Parish History

Brief History

St. James Parish was organized and admitted to the Ohio Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1824; the congregation met in homes and stores until 1836 when a small modest frame building with a bell tower was built at the present location, 131 N. State Street, Painesville, OH. 

Construction of our current church building began with the laying of the cornerstone in May 1866.  Changes to the interior have been made over the years, however the Gothic style exterior remains the same. The tall, beautiful stained glass windows, installed from the late 1880s through the 1960s are memorials to beloved parishioners. For well over a century, the towering spire and cross have been Painesville landmarks. 

In 1887, the Victorian Gothic chapel was constructed with funds given solely by Laura Kerr Axtell. In the 1980s, the chapel was renovated. Its original purpose was for the worship of the children, but now it is used for midweek services, funerals and other receptions — and classes. 

The education wing was constructed in 1958 to accommodate a growing congregation. It now houses offices, the parish library, Choir room, Guild room and Sunday School classrooms. The history of a parish church is also the history of its people. There are countless memorials to faithful church members and rectors of St. James throughout the building and grounds.