Welcome to Saint James

Welcome to Saint James. . , Welcome to Saint James and its historic campus. We have ministered to this city for nearly 300 years. The brick church you see today before you has been a place of worship, community, inspiration and reconciliation since 1820., [Left image of church] , Saint James was founded by a British missionary society from the Church of England in 1744. A sense of mission has inspired this parish to live out the good news of God's love for creation in our city, across the county and around the world ever since. , [Image caption reads] Painting by E.H. Hammond in 1844 before the late 19th century renovations and expansion, The Interior , We are a global and a local church. Located in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, we are members of the national Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Church of 70 million people, most of whom live in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America., The Churchyard , The churchyard is an oasis in the city where all are welcome to reflect on life and rejoice in creation. It is consecrated ground where for centuries our loved ones have been interred and the lives of the faithful departed remembered., The Children's Garden , We are an intergenerational community that cares for creation. Produce from this garden helps the Lancaster County Food Hub to tackle food insecurity in our community., The Cloister , The fountain in the cloister has become a symbol of The Urban Well at Saint James whose retreats and courses offer a contemplative spirituality for all., In 1820 Bishop William White consecrated the new brick church which replaced the original stone one. He preached on the text "O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness" (Psalm 96.9)., White was instrumental in organizing what became the Episcopal Church after the American Revolution, serving as the first Bishop of Pennsylvania and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.