James Clement Kelly Sr. (1928-2015) was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on September 29, 1928. He served in the United States Army from 1951 until 1953 as an Infantryman in Korea, where he received the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant, after serving an additional six years in the United States Army Reserve. He joined the Firm Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was licensed to preach in 1954. He was ordained at Fellowship Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan in 1955. Because of his many achievements, Virginia Union conferred upon him, the honorary degree, of Doctor of Divinity, (D.D.) May, 1983. He pastored his first church, Gravel Hill Baptist Church in Richmond from 1963 until 1965. He was later called to Pastor the Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond from 1965 until December, 1976. While pastoring in Richmond, he was one of two African Americans appointed by the Richmond City Council, to serve on the Human Relations Committee, for the City of Richmond.

He eventually relocated to Jamaica, Queens, New York, where he pastored the Calvary Baptist Church from 1977 until 1988. On September 11, 1988, he became the Founder and Pastor of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jamaica, New York. He received numerous awards, accommodations and accolades during his more than 50 years in the Gospel Ministry, including the coveted Golden Heritage Award from the N.A.A.C.P. He is listed in "Who's Who among Black Americans." His High School, Bethlehem High (Class of 1947), honored him with a plaque "Alumni of Distinction". He also served in numerous Civic and religious capacities, including Vice President, Richmond Virginia Branch, N.A.A.C.P., President, State of Virginia Progressive National Baptist Convention, President, New York State Progressive National Baptist Convention, Chairman, Home Mission Board, Progressive National Baptist Convention and President of the Eastern Region, Progressive National Baptist Convention. He was past Treasurer of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York and President Emeritus of the Southeast Queens Clergy for Community Empowerment, which is now named Clergy United for Community Empowerment.

He was a Prince Hall Mason and a member of Lebanon Lodge #54 in Jamaica, New York. In 1991, he was awarded the 33 Degree honor. Beginning in January, 1996 he was voted by Lebanon Lodge, where he served as Chaplain, to become a Lifetime Member. In January 1988, he traveled to Italy and was named Honorary Past Master, of Robert B. Croxton Lodge #128. He was also a member and Chaplain of the Jamaica (Queens), New York Rotary Club and later a member of the Rotary Club of Orlando, Florida, member of the Queens Federation of Churches, member of the Queens Baptist Ministers Conference, member of the New York City Mission Society, and a Board Member of Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York.