Atkins, James

Methodist Episcopal Church, South minister and educator James Atkins (1850-1923) was born on April 18, 1850 in Knoxville, Tennessee to James Atkins and Mary Jackson. James Atkins, Sr. served as a minister in the Holston Conference for more than 34 years. In 1866 the family moved to Emory, Virginia and Atkins began coursework at Emory and Henry College. However, in 1869 he was forced to abandon his studies due to family financial difficulties. Atkins taught school in rural eastern Tennessee before becoming the principal of Blue Springs Academy, south of Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1870.

On October 31, 1870 Atkins was granted a license to preach from the Cleveland, Tennessee Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS), where his father was pastor. In 1871 he returned to Emory and Henry College, eventually receiving a Master of Arts honoris causa. In 1872 he was admitted on trial into the Holston Conference. During the next six years he served in Jonesboro, Virginia; Abingdon, Virginia; and Asheville, North Carolina. In 1877 he was elected Secretary of the Board of Missions of the Holston Conference.

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