A local church is saying goodbye to an important piece of their congregation.

“He`s a pastor, he`s a mentor, he`s a father figure, a big brother and for me personally he`s my best friend,” said Rashad Smith.

Memorial AME Zion Church is the oldest African American institution in Rochester. The church recently celebrated its 190 year anniversary.

“This church has been in the vanguard of freedom and liberation. Many people were abolitionists and anti-slavery,” said Reverend Dr. Kenneth James.

On Sunday, the church bid farewell to long time pastor Reverend Dr. Kenneth James.

His career in Upstate New York began in Jamestown, Buffalo and Schenectady before coming to Rochester.

Rev. James has been the head pastor at Memorial AME Zion since 2005. He will now spearhead ministry at a church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Twelve years of being with anyone, especially being in a pastor-church member relationship, you forge bonds. So I`m going to miss people the most. They just have really written on my heart,” said Rev. James.

Rev. James will begin his pastoral duties in North Carolina next week.