Rev. James E. Murray, Jr. aka Spock
Rev. James E. Murray, Jr. aka Spock
James( aka) Mayrose curly headed brown skin baby boy was the first-born son and currently the oldest son to the late James E. Murray, Sr.( aka) Abullah Shakir and Mayrose Goodman Murray Moon. He has two siblings Michael and Glenda. As a young child, he grew up under the training of his oldest sister the late Vernell E. Murray Mason who taught him a lot about endurance while pressing forward. He was born in Crestwood on Gregg Street and later moved to Portlock, South hill and to Broadlawn. He attended church at New Mount Olive, AME Church and song in the Youth Choir, participated in youth activities as well as Sunday School and Bible Study.
He made a significant impact on the community though strong relationships with his neighbors and childhood friends. He attended South Hill Elementary School, Crestwood Middle School and Indian River High School. Yet, as an 8 th grader at Crestwood Middle School he was selected to be a part of the“ Who’ s Who” among youth at the College of William and Mary. Later he was he was mentored by his principal Mr. Scott.
James( aka) Spock was well known and was a well-dressed guy. Often during high school, you would find his talent on stage singing in school talent shows with Alan Hines and Chris Boyd and female background singers. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Norfolk State College majoring in Business Administration. He was well rounded and very efficient when it came to financial management. He has used his understanding of business to teach and educate while uplifting the kingdom of God.
His zeal and passion to serve increased to the point that he enlisted into the United States Army. It was not long afterwards that he realized his passion to serve had to be redefined. He consulted with his grandmother the late Sister Hattie Mae Lloyd Goodman who encouraged him to answer is divine call to serve. Ultimately, in 1977 he had to return to New Mount Olive AME church to preach his initial sermon. It was Rev. L. L. Carter who mentored him into ministry along with Rev. Charles Harvin, his spiritual brother in ministry. As his ministry and mission increased he was blessed with a friend Christine Murray and together they have two son’ s Gershom and Ishmael and their brother Christopher. He was a part of the 82rd Airborne Division. He was stationed in Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, NC, Fort Belvoir, Fairfax, VA and Korea. He served in the military for over 10 years.
He has served as an Associate Pastor and in 1994 he was blessed to become the Pastor of Allen Chapel, AME, Church, Charleston, West Virginia. In 1995, he married Yuolanda. at Allen Chapel. From there he gained a great relationship with his mother and father in law along with gaining a son Charles and nieces and nephews. Together they have seven beautiful grandchildren.
Since 1994, he has served three other congregations. Quinn Memorial AME, OH, St James AME Church, Pittsburgh, PA and currently Greater Mount Avery, Cleveland, OH.