May the peace of the Lord be always with you ...


Original artwork used with permission by Mike Wimmer, Norman, Oklahoma

E-mail the church at

stjamesonpenn@yahoo.com

IN THE BEGINNING ...

The Reverend Frank J. Stangel, who entered the ministry at age 63, was instrumental in founding St. James Episcopal Mission.  The first service was held in a Tourist Court in December 1931 with a congregation of 6-7.  The congregation later met in various locations -- an empty store buildilng, the Masonic Lodge, the Old Post Office Building on South Robinson, and a dance studio on South Walker.  The original altar was a big wooden box covered with a tablecloth and the cross was a large wooden one painted with gilt.  St. John's donated an Altar and pews were purchased from a Baptist church.  The men added kneelers and prayer book races and the women made altar linens.

After Father Stagel died in 1933, Vicars included:  The Reverend J. S. Budlong, who served until 1935; The Reverend James N. McKenzie, who served until 1937;The Reverend Paul R. Abbott, who served until 1941 (moved to St. Matthews, Enid).  Father Parker also served for a short time.

THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING ...

In late 1935, Bishop Casady decided St. James should have a real church building.  Ground was purchased at 36th and South Olie for $700.00, adn the congregation met in the homes and backyards of members while hte church was being built.  Father McKenzie purchased a small iron model of a church, which was used as a savings bank for the building fund and everyone spent all their spare time working on the new church.  The church was completed in 1935 and the first baptisms were a father, mother and three sons, who became the first acolytes.

A Parish House with the Vicarage upstairs was completed in September 1939 and was made possible by a gift of $400 from the Women's Auxiliary of the Diocese of Oklahoma and donations of materials, furnishings and labor by members of the congregation.

THE WAR YEARS AND BEYOND ...

St. James was closed during World War II due to lack of clerby and the building was rented to a group of Presbyterians who organized Southminster Presbyterian.  St. James was reopened in the Fall of 1946 under leaership of lay people.  The Presbyterians were still using the biulding and St. James' services were sandwiched between their morning and evening services.  The Reverend Gilbert G. Curtis of El Reno served as Vicar in 1947 and the Reverend Walton W. Davis of All Souls was in charge for most of 1948.

The Reverend Milton McWilliams was called to St. James in the Fall of 1949.  He and his wife lived in an apartment above the Parish House.  He was ordained as a priest on April 29, 1950 and the largest congregation ever assembed at St. James attended the service.  The church school was reorganized and for several years a Bible school was co-sponsored with Southminster Presbyterian.  In five years, the church grew from 27 communicants to 120 and had an international flavor with representatives at one time or another from England, Scotland, Holland, France, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  Many were war brides and there was even one war groom.

THE 1950s' ...

In 1952, a duplex east of the church was purchased and in 1954, a Vicarage was purchased at 1517 S. W. 38th.  The ground floor of the duplex and the apartment over the Parish House were converted to church school rooms.  The font, missal desk, church school altar and litany desk were all made by members of the congregation.

Father McWilliams was called to Bay City, Texas in 1958 and The Reverend Charles Brown, who had just finished Seminary, was assigned to St. James.  He was called as a Missionary to the Phillippines and the congregation held a cosmetic shower for him before leaving for the Phillippines.  He and his wife received so much soap and other cosmetics that they brought some back with them after their three year service.  Father Brown also received the church's first set of vestments from a special communion for hte doctors attending the Oklahoma Medical Association meeting. 

The Reverend John Ross Wellwood from Pratt, Kansas was called to St. James and arrived with his family in August 1958.  In 1959, five new guilds were formed and the Brotherhood of St. Andrews was organized, as well as bowling team for the Southside Church League.  

THE 1960's ...

Extensions to the Church and Parish House were completed in 1960, including two restrooms and kitchen facilities and long-range plans were made to secure funds and suitable land for church expansion.  In the Spring of 1960, a tornado damaged the church, parish house and vicarage and the residences of many members. 

On October 30, 1960, furnishings of the New Sanctuary, which included among other gifts, the Altar, Pulpit, Lectern, Altar Rail and Baldwin Organ, purchased by donations to an Organ Fund, wer eblessed by Father Wellwood.  The Sanctuary, Chancel and appointments were dedicated November 25, 1960, with Bishop Powell officiating.  The ECW purchased silver, tables, table cloths and folding doors and a dance chool, Tops, and the AA's used the Parish House.

On April 27, 1961, there were 51 presented for confirmation, which was believed to be the largest class presented from a Mission.  A search began for a new location.  A stewardship committee was organized and a five-year plan was developed.  New confirmees worked with the Evangelistic Committee.

On March 6, 1962, St. James petitioned for Parish Status.  Five acres of land was purchased at SW 84th & Pennsylvania on July 30,  1962, for $28,000 from a loan from the Mission Growth Fund.  The ECW won first place on their yearbook at Diocesan Convention and a Junior Altar Guild was organized.

