Parish Life

Life is rich and varied at St. James. It could be fairly said that, under the skilled guidance of our leadership, St. James is a "Lay" church, i.e., lay folk are so involved with the workings of the church that it is hard sometimes to discern a hierarchy. Whether it be in church services, in the kitchen, out in the world serving meals or cleaning up homes, team-teaching a group of our beautiful children or youth, or tackling in partnership the challenges to our souls, parish, city, country and world, St. James members enliven all that takes place here and elsewhere.

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St. James Commissions and Ministries

History

St. James San Francisco traces its roots back to 1890 to a private home on Point Lobos Ave. (now Geary Blvd.). Over the years, the church has moved about the Richmond finally ending up at our California Street address. To learn more about our history read the St. James History Summary below and, for more details, excerpts from the "St. James History Corner", compiled by Carole Jan Lee.

Mission

The Mission of the St. James Church is to to bring an ever increasing number of people into an ever closer relationship with Jesus Christ so that God's love may be a transforming force for the communities in which we live.

To learn how that mission manifests itself in the Richmond and elsewhere peruse our Inclusivity Statement and download our latest St. James Journal.

St. James History Summary

St. James Church was founded in 1890 in a storeroom on Arguello at Geary.  Guild work and Sunday School dominated the early months of the parish.  Bishop William Nicholas made the first Episcopal visit to St. James on October 5, 1890.  The first Rector was The Rev. Floyd Mynard.  Regular Sunday worship services began on March 8, 1891.  A guild hall was built in 1898 on Clement Street on land between 5th and 6th Avenues.

Following the purchase of two lots on California Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, construction of the present church building was begun on December 20, 1920 with the laying of the cornerstone by member William Rolph, brother of Mayor James Rolph.  A modest cottage, which had been moved earlier to the property served as rectory, has been twice modified and enlarged to achieve its present form as an office and educational facility.

The St. James Preschool was established in 1963 by the then Rector Max Christiansen, whose tenure lasted from 1957 until 1984.  The original mission was to offer Nursery School care to children with Handicaps (vision and hearing) as well as “normal children.”

The California Counseling Institute moved from Grace Cathedral to St. James in 1988 and presently occupies one floor in the building east of the office building.  Lynn Mannix and Hal Childs are Co-Directors.

The Reverend Peter Lawson became Rector of St. James in 1984.  The Reverend Mary Moore Gaines became Deacon in 1989, then assistant Rector in 1990, Co-Rector in 1993, and Rector in 1997.

St. James has conducted two capital funds campaigns in recent history.  The Second Century Fund, in 1988, to retrofit the church building, renovate the parish hall, and paint the outside of the church.  Renewal 95’ in 1995 to renew the sanctuary. 

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St. James History Corner

Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three

Beginning with this issue of the Journal, we will be brining you some of the history of St. James’ Church. This is being compiled by Carole Jan Lee, using records and old newsletters dating back to the early 1900’s.

St. James’ Mission had its beginnings in 1890, meeting first in a private home on Point Lobos Ave. (Later changed to Geary Street) The name St. James’ was chosen because it was from St. James’, Philadelphia, where Bishop Nichols served before coming to the Diocese as a Bishop.

In 1891, The Rev. Floyd J. Mynard was called to the vicarship, and a vacant storeroom on 1st Avenue was rented for $4 a month to serve as the church premises. Building fund activity immediately began.

In March, 1892, the first Avenue building was sold, to be moved, to make way for the brick car house building of the Geary Street Railroad.

A Guild Hall was erected on Clement Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) in 1893 in a lot purchased for $3,500. The construction of the hall went to the lowest bidder, Robert Murray. The cost was $1,199.00.

In 1901, active organizations were: The Ministering Children’s League, Ladies’ Aid, Women’s Auxiliary working for the Maria Kip Orphanage Alms House and Marine Hospital. Also the Young Ladies Communicant Society and the Junior Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

In October of 1902, The Rev. S. J. Lee was elected priest in charge. In January, 1903, his salary was raised to $60 a month.

“The 20th of December, 1903 is to be chronicled in letters of gold in the history of St. James’ Mission. A joyful service was held with the dedication of many memorials by Bishop Nichols. The Bishop, in his discourse, mentioned that the Guild Hall had been tried as an experiment; it had met with much success, but taken as a whole, was a failure. Play and pray did not work well together, for in the end play had been the most prominent part, and now we have a place which can be called indeed a “house of prayer’ set apart for worship only.”

July 6, 1904, St. James’ became a full-fledged Church and Parish; 49 families, 86 communicants.

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Chapter Two

(From the St. James’ Parish Paper, November, 1906)

“St. James’ Church, Like everything else, suffered considerably from the earthquake of the now historical April 18th. The interior presented a sorry plight of broken plaster, fragments of glass globes and debris. The bowl of the font had been rolled to the foot of the choir stalls, the pedestal under the middle pew, and the base near the door. The altar cross was flung to the sanctuary rails. On April 22nd we gathered into the church, gruesome as it was, and returned thanks to Almighty God for our individual preservation during that calamity.”

