In 1911, the Rev Fan S. Noli, later the Metropolitan of the Albanian Orthodox Cathedral of St George in Boston, MA, conducted the first services for a handful of early Albanian immigrants in Russell House on Third St.  From 1914 to 1919, the congregation held regular services in that hall.  During the years of 1919 to 1925, they worshiped in the Odd Fellows Hall and subsequently moved to the Market St Hall.  By 1930 their numbers had grown and their strong desire to build a church of their own was finally fulfilled.  Their first church was built on Sprague St Hill and was named after the Prophet Elijah.  The committee which led the construction effort was composed of Andrew Vishnia, chairman, Nikolla Manno, Thanas Ndrio, Louis Vrusho, Vani Dhima, Theodore Thomas, Thomas Shagla, Alex Poda, Christo Duro, and Charles Viska.  They were supported, in this endeavor, by the church faithful.

A number of priests served the church through the years with the Rev George Loli serving as pastor for many years starting in 1944.  Father Victor George faithfully served as priest for 25 years. The Ladies Society, “Daughters of St Elia” was organized in 1930 with Helen Kote as chairman.  The church choir was introduced in 1937 with Virginia Andrews Semo as its first director; and today, Nicholas Manno serves as Chanter.

In 1955, the city of Jamestown acquired the church property on Sprague St. and the Brooklyn Heights Methodist Church, located at 103 Palmer St., was purchased by the Congregation. It took countless volunteer hours and many hands to convert the church to Orthodox standards. In 2011, St. Elia celebrated 100 years of Orthodoxy in the Jamestown area. 

Divine Liturgies are held twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 11:00 AM by Father John P. Hutnyan of Cheektowaga, NY and are in English. Following Liturgies, coffee hours are held in the church hall, all are welcome.