St. James was received as a Parish at the Diocesan Convention on January 23, 1963.  Fifty communicants of St. James attended as a group.  Father John Ross Wellwood was instituted as First Rector on March 17, 1963.  

One of the highlights of the year was the boy scout troop, which began in 1961 and was sponsored by St. James, with the awarding of the God and Country Awards to Ron Reed, Graham Little, Don Hubbs and Gary Rogers.  


PART TWO:

Father Wellwood accepted a call to St. Marks in Crossett, Arkansas and resigned in February 1964.  The reverend Harold Shay was appointed Priest in Charge and Father Carl Stokes assisted.

The Reverend James Norwood arrived the second week in June and was instituted as Rector on September 13, 1964.  Dot Murray was elected first woman delegate to the Diocesan convention.  The Convention approved seating for her but allowed her no vote.

A drive was launched for a three-year pledges to pay the $28,000 loan for land at 8400 South Pennsylvania.  One-quarter was pledged at the first meeting.

On February 1, 1964, a memorial service for Winston Churchill was held at St. James.  It was sponsored by the British Wives Club and the Highlanders, a Scottish Bagpipe Unit, paid tribute during services.

On June 9, 1965, St. James received permission to sell the Grand Boulevard church property for $31,000.  Bishop Putnam officiated at the ground breaking ceremony at 84th and South Pennsylvania on August 15, 1965.  Plans were made for metal buildigns with an estimated cost of $35,000 and materials were purchased to arrive by September 1.  The last service at 36th & Olie was held September 28, 1965 and a special communion for Board Members of the SEven Province was held.  

The first service at the 84th & Penn location was held October 3, 1965.  The Blessing of the Buildings by Bishop Powell and the first COnfirmation was held November 14, 1965.  Men of the churhc known ast he James Gang held monthly dinner meetings and worked on the grounds and planted trees.  Programs for building and financing were investigated and building plans discussed.

Pat Bishop was elected the first Vestry Lady at the annual meeting on January 11, 1967.  Later that year in August saw Father Paul Habliston assigned as assistant at St. James and St. Christophers.  Qualifications of Ron Reed for postulate for Holy Orders were submitted October 8, 1967 and he was ordained to the Diocanate in June 1970.  EYC earned second place as most improved youth group on December 10, 1967.

Father Norwood submitted his resignation effective June 1, 1969, and Father Jerry Crawley and Father Isaac Mason were among those who served as Interim Priests.

On February 1, 1970, the Reverend William Ellington became Rector and was instituted June 3, 1970.  Also in June, the congregation approved employing architects, Jones-Halley-Bates-Reik in connection with a new church estimated to cost $70,000.   Bishop Powell officiated at the Ground Breaking Services on December 13, 1970 and the bid was awarded to Wynn Construction Company.

A gift of the Christus Rex, an almost life-size figure on an eight-foot cross, was installed in the church during Holy Week of 1971.  The figure was hand-carved in the Italian Alps.  The first Communion Service was Easter Sunday, April 11, and Bishop Powell officiated at the dedication on April 18.  With donations and elbow grease, the church's metal building was converted to a parish hall and a loan was obtained to buy appliances for the kitchen.  Monthly fund raising projects were held by the ECW to pay off the loan.

In September, the Reverend Paul c. Ostander was assigned to assist at St. James and Father Ellington resigned in September of 1972.  Father David Nyberg served as Interim Priest until he was instituted as 4th Rector of St. James on April 26, 1973.  Father Nyberg was formerly Chaplain at the Veterans Hospital.  The rectory was sold and a housing allowance was given to Father Nyberg.

On June 28, 1975, Michael Swann, a member of St. James, was ordained to the Diaconate at St. Paul's Cathedral, with Harold KNotts and James C. Amis.  Father Knotts was assigned to assist at St. James and was ordained Priest at St. James on Januayr 1, 1976.  He served until June 27, 1976, when he became Assistant Priest at St. Paul's in Clinton.  

Randy Truitt, an Acolyte at St. James and who was involved wiht the Youth group, was accidentally shot in a conflict at U.S. Grant High School on September 18, 1975.  He died on September 24th and funeral services were held at St. James with some 600 students in attendance.  On September 20, 1976, a memorial service was held for Randy and the Chalice and Paten given by his parents were consecrated.

In 1976, St. James sponsored the Red Lands Council Scout Troop and worked with youngstes with learning disabilities.  The ECW held a mammoth garage sale nad opened a thrift shop at 2825 SW 44th Street.

The Right Reverend Gerald McAllister was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma on April 15, 1977.

In August 1978, the new sanctuary of Holy Apostles in Moore was dedicated.  The Reverend John Zachritz assisted at St. James and the note was burned on the parking lot.

