St James-the-Less Episcopal Church stands before you. It is a testament to architectural influence. This church was designated a National Historic Landmark. Its Gothic Revival architecture influenced many churches.
Let’s delve into the history of Saint James Church. Philanthropist Robert Ralston wanted to found a church. It was to be near his land on Ridge Road. Sadly, he died before it happened. His friend Samuel Jarvis knew about the Cambridge Camden Society.
The congregation joined the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1846. They acquired land from Laurel Hill Cemetery. They wanted to serve the wealthy and working class. Mansions overlooked the Schuylkill River. Hunting Park Avenue was nearby. The industrial neighborhood was known as Allegheny West.
Saint James Church was traditionally High Church. In 1869, it did not install gas lighting. Oil lamps replaced candles around 1885. The tower and chimes were dedicated in 1910. Electric lighting and central heat arrived around 1913.
The National Park Service recognized Saint James Church. It called it the first pure English Parish church style in America. It is one of the best examples of a 19th-century American Gothic church. Its design coherence and authenticity are profound. It greatly influenced major architects. They spearheaded the Gothic Revival in the United States.
The Gothic architecture was almost accidental. The congregation sought approved plans from the Cambridge Camden Society. The society mistakenly sent drawings by George Gordon Place. These were for St Michael’s Church in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire. Architect John E. Carver followed these plans closely.
Later American churches were influenced by Saint James’ design. These include All Saint’s Memorial Church and St Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Saint James Church sits on the edge of a hill. It is north of Mount Vernon Cemetery and east of Laurel Hill Cemetery. West Hunting Park Avenue is just beyond the churchyard’s south wall. Industrial buildings lie to the west. Today, the shady churchyard is an urban oasis.
The Wanamaker Memorial Bell Tower and mausoleum was built in 1908. John T. Windrim designed it. It houses tower chimes and bells. A parish hall was built across West Clearfield Street. It later housed the parish school.
The congregation of Saint James Church protested the ordination of women. They withheld diocesan payments. In 1999, the bishop refused to renew a preaching license. The congregation tried to form a nonprofit corporation. They wanted to transfer the church property.
In 2001, the diocese sued to seize the property. The courts ruled the merger invalid. The Diocese assumed control of Saint James property.
In 2008, Saint Mark’s Church adopted Saint James Church as a mission. Weekly Mass resumed. The breakaway congregation largely entered the Roman Catholic Church.
The parish school closed around 2006. Saint Mark’s Church began fundraising to open a new school. Saint James School opened in 2011. It covers grades five to eight.
Many notable people are buried in the churchyard. Chapman Biddle was a Civil War Union Army officer. Horace Binney was a US Congressman. James Barnet Fry was a Civil War Union Brigadier General. John Wanamaker founded Wanamaker’s Department Stores. He was also the Postmaster General.
Take a moment to appreciate Saint James Church. Its history and architecture are truly remarkable. The cemetery is open to the public. You can explore the final resting place of many notable figures.