Building the Future of St. James’s Episcopal Church

It is an extraordinary time for our church. St. James’s welcomes roughly 100 new members every year. In the last six years, we’ve baptized 320 people – bringing our total baptized membership to more than 2,100. And as our numbers continue to swell, so do our activities. We are a family of “Doers of the Word.” From education programs for children and adults to numerous fellowship and outreach ministries, St. James’s is fairly bursting with individuals feeding and being fed spiritually (and physically, in some cases!) every day of the week. Our need to expand our facilities has been apparent for several years. As an answer to our call to remain an urban parish, we have thoughtfully and prayerfully considered the most effective way to grow in our current location.

In 2007, the Vestry approved plans for a two-part expansion and renovation. The expansion will transform much of the block immediately to our east into a new parish hall and meeting facility. The renovation will remake the current activity building into a new and more usable space for our Children’s Center, Sunday School, and Music programs.

A feasibility study indicated our parish would support the $8 million project cost, so in late 2007 we launched the Fan the Flame capital campaign.

To date, St. James’s Fan the Flame Campaign has raised $7.7 million of the $8.2 million goal to complete two key projects: the Sunday School Building/Gibson Hall renovation and the East Expansion at 1133-35 West Franklin St.

Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, construction is well underway. We are very excited about the progress and eager to share the stories and pictures of our adventure as we watch the beautiful transformation of existing spaces and the creation of new church buildings. We truly feel God’s blessings on us as we prepare for today’s and future generations of “Doers of the Word.”

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