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Celebrating the life of the Reverend A. Lincoln James, Jr.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 13, 2026
WHEREAS, the Reverend A. Lincoln James, Jr., a highly admired faith leader who strengthened the Richmond community through his commitment to humanitarian outreach and advocacy, died on December 17, 2025; and
WHEREAS, A. Lincoln James was born in Richmond, Virginia, to the Reverend A. Lincoln James, Sr., and Cora Rose Thompson James, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where he earned a bachelor's degree from what is now North Park University; and
WHEREAS, faith played a central role in A. Lincoln James' life from a young age, and after receiving a master of divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University, he served as a youth minister under his father at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, A. Lincoln James subsequently returned to the Commonwealth to lead congregations in Kilmarnock, Petersburg, and Prince George County before joining Richmond's Trinity Baptist Church in 1980; and
WHEREAS, as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church for more than 45 years, A. Lincoln James provided wise spiritual counsel to members of the congregation, community leaders, and local and state officials; and
WHEREAS, A. Lincoln James helped Trinity Baptist Church grow in both faith and number, with the congregation reaching as many as 2,000 members during his distinguished tenure; he inspired many individuals to pursue the ministry and ordained the first female deacons in the church's history; and
WHEREAS, in addition, A. Lincoln James oversaw the construction of the Trinity Family Life Center, which provides programs and services for young people, families, and a wide range of people in need throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, A. Lincoln James provided his wisdom, insights, and leadership to the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, the Virginia Baptist State Convention, Inc., and the University of Lynchburg Board of Trustees; he also mentored and inspired young spiritual leaders as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his first wife, Mary, and one son, Alexander III, A. Lincoln James will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Louise; his children, Torrey, Sr., and Alexandra, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend A. Lincoln James, Jr.; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend A. Lincoln James, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.