Father Nyberg announced at the annual parish meeting in 1980 that he was looking for another parish and left in May.  Father Dan Edwars and othe rpriests conducted services.  Regretfully, St. James was forced to revert to Mission status because of loss of membership and financing.  A search committee was created and the congregation workd and prayed and, with the extraordinary dedication of many, kept the church together.

The Right Reverend William J. Cox was instituted as Assistant Bishop of Oklahoma on November 6, 1980.


PART THREE:

The Reverend William E. Spaine was instituted as Viciar on May 28, 1981.  Father Spaine was young and energetic and he and wife Deborah had just retunred from a nine-month pilgrimage living in monastaries nad practicing Christian prayer, meditation and contemplation. 

In 1982, St. James received a certificate from the Diocese recognizing an effective Evangelism Program (17% increase in new Christians in 1982).  Guitar music was introduced into the church after Organist Edwin day left.  On July 18, the Reverend Pierce Hewlett and wife Helen, were assigned as Deacon to assist at St. James.  The newsletter became "The Pilgrim" and outreach projects included the Food Pantry, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and fruit baskets, clothing ingathering and serving refreshments at the Mable Basset Correctional Center.  Programs included Christian Education, Lenten, Stewardship, Prayer Chain and 2x2 Community Builders.

St. James' own Gayle Bridges was ordained a Deacon on June 20, 1984 at St. James and continued to serve at St. James.  Father Spaine offered a class called "Stephen Ministry" and aproximately fifteen people completed the two year course.

Father Spaine then accepted a call to be Chaplain to Episcopal Students and faculty at the University of Arkansas and Associate Rector of St. Paul's, Fayetteville.  His last service was Mother's Day, May 11, 1986.  Once again, St. James was privileged to have Father Dan Edwards as Supply Priest.

Father Jerry Carroll was called to St. James at Easter of 1987 and was installed March 29, 1987.  St. James' Beverly Fisher Bradley was ordained a Deacon by Bishop McAllister at St. Paul's Cathedral on June 20, 1987, and was assigned to serve a group of churches in southeastern Oklahoma.  Beverly was ordained to the Sacred Order of priests on April 23, 1988, and a bus load from St. James attended at Antlers, Oklahoma.

Father Carroll resigned in October and Gayle Bridges was assigned to the Church of the Resurrection.  Father Pat Malone served as interim priest.  

On February 6, 1988, the Right Reverend Robert Manning Moody was ordained Bishop Coadjutor to serve until Bishop McAllister retired in early 1989.  Bishop Moody's first visit to St. James was June 5, 1988 for COnfirmation Services and the Reverend Paul Gilmore assisted.

On June 25, 1988, Father Gilmore was warmly welcomed as Vicar of St. James and the Institution and Celebration of his new ministry was held December 20, 1988.

On July 7, 1989, the first meeting of the building committee was held to consider an architect, contractor, size, cost and financing for much needed church school and office space.  William Frank Freels was selected asarchitect and plans were developed and bids taken on a 6,000 square foot addition and renovation of the parking lot.  Building fund pledges were received proceeds from Bingo were contributed to the building fund, and since completion, the Vestry served breakfast once a month with donations applied to the mortgage.

July 1989 saw long time members, Dr. E. Cotter and Dot Murray, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary at St. James and they were bidden farewell in October when they moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico, to be near their children.

Charles Eldwyn Bradley, an active member and former Senior Warden of St. James, was ordained Deacon on June 23, 1990 and was assigned to Holy Apostles in Moore.

The burning of the morgage on the church building was held on July 21, 1990.  Later that year, in October, a contract was let to Eesco Development and was financed by Diocesan contributions.  Construction began in December 1990 but official ground breaking was held in January 1991.  The building includes church school rooms, chapel, offices, library and restrooms and the second phase of building plans begun in 1966 were completed in July 1991.  Sufficient and beatuiful church school facilities were finally available for the opening of church school in September.  Dedicationa nd blessing of hte facilities was held May 3, 1992 and were delayed because of Bishop Moody's schedule.

Twice during construction, the Reverend Ron Reed, Stewardship Officer with the National Church, met with the vestry and congregation adnd shared his expertise in many matters, among which were setting goals and serving the needs of the church family and the community.

Some renovation and repair of the metal buildings, including new air conditioning, were completed in 1992 with financial assistance from individuals and the Diocese.

Father Gilmore, in addition to his many duties at St. James, also served as Diocesan Chairman of Prison Ministries and especially served at the Joseph Harp Facility at Lexington.

St. James was the only Episcopal Church between the Cathedral and Norman until St. Christopher's at Midwest City and Holy Apostles at Moore were built.  Also, some members of St. James formed a southside Anglican communion.

St. James has had its ups and downs and communicants have come and gone, but St. James continues to thrive in south Oklahoma City.