About St. James’ Episcopal Church
St. James’ is a Gospel-centered community, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Our members have a strong desire to live out the good news of God in Jesus Christ in their lives, their families and their community.
St. James is a welcoming, Christ-centered community that provides opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to grow together in faith through worship, education, fellowship and outreach.
Our Mission is reflected in the Baptismal Covenant of the Episcopal Church
To continue in the worship, teaching and fellowship of God’s people, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Clergy & Staff
Fr. Richard Morgan
Priest in Charge
Luann McIlvaine
Parish Administrator – Bookkeeper
Jim Zeloyle
Organist
John Eagles
Sexton
The Vestry
… Vestry shall be agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relation of the Parish to its Clergy.
Our Vision
A Call to Worship
We are all on a spiritual journey, and the parish family of St. James’ invites you to join us as we journey together.
Worship is the gathering together of persons who seek to encounter God through the beauty, wonder, mystery and mindfulness offered by the liturgy.
We invite you to join us in a meaningful way as we seek to worship God “in the beauty of holiness,” and to serve God by reaching out in love to the wider community.
So we’re holding a place for you at the table. This is the table of sharing with the poor of the world with whom Jesus identified himself.
It is the table of communion with the earth in which Christ became incarnate.
Come to this table
You who have much faith and you who would like to have more
You who have been here often and you who have not been here for a long time
You who have tried to follow Jesus and you who have failed.
Come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.
Our Beginnings
History of St. James’
In the fall of 1842, the Rev. Gregory Bedell, then Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in West Chester,
conducted a service of worship in the home of Dr. Andrew Wills for a group of Episcopalians living in Downingtown.
That was the beginning of St. James’ Church.