Bishop James Walker Hood was born in Kenneth Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania May 30, 1831.  Hood became an Ordained Deacon, September 2, 1860; Elder, June 15, 1862 and Consecrated Bishop, July 3, 1872.

He was principally self-educated.  His mother taught him grammar and interested him in the act of public speaking.  He delivered his first.  Abolitionist speech at the age of fifteen. 

He and came to New Bern, North Carolina to preach the gospel.  He was invited to come  to Fayetteville, North Carolina by Father Henry Evans.  Upon his arrival to Fayetteville, he brought Evans Chapel into the African Methodist Episcopal Zion connection.  Bishop Hood served as Pastor at Evans Metropolitan A. M. E. Zion Church in 1867-1870.  Bishop Hood was the first Resident Bishop of the Central North Carolina Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.  He served forty-four years before retiring in 1916 by the General Conference. Bishop Hood died in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, October 30, 1918 and was buried in Cross Creek Cemetery after his funeral at Evans Metropolitan A. M. E. Zion Church.