Our History

St. James Episcopal Church was organized in 1824, meeting in homes and stores until a small frame building with a modest bell tower was constructed in 1836. From our simple start, we have lived out the gospel in worship and service for 196 years.

Our current church building was consecrated in 1868. Adorned with stained glass windows from the late 1880s through the 1960s and the towering spire and cross so tall as to be seen across town. We enjoy our 1887 Victorian Gothic style Children’s Chapel for intimate worship, Tai Chi, Christian Formation and parish receptions.

The connecting education wing was finished in 1958 for offices, the Chuck Cost library and flexible meeting spaces for our parish and community.

The history of a parish is also the history of its people. Members and Rectors have been leaders in Painesville and Lake County since the city was founded.

st. james historical time line

1824: The parish was organized and admitted to the Convention, meeting in parishioners’ homes until 1836.
1836: The small frame building with a modest bell tower was constructed on the present lot.
1866: The cornerstone of the present church building of Victorian gothic architecture was laid.
1886-1970: The beautiful stained glass windows were installed.
1887-88: The Victorian-style chapel was built, originally intended as a worship space for the parish’s children. It has been renovated several times, most recently in the mid-1980s.
1892: The Choir of Men and Boys was organized by J. Powell Jones, a local professor of music. This choir was greatly renowned for many decades. It continued until 1966 when a mixed choir replaced it. It experienced a brief renaissance in the mid-1980s alongside the other choirs.
1926: The E. M. Skinner pipe organ was installed.
1941: The Rev. Dayton Wright is called to be Rector.
1958: The two-story education/classroom wing was added, connecting the church with the chapel and including offices, the Guild Room, the library, and the nursery.
1966: The Rev. Dayton Wright dies suddenly while Rector.
1967: The Rev. Thomas Waddell is called to be Rector.
1974: The Rev. David Bowman is called to be Rector.
1981: The Rev. Andrew Macbeth is called to be Rector. His wife, Sybil Macbeth, author and artist, begins the development of Praying with Color in St. James’ spiritual formation.
1983: The Lunch Program was launched to serve Salvation Army clients on weekends.
1986: The chapel was renovated and air conditioning was installed. It is now used primarily for summer worship services.
1989: The Rev. Terry Russell is called to be Rector.
2003: St. James was named a Jubilee Ministry Center by the National Episcopal Church for its Lunch Program ministry.
2009: The Rev. Vanessa E. B. Clark is called to be Rector.
2009-2010: The E.M Skinner organ undergoes a full restoration with the addition of bells.
2010: The Feeding Ministry expands to dinners Monday and Tuesday nights. Code Blue Ministry Network organizes with St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church to provide emergency winter shelter.
2012: St. James named a Jubilee Ministry Center for the second time by the National Episcopal Church for its expanded Meal Program and Code Blue Ministry Network.
2016: Kitchen and Dining Room Renovation is completed.
2019: St. James hosts the first public Pride event in Lake County: Family Pride Fair for which the church received the Community Award from NAACP Lake County.
2020: Global COVID19 Pandemic hits and in-person worship is suspended for most of the year and into 2021, resuming late March, 2021. Meal Program and Code Blue Ministry Network continue with new protocols and new partners, LifeSpring Christian Church and Painesville Church of the Nazarene.
2021: The Rev. Elizabeth (Beth) Frank is called to be Interim Rector.
2022: The Rev. Abraham Allende is called to be Interim Rector.
2023: The Rev. Rachel Jagielski Harrison is called to be Rector.