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Parish History
page one, page two
In
June 1911 the first services of St. James Episcopal Church were held,
under the sponsorship of Trinity
Church, Asbury Park in homes and local storefronts. The first years of
the congregation were dismally disappointing. For almost three years the
group disbanded and no services were held.
In
October of 1914, Spencer Ruarley opened his home to a meeting of
parishoners blessed with both vision and fortitude. Twenty attended to
seriously discuss practical ways to start a mission in Bradley Beach. The
next week, a committee secured a lease on a vacant storefront on LaReine
Avenue between Main Street and the railroad.
The Sunday following,
thirty believers attended a service led by Father Railey. Growth was slow
but steady and the embryonic mission church progressed.
Sunday School began soon after with fifteen students and four teachers. Within
a short time the congregation had outgrown the store, and another
adjoining structure was secured for the princely rental sum of
$100 per year.
The
Women’s Guild began to raise funds for the growth of the nascent church.
Storefront meetings became a vibrant mission church, which has, in
turn, become the St. James Church of today. From those early days to
today, St. James remains dedicated to serving our Lord, our membership and
our community.
