James Lamar McElhany (January 3, 1880 – June 25, 1959) was a Seventh-day Adventist minister and administrator. He was President of the General Conference from 1936 to 1950. He was a pioneer seventh-day minister in the Far East Division missionary work. Mr. McElhany was born near Santa Maria, California on January 3, 1880, to James Lamar Sr. and Mary (Ford) McElhany. James' parents had joined the Seventh-Day Adventist church before his birth, and he was baptized into church membership at the age of 15. in 1900 he began studies at Healdsburg College, where he decided to become a minister.