and a member of Lebanon Lodge #54 in Jamaica, New York. In 1991, he was awarded the 33 degree honor. Beginning in January, 1996 he was voted by Lebanon Lodge, where he faithfully served as Chaplain, to become a Lifetime Member. In January 1988, Reverend and Mrs. Kelly traveled to Italy and he was named Honorary Past Master, of Robert B. Croxton Lodge #128 (Prince Hall). He was also a member and Chaplain of the Jamaica (Queens), New York Rotary Club and later a member of the Rotary Club of Orlando, Florida, member of the Queens Federation of Churches, member of the Queens Baptist Ministers Conference, member of the New York City Mission Society, and a Board Member of Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York.
Reverend Kelly will always be remembered for his tremendous personality. He “practiced what he preached” i.e. (tithing). He was a Pastor in every sense of the word. He gave his all and never complained. Some of his greatest accomplishments in his ministry were being able to save souls for Christ, licensing and ordaining other ministers and his love for young people, who loved him as their Father and Pastor. Because of his humility, Reverend Kelly was always comfortable to walk with “Kings and Paupers”. Prestige and position did not alter his will or call to serve God or mankind. He was gifted with compassion, sensitivity, a generous spirit and an open mind.
Pastor Kelly’s ministry included creativity, innovativeness and a genuine and sincere concern for his members. He was referred to by young and old as “A Man before his Time”. He was always a progressive Thinker and Doer.
James, affectionately called “Jim”, loved and lived life to the fullest. God was always first and foremost in everything he did.
He had an easy, patient manner. Because of his lack of pretense and ready sense of humor, he had a wide circle of friends. Dr. Kelly was blessed to have the love of his life, Loretta, wife of 60 years to share in his ministry. She was a “First Lady” in every way, to her husband and her church family. She sacrificed her time, devotion, faithfulness and loyalty.
James C. Kelly Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Mabel Kelly, brother, Samuel Jr.; sisters, Marian Carter and Pauline Arrington.
His mission is now accomplished. Our family will preserve his legacy and accomplishments and rejoice in his memory. Those who will also cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Loretta; daughters, Susan and Lynne; son James Jr. (Christina); grandchildren, Shana, Randy Jr., Nicole, Danielle (Antonio), Eric (Andrea), Corinne, Bobby Jr., Jeanece, Adrienne, Tia, Jada, Maya and Gabriella; great-grandchildren, Cinque, Arianna, Malia, Amiya, Emily; niece, Paula Arrington of Cambria Heights, New York; nephews, Freddie Kelly of California; Allen and Chester Carter of Detroit, Michigan; sister-in-laws, Erma Kelly of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Freda Banks of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Donald Banks of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; cousin, Mary Woolfolk of Delaware and her sons, John Harvey, Gerald and Ronald; Godson, Michael (Valerie) Dixon of Richmond, Virginia and a host of other relatives and friends that will miss his inimitable smile and candor for which he was so well known and loved.
To the many who loved him and whom he loved, his farewell to each of you would be: “Jesus is still the light of the World”
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness Judge, will award to me on that day.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5