This describes in detail the results of the famous San Francisco earthquake and its effect on St. James. Donations came from Eastern churches amounting to $650 which helped to pay for repairs to the roof, and broken gutters. Members also contributed funds for repairs, and it was noted:

“While the earth quaked and the fire roared and people’s hearts were filled with fear and forboding, generosity knew no limit. Prosperity returned and closed with a tight grip that same generous spirit.”

In July of 1913, The Rector, the Rev. S. J. Lee, participated in the ground breaking ceremony for St. Peter’s Church, located on 29th Avenue, between Clement and Geary. From the Parish Newsletter: “Inasmuch as by the Christian goodwill and generosity of St. James’ Parish, San Francisco, It was made possible for St. Peter’s to build on its new site, formerly a portion of St. James’ Parish, Rev. Mr. Lee took a prominent part and place in the ceremony.”

From the March, 1915 Parish Paper: ”Lately so many questions have been asked about the sale of our church property, and what is being done? The answer is: “The property is still up for sale - the price asked is $20,000, or offer to be considered, and the usual real estate commission of 2 1/2 percent, will be given to the one who effects a sale. Anyone who wants to earn a commission has the privilege to make money by a little hustling."

Parish Paper, Oct. 1916

”Our frontispiece in this issue is the crucifer, Master Stanley Hudd, who from the date of his confirmation has not missed one early Communion service. We trust such a record may be a promise of “continuing Christ’s faithful soldier and servant until life’s end.”

The 1918 Parish Papers spoke many times of members who were serving in the armed forces. They included people in the Signal Corps in Ft. Leavenworth, in the Artillery in Kentucky, the Canal Zone, and many on shipboard. A young man writes from France:

“Had the best of luck so far and the boys over here are as fine a bunch of men as one would wish to meet, good fellowship and always ready to help each other; our Chaplain is a fine man and during the Amiens offensive did good work - came right over with the boys. The church Army and the YMCA do good work over here - they keep up with the armies and serve tea and biscuits to the boys at nights, also hold a little service each evening which is well attended - one realizes the help such a service is to us - after going through shell fire and machine gun fire, etc. one comes away from these little services in the huts a better man.”

From the Parish Paper of September, 1919:

THE WAY

To every man there openeth

A way, and ways and a way,

And the light soul climbs the high way,

And the low soul gropes the low;

And in between in the misty flats,

The rest drift to and fro.

But to every man there openeth

A high way and a low,

And every man decideth

The way his soul shall go.

(Anonymous)

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Chapter Three

From The Richmond Banner of  December 8, 1922: “The St. James’ Episcopal Church property, on the south side of Clement Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, has been sold to William A. Spreen. Final services will be held Christmas morning. Dismantling will commence the following day.       Removal to the new location was desirable because the Clement Street property was “hemmed in by business on Clement Street.” Also, “ the havoc which the earthquake did to the building, though quickly repaired to the best we know how, at last asserts itself.

Three lots on the north side of California Street between 8th and 9th Avenues have been bought and paid for.”

Ground-breaking for the new church took place on June 30, 1923. The cornerstone was placed in position on October 14th by the Rt. Rev. Edward Lambe Parsons. The trowel which the Bishop used was the gift of Mr. William Roche and was made of silver with an ebony handle. It was presented to the Bishop as a souvenir or the first cornerstone he had laid.

From the Parish Paper of February, 1924: “In the progress of St. James there have been three unforgettable events in the minds of those whose interest has centered in it- first, in 1893, when Bishop Nichols dedicated the little building “the guild-Hall of St. James’ Mission”; second, when that building was remodeled into a church structure with its tower, steeple and gothic windows and Bishop Nichols opened the church for services in December, 1903; and that which occurred last Sunday, February 10, 1924, the new  St. James now situated on California Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, and Bishop Nichols opened up the future for it with re-dedication of the whole building, the Memorial Chapel and the several new memorials.

Soon after the architect’s plans were considered it was thought advisable to eliminate the Chapel altogether, solely on account of funds. This elimination was sadly regretted by the architect, rector and the majority of vestrymen. Suddenly and intensely opportune, a gift of $1,000 was presented by Mr. Will Rolph ‘ for the new church in loving memory of Mrs. M. V. Hosmer.’ At once regrets and obstacles were removed- and the beautiful chapel was dedicated “ to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mrs. Margaretta Virginia Hosmer.” She was the mother of Mrs. Will Rolph, a noble churchwoman and a member of old St. John’s Church.

The beautiful window forming the reredos is in memory now of Mrs. George Buckingham, and was presented to St. James by Mrs. Buckingham herself several months ago. Mrs. Buckingham had planned to be at this opening service but died exactly the Sunday before.”

