Historic Zion Baptist Church in Columbia installed Rev. Dr. James Palmer, Jr. as its 13th pastor on Sunday, October 11, 2026, marking a new chapter for the congregation founded in 1865.
The installation celebration was held under the theme “One Body and One Spirit in Christ,” drawn from Ephesians 4:4–6.
The weekend’s observances began Wednesday, October 7, with a dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and an evening prayer service at 6:30 p.m. On installation Sunday, morning worship began at 11 a.m., followed by the Pastoral Installation Service at 3 p.m. and a reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
Rev. Dr. Peter M. Wherry, pastor of Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, preached during morning worship. Rev. Dr. Blakely N. Scott, pastor of Columbia’s First Nazareth Baptist Church, served as the installation preacher.
Palmer was elected by the congregation in June 2026 to become Zion’s 13th pastor. A Petersburg, Virginia, native, he brings more than three decades of experience in ministry, education, counseling, and leadership.
He is a retired U.S. Army Chaplain Colonel who entered the Army as a chaplain in December 1992 and served for 31 years. In 2021, he was appointed the 44th commandant of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School—now the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership—at Fort Jackson, becoming only the second African American chaplain to hold that post in the school’s then-107-year history.
His military honors include three Legion of Merit awards and the Bronze Star Medal.
Palmer’s connection to Columbia extends beyond his Army service at Fort Jackson. He is a member of First Nazareth Baptist Church, remains active with the Columbia Branch of the NAACP, serves on the board of Gozo Health Corporation, and is a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
He was inducted into the Columbia Greek Hall of Fame in July 2024 in recognition of his military career and community contributions.