Greater St. James Ministry Team

Dr. Torrance A. Markham, Sr.

Pastor / 1st Jurisdiction Superintendent

Torrance A. Markham, Sr. has been the pastor of the Greater St. James Temple Institutional Church of God in Christ of North Chicago for 28 years. Under his leadership, in 1997, the Greater St. James Temple Church became one of the pioneering African American congregations in Lake County to partner with PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), becoming an overnight shelter each Monday night (from October thru April) for the homeless community. The church reached out to assist in the rehabilitation of the chemically dependent through its partnership with Gateway Foundation of Lake Villa.

In 2002, a strong partnership was established with the YWCA of Lake County. Programs such as the Summer Camp Program, the Before School Breakfast Club, and the Kid’s Day-Off Program have been a needed support to families in the North Chicago community. Pastor Markham desired to impact the lives of the incarcerated and their families in the community. The church expanded its ministry at the Lake County Jail through Bible studies and worship services, and partnered with Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree, helping to provide hundreds of Christmas gifts for children with an incarcerated parent. In 1998, he partnered with the Nineteenth Judicial Court, Division of Adult Probation to assist clients in fulfilling their time of service to the community.

In 2001, upon seeing the tremendous needs of the North Chicago and Lake County communities, Pastor Markham organized a non-profit faith-based corporation named the Greater St. James Community Development Corporation (GSJCDC) of North Chicago, Illinois. Since that time, the GSJCDC has awarded over $33,000 in financial scholarships to deserving high school and continuing college students in the Lake County community and, in 2009, donated $11,000 to the North Chicago Community High School for new auditorium seats. Through his leadership, the GSJCDC has partnered with local non-profit organizations to distribute free Christmas toys to hundreds of children throughout the community. The GSJCDC united with the former Tabitha Community Services of Chicago to give assistance to thousands affected by domestic violence and homelessness on the west side of Chicago. In 2011, the GSJCDC began a “Readers Are Leaders” program which gives free tutoring in reading, writing and math.

In 2013 and 2017, Pastor Torrance A. Markham, Sr. was duly elected as an alderman for the 5th Ward of the City of North Chicago. In that capacity, he continues to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee, member of the Judiciary Committee and former Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee. He has received certificates from both the City of North Chicago Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academies. He has received the College of Lake County Harambee Award, the Waukegan Township Drum Major Award, the People’s Voice Most Influential African American Inspirational Award, and Certificates of Appreciation from the former Tabitha House Shelter of Chicago, the Governor of Illinois, and the YWCA of Lake County.

Pastor Markham has served diligently in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. on numerous levels. On a jurisdictional level, he has served as a member of the Finance Committee, Vice-President of the Youth Department, Jurisdictional Assembly Secretary, Ordination Board Secretary, Jurisdictional Secretary, Secretary of the Pastor’s Extension Fund, Vice-Chairman of the Pastors and Elders Council, and District Superintendent. He also received the 1997 Pastor of the Year Award. On a national level, Pastor Markham has served as a member of the Sergeant at Arms for the General Assembly, member of the Constitutional Convention, a Security Marshall, former Director of Missions for Chile for the Church of God in Christ World Missions and an Executive Committee member for the National Pastors and Elders Council of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.

In September 2002, Pastor Markham and the Greater St. James Temple congregation were tremendously honored to entertain the International Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, the late Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson of Memphis, TN. This was an honor that the entire Lake County community has not forgotten. Pastor Markham is married to the lovely Marilyn Lolita Miller Markham and has been highly blessed with ten talented children and three adorable grandchildren.

Pastor Markham can be reached via email at [email protected].