Print
E-mail
Comment
St. James celebrates 75-year anniversary
 |
| The Rev. Don Keeling, rector at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church from 1969-82, works with church youth at the original church location at 1500 N. Thompson. St. James will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a dinner and reception Oct. 24. |
By Kassia Micek
As a rare and precious gem, St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church continues to shine light on the community.
This month, the church is celebrating its diamond anniversary with a 75th anniversary celebration and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Lone Star Convention Center, located at 9055 FM 1484 in Conroe.
“I think it’s well for us to remember our history in the community and look ahead to the future,” said Dick Deming, church vestry senior warden. “It’s a good occasion to look back at the struggles and accomplishments St. James has done for the community.”
The menu includes carved roast beef, rosemary new potatoes, Italian green beans and garden salad, with desserts provided through a dessert auction.
Video addresses will be given by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop of the Texas diocese; the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop suffragan of the Texas diocese; and the Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison, bishop suffragan of the Texas diocese and a former St. James rector.
The silent auction will include golf packages, gift baskets and travel packages. The church choir will make a presentation.
“There’s been a special song that’s been written by one of the choir members that we will auction off the dedication of it,” Deming said.
The song was written by B.D. Griffin, who will give a presentation on the founding of the church as his grandfather was a founding member.
St. James began in October 1934 as a new mission of the Episcopal Church when 18 people gathered for the first service. They continued to meet twice each month in members’ homes with the Rev. Charles A. Sumners, archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, officiating.
By October 1936, the Rev. R.L. Sturgis became the first resident priest. He served both St. James the Apostle and St. Stephen’s in Huntsville.
In March 1937, the original church building was completed at 1500 N. Thompson St.; and on the Eve of St. James’ Day, July 24, 1938, the Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quinn, bishop of Texas, consecrated the new church.
A milestone was reached in 1955 when the mission was elevated to parish status under the leadership of the first rector, the Rev. Herbert Beadle. A rectory and temporary parish hall were added to the campus.
The congregation soon outgrew the existing facility. Expansion and remodeling began, enlarging the seating capacity to 225 people. The rectory was converted to offices and a nursery, classrooms and a parish hall were added and additional property was purchased.
In 1972, parishioner Ednanne Pitts founded St. James Episcopal School with 22 2-year-olds.
In 1983, the parish hall was named Keeling Hall, in honor of the Rev. Donald H. Keeling Jr., rector from 1969 until his death in 1982.
In 1990, the school increased enrollment up to kindergartners; and in the early 1990s, first grade was added.
During the tenure of the Rev. Michael D. Chalk, 1983-94, the church and school moved in 1993 to the present location on a 14-acre, wooded site at 1803 Highland Hollow Drive.
In 1997, the school increased enrollment up to second-graders, with third-graders added in 1998.
The Rev. Dena A. Harrison served as rector from October 1997 until October 2000. Under her leadership, the school expanded and received full accreditation through fourth grade by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools.
The Rev. Linda Seracuse was installed as rector in September 2001, and the school’s accreditation was extended through sixth grade in 2003. The school currently has 94 students.
“I think it’s a community that is committed to faithful worship and raising up leaders and young people and being family to one another and serving the community,” the Rev. Robin Reeves, interim rector, said about St. James.
For more information, call (936) 756-8831 or visit www.stjames-conroe.org.
This month, the church is celebrating its diamond anniversary with a 75th anniversary celebration and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Lone Star Convention Center, located at 9055 FM 1484 in Conroe.
“I think it’s well for us to remember our history in the community and look ahead to the future,” said Dick Deming, church vestry senior warden. “It’s a good occasion to look back at the struggles and accomplishments St. James has done for the community.”
The menu includes carved roast beef, rosemary new potatoes, Italian green beans and garden salad, with desserts provided through a dessert auction.
Video addresses will be given by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop of the Texas diocese; the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop suffragan of the Texas diocese; and the Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison, bishop suffragan of the Texas diocese and a former St. James rector.
The silent auction will include golf packages, gift baskets and travel packages. The church choir will make a presentation.
“There’s been a special song that’s been written by one of the choir members that we will auction off the dedication of it,” Deming said.
The song was written by B.D. Griffin, who will give a presentation on the founding of the church as his grandfather was a founding member.
St. James began in October 1934 as a new mission of the Episcopal Church when 18 people gathered for the first service. They continued to meet twice each month in members’ homes with the Rev. Charles A. Sumners, archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, officiating.
By October 1936, the Rev. R.L. Sturgis became the first resident priest. He served both St. James the Apostle and St. Stephen’s in Huntsville.
In March 1937, the original church building was completed at 1500 N. Thompson St.; and on the Eve of St. James’ Day, July 24, 1938, the Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quinn, bishop of Texas, consecrated the new church.
A milestone was reached in 1955 when the mission was elevated to parish status under the leadership of the first rector, the Rev. Herbert Beadle. A rectory and temporary parish hall were added to the campus.
The congregation soon outgrew the existing facility. Expansion and remodeling began, enlarging the seating capacity to 225 people. The rectory was converted to offices and a nursery, classrooms and a parish hall were added and additional property was purchased.
In 1972, parishioner Ednanne Pitts founded St. James Episcopal School with 22 2-year-olds.
In 1983, the parish hall was named Keeling Hall, in honor of the Rev. Donald H. Keeling Jr., rector from 1969 until his death in 1982.
In 1990, the school increased enrollment up to kindergartners; and in the early 1990s, first grade was added.
During the tenure of the Rev. Michael D. Chalk, 1983-94, the church and school moved in 1993 to the present location on a 14-acre, wooded site at 1803 Highland Hollow Drive.
In 1997, the school increased enrollment up to second-graders, with third-graders added in 1998.
The Rev. Dena A. Harrison served as rector from October 1997 until October 2000. Under her leadership, the school expanded and received full accreditation through fourth grade by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools.
The Rev. Linda Seracuse was installed as rector in September 2001, and the school’s accreditation was extended through sixth grade in 2003. The school currently has 94 students.
“I think it’s a community that is committed to faithful worship and raising up leaders and young people and being family to one another and serving the community,” the Rev. Robin Reeves, interim rector, said about St. James.
For more information, call (936) 756-8831 or visit www.stjames-conroe.org.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
robroy wrote on Oct 17, 2009 9:22 AM: