Bro. James & his dad, Bro. William Sowders.

Bro. Jolly, Bro. James & Bro. Dudley Fraze.

Bro. James, Sis. Clara, Clara's sister, Nell and a couple sisters from church.

Bro. James & Sis. Clara Sowders

Bro. James William Sowders was born in Louisville, KY area on October 2, 1904. His parents, William & Viola (Coburn) Sowders did not get along well, so they divorced in 1910. James and his sister, Gladys lived with and were raised by Viola's mother, Lulu. James dad, Bro. William Sowders then married Bertha Norton. (His dad got saved in 1912). James received the Holy Ghost on June 17, 1927.  He married Clara E. Hawkins (born October 4, 1906) on June 20, 1932.  She was a member of his dad, Bro. Williams Sowder's church in Louisville.  Bro. James began his ministry in Hardin Springs, KY, Dawson Springs, KY and Martinsville, IN. In 1933 he started a church in Wood River, IL and then revived a church in DuQouin, IL.  Before Bro. William Sowders passed away, he said he wanted his son, James to pastor the Louisville church when he passed away and he wanted Bro. Tommy Jolly to succeed him as overseer in the Work of the Lord.  Bro. Jolly said numerous times through the years, that Bro. James Sowders was his favorite preacher.  After Sis. Clara Sowders passed away (on February 29, 1976), Bro. James married, Ethel, a wonderful lady in the Louisville church.  Bro. James Sowders passed away on November 19, 1993.

Bro. Jolly & Bro. James Sowders at Gospel Assembly Convention Center in Louisville, KY.

Bro. James, Sis. Clara Sowders & Bro. Cornelius & Sis. Alberta Mears.

James & his sister, Gladys.

Bro. James Sowders baptizing.

Bro. James & Sis. Ethel Sowders.

Church at 28th & Wilson, Louisville, KY. Bro. Wm. Sowders was pastoring here when he passed away in 1952. Then Bro. James pastored here.

Church at 4th & Magnolia, Louisville, Ky. Bro. James purchased this church mid 1950's.