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The BeginningSt. James Episcopal Church has been an integral part of the community since it was founded in 1853, even giving its name to the hamlet of St. James on the north shore of Long Island. Much of its history is represented in the roll of names – Smiths, Blydenburghs, Millers – that populate the cemetery behind the original Richard Upjohn church, and to a similar extent by the diverse group of structures that are part of the church campus. Today approximately 100 families worship here and are guided by these goals:
• Growing in faith with scripture and prayer • Building relationships in Christ • Serving one another and the world |
The PresentNecessary repairs and maintenance to the church facilities prompted the Vestry to request the buildings and grounds committee to assess the condition of the physical plant and to set priorities for capital improvements. The committee’s work is the basis for Sustaining St. James, a three-phase capital improvements project that will preserve the Church, Education Wing and Office, Parish House, Mills Hall, and Rectory now and for future generations.
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The future
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The purpose of Sustaining St. James is to preserve and enhance church buildings in a systematic approach for this and succeeding generations. The three-phase project will be funded through donations, the sale of a vacant parcel of land across the street, and possible grants. To date, we have raised more than $200,000 in the advance phase and we hope to double that amount in the coming months. Please consider joining this major and transformative project by becoming a St. James Sustainer.
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Help sustaining st. James with your donation...
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All donations through this account will be applied to sustaining St. James as follows:
Phase I
The Church is by far the most important structure on the church property: it is not only the place where we worship week by week; it is where we baptize our children, celebrate marriage, and say our final farewells to our loved ones. The neo-Gothic, woodframed church designed to plans by Richard Upjohn has been called one of the loveliest churches on Long Island as well as one of its most important historic structures. The accompanying Education Wing and Office, built in 1969, are key spaces for church life but are unrelated to the church’s architecture. Plans call for the following improvements:
• Complete replacement of Church roof
• Replacement of Education Wing and Office roofs
• Installation of energy-efficient windows in the Education Wing and Office
• Addition of air conditioning to Education Wing and Office (The Church already has air conditioning.)
• Addition of handicapped-accessible lavatory
• Reverse traffic flow through cemetery with new signage
• Landscaping including the addition of a fence in front of the church
• Interior renovations to maximize use
• Complete replacement of Church roof
• Replacement of Education Wing and Office roofs
• Installation of energy-efficient windows in the Education Wing and Office
• Addition of air conditioning to Education Wing and Office (The Church already has air conditioning.)
• Addition of handicapped-accessible lavatory
• Reverse traffic flow through cemetery with new signage
• Landscaping including the addition of a fence in front of the church
• Interior renovations to maximize use
Phase II
Mills Hall, constructed in 1953 as a meeting space connected to the Parish House, is an important part of parish life as well as a place for community events. The congregation gathers here for Sunday coffee hour and other large parish events. It is hoped that the lower level will house a year-round thrift shop called Books and Things. The adjoining Parish House’s first floor is used for children’s and teen’s formation classes while the second floor apartment provides housing for the sexton and his family. Phase II calls for the following improvements:
• Replacement of all exterior doors and windows
• Renovation of Mills Hall kitchen
• Addition of air conditioning to Mills Hall and Parish House
• Installation of Handicapped Accessible lavatories
• Renovation of Mills Hall basement
• Replacement of Mills Hall floor
• Mills Hall and Parish House interior renovation
• Increased parking space
• Installation of a generator
• Replacement of all exterior doors and windows
• Renovation of Mills Hall kitchen
• Addition of air conditioning to Mills Hall and Parish House
• Installation of Handicapped Accessible lavatories
• Renovation of Mills Hall basement
• Replacement of Mills Hall floor
• Mills Hall and Parish House interior renovation
• Increased parking space
• Installation of a generator
Phase III
The Rectory on Highland Avenue underwent a major renovation some 11 years ago. More work is needed as expected with an old house. The exterior windows need replacement and the shingles need to be treated. Minor improvements inside will help reduce utility costs.
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