(Note: This was the Tiffany window which was at the back of the altar when the church was first built. It was removed to the children’s chapel next door for many years and re-installed at the back of the present sanctuary during the remodeling of 19__ )

From the June, 1924 Parish Paper: “It is with heartache and sorrow we record the death of our beloved Bishop William Ford Nichols. News came to us on the evening of June 4th that the end was fast approaching and on June 5th, the word came. “The Bishop passed away at 7:30 a.m. and you are assigned the “Watch Duty’ from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.” It was there, at the side of the Bishop that memories came fast and thick of all that he had been to the Rector of St. James (Rev. S.J. Lee) and St. James itself. He had ordained Mr. Lee in 1896; married him in October, 1900, and confirmed his only child in 1919. St. James was the first Mission the Bishop dedicated on becoming Bishop of California ( it being named after his church in Philadelphia), and the new St. James was the last church he dedicated February of 1924.”

From the Parish Paper, May, 1928: “The greatest and most gripping affair that has ever been launched into the Diocese of California is this of “The Cathedral Drive.” Every suggestion as regards parochial enthusiasm and publicity has been faithfully carried out in St. James Church, and undoubtedly the same has been done in every Church, Mission and Parish organization throughout the whole of the Diocese until, right now, it is the talk in every churchman’s home and has spread to the general public as well. The great insistence is, that the Cathedral on Nob Hill shall be completed. In all conscience it certainly ought to be. And in all conscience every church member should help towards it. Now our own people will have the opportunity to prove practically what has been so much talk sentimentally. In short, what shall we give or pledge ourselves to give and what can we get others to give or pledge? Fifty dollars looks big- spread this over four years as a pledge and it comes to $12.50 per year. Get it out per month and it comes to less than a dollar plus a nickel which is the price of one show per week at the Lincoln Theater not adding the price of candy. We suggest the denial of one show per week while eating the candy at home and reading a good book.”

From the Parish Paper, February, 1929:

       IT’S YOU!

If you want to work in the kind of a church

       Like the kind of a church you like.

You needn’t slip your clothes in a grip

       And start on a long, long, hike.

You’ll only find what you left behind,

       For there’s nothing that’s really new;

It’s a knock at yourself when you knock your church:

It isn’t your church- it’s YOU.

Real churches are made by men afraid

       Lest somebody else go ahead;

When everyone works and nobody shirks,

       You can raise a church from the dead.

And if while you make your personal stake

       Your neighbor can make one, too.

Your church will be what you want to see-

       It isn’t your church- it’s YOU.

 

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A Resolution of the Vestry on Inclusivity at St. James' Church, San Francisco passed unanimously by the Vestry on December 17, 2000

Whereas all people are created in the image of God and are worthy of respect and honor. We are called to respond to the love of God in ourselves and to offer God's love to one another. In our baptismal vows we promise, with God's help, to seek and to serve Christ in all persons. To love ourselves and our neighbors, to respect the dignity of every human being and to strive for justice and peace among all peoples. This is the Gospel to which Jesus calls us, and by which the Holy Spirit moves us, when we open ourselves to God's infinite grace.

Whereas our churches and our society have frequently ignored this call. And yet, at the same time, the church has been, and is, a spiritual home for millions, and has often worked tirelessly for and with the poor and the oppressed, has built and maintained countless schools and hospitals through the ages, has been a strong force in the civil rights movement, has supported efforts to stop violence, and in modern times has championed the rights of women.

Whereas we recognize that along with the blessings the church has brought to many, inside and outside the institution, the church has also often reflected the prejudices of society including racism, sexism, homophobia and religious exclusivity. The church has too often been unjust and self-righteous rather than loving and inclusive. Fear, prejudice and discrimination are part of a history of oppression within the church and society that distorts our relationship with ourselves, with God and with other people, and diminishes the humanity of both oppressors and oppressed.

Therefore we resolve to make explicit our welcome to all people. To women, men, children and youth. To people of all colors. To lesbian and gay, bi-sexual, transgendered, and straight people. To single, married and partnered people and to all families, however constituted. To people of all cultures, classes, ages and abilities. To people of all faiths and to all questioners and seekers journeying more deeply into the Holy. The Episcopal Church of St. James', SF welcomes you.

We resolve to welcome one and all to join our communion table without prerequisite, to live and work together, and to participate in all aspects of the ministries, governance, stewardship, leadership and fellowship of this congregation. We unreservedly encourage all people to join with us in bearing witness to God's grace according to the gifts given them, and in carrying on Jesus' work of reconciliation in the world.

We resolve that wherever we see divisions created by prejudice, we will seek, with God's help, to be a place of reconciliation, offering a love that casts out all fear. Where we see injustice and ignorance, we will offer our ministry of advocacy and education, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth, and into ever deeper communion with God, with ourselves and with one another.

Respectfully submitted by,

Rich Mayer, Jim Turner, Laurel Whitney, John Gallagher, Joan Robinson, Carl Frankel, Mary Moore Gaines.

Membership at St. James': We have a policy about membership at St. James' that says that membership is between you and God and not in the hands of any commitee. You become a member of St. James' simply by declaring yourself a member or simply by being a member. You can live into your membership in many ways: through worship, fellowship, community service, becoming a Sunday minister (usher, reader, coffee hour host, flower arranger, etc), vestry member and by making a pledge to support the annual operating budget. We will be delighted to include you in any and all aspects of parish life and look forward to getting to know you better and being on the journey of faith together.

End

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