Celebrating over 175 years in Albion, Michigan!
Much of the early history of St. James' Parish is uncertain, based of necessity on terse and fragmentary records. There were few Episcopalians among the early settlers of the Albion area and the first services held here were probably in 1838. Missionaries occasionally served Albion, as did priests from nearby parishes. St. James' was organized in in 1839, and on June 5, 1840 "was received into union with the Convention." Ministrations continued as before until March 6, 1842 when The Reverend Edward C. Hodgkin began his labors as rector, for both Albion and Homer. Off and on, over the years, these two parishes shared a rector. Hodgkin stayed for three years and then began the long succession of mostly brief rectorates, often followed by lengthier vacancies, with only four priests remaining longer than Hodgkin's term.
In 1842 the parish acquired two village lots, upon which a church building was begun, perhaps as early as 1847, but it was a long time being completed. Bishop Samuel A. McCoskry visited Albion in March 1864 and had to preach in the Methodist Church because St. James' remained unfinished. Under the energetic rector, The Reverend Marcus Lane, the building was soon completed and was consecrated on April 19, 1865. Although the building was completely destroyed by fire twenty years later, the parish was fortunate in having another energetic rector on hand, The Reverend Belno A. Brown, and a new church was ready for its first services on March 6, 1886. It was not consecrated until September 10, 1890, at which time the parish was free from debt.
The next thirty-five years saw periods of growth and decline. At one point the church went so far as to employ a Greek Orthodox priest to supply the church. As could be expected, the Great Depression of the 30's had a profound effect upon St. James'. Despite the pervasive economic disaster, the results for St. James' were beneficial: membership rose, and funds were raised with which to build a Sunday School addition to the Parish House, formally opened January 3, 1933. In 1940 the church, through a bequest of George Barclay, purchased the Rectory at 311 Irwin Avenue. The Reverend Victor L. Dowdell and his family took up residence in November of that year.
Community involvement, begun in earnest with Father Smith (October 1931-January 1935), has continued and expanded, unabated. The congregation has increased slowly. St. James' did not become a self-supporting member of the diocese until 1953. An addition to the Parish House was erected in 1951. In 1964 a major addition to the Parish House was dedicated, which includes classrooms, choir room, guild room, kitchen and a dining hall. In Easter 2007 the Sanctuary again burned to the ground, but was rebuilt and rededicated in September 2010.
St. James' is a small parish church, of unconventional design, with beautiful architectural detail. With its lovingly chosen memorials, it exudes peaceful and reverential warmth in which to worship. It is one of the true gems of the city of Albion.
The present rector, The Reverend Darlene Kuhn, has served the parish since December 1, 2012. In her work she is assisted by a group of faithful parishioners who look forward to worshiping GOD and sending forth His message of love into a bright future.
Much of the early history of St. James' Parish is uncertain, based of necessity on terse and fragmentary records. There were few Episcopalians among the early settlers of the Albion area and the first services held here were probably in 1838. Missionaries occasionally served Albion, as did priests from nearby parishes. St. James' was organized in in 1839, and on June 5, 1840 "was received into union with the Convention." Ministrations continued as before until March 6, 1842 when The Reverend Edward C. Hodgkin began his labors as rector, for both Albion and Homer. Off and on, over the years, these two parishes shared a rector. Hodgkin stayed for three years and then began the long succession of mostly brief rectorates, often followed by lengthier vacancies, with only four priests remaining longer than Hodgkin's term.
In 1842 the parish acquired two village lots, upon which a church building was begun, perhaps as early as 1847, but it was a long time being completed. Bishop Samuel A. McCoskry visited Albion in March 1864 and had to preach in the Methodist Church because St. James' remained unfinished. Under the energetic rector, The Reverend Marcus Lane, the building was soon completed and was consecrated on April 19, 1865. Although the building was completely destroyed by fire twenty years later, the parish was fortunate in having another energetic rector on hand, The Reverend Belno A. Brown, and a new church was ready for its first services on March 6, 1886. It was not consecrated until September 10, 1890, at which time the parish was free from debt.
The next thirty-five years saw periods of growth and decline. At one point the church went so far as to employ a Greek Orthodox priest to supply the church. As could be expected, the Great Depression of the 30's had a profound effect upon St. James'. Despite the pervasive economic disaster, the results for St. James' were beneficial: membership rose, and funds were raised with which to build a Sunday School addition to the Parish House, formally opened January 3, 1933. In 1940 the church, through a bequest of George Barclay, purchased the Rectory at 311 Irwin Avenue. The Reverend Victor L. Dowdell and his family took up residence in November of that year.
Community involvement, begun in earnest with Father Smith (October 1931-January 1935), has continued and expanded, unabated. The congregation has increased slowly. St. James' did not become a self-supporting member of the diocese until 1953. An addition to the Parish House was erected in 1951. In 1964 a major addition to the Parish House was dedicated, which includes classrooms, choir room, guild room, kitchen and a dining hall. In Easter 2007 the Sanctuary again burned to the ground, but was rebuilt and rededicated in September 2010.
St. James' is a small parish church, of unconventional design, with beautiful architectural detail. With its lovingly chosen memorials, it exudes peaceful and reverential warmth in which to worship. It is one of the true gems of the city of Albion.
The present rector, The Reverend Darlene Kuhn, has served the parish since December 1, 2012. In her work she is assisted by a group of faithful parishioners who look forward to worshiping GOD and sending forth His message of love into a bright future.
