Who Are We

The Reverend William Levington founded St. James’ and was the first black priest to serve as a missionary of the church in the South. Levington, a native of New York, was ordained a deacon on March 14, 1824 and a priest on March 23, 1828. Both ordinations were by Bishop William White of Pennsylvania at St. Thomas’ Church in Philadelphia. Bishop White also performed the ordination of Absalom Jones, the founder of St. Thomas’ parish in 1795, at which time Levington was an infant in New York. St. James’ is an Episcopal Church and follows the order of worship found in Episcopal churches in the United States and abroad, which is based on the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

At St. James’, the celebration of Holy Eucharist is the principal form of worship on Sunday, and services are held at 9:30 a.m. Our services include congregational hymns, offerings from St. James’ choirs, and a sermon. Music is a treasured part of worship at St. James’ and we are proud of our two choirs: the Expressions of Faith Gospel Choir, and the Key of Christ Handbell Choir.

Our Story

The Reverend William Levington founded St. James’ and was the first black priest to serve as a missionary of the church in the South.

Levington, a native of New York, was ordained a deacon on March 14, 1824 and a priest on March 23, 1828. Both ordinations were by Bishop William White of Pennsylvania at St. Thomas’ Church in Philadelphia. It worth noting that Bishop White also performed the ordination of Absalom Jones, the founder of St. Thomas’ parish in 1795, at which time Levington was an infant in New York.

St. James’ is an Episcopal Church and follows the order of worship found in Episcopal churches in the United States and abroad, which is based on the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

At St. James’, the celebration of Holy Eucharist is the principal form of worship on Sunday, and service is held at 9:30 a.m. The  service includes congregational hymns, offerings from St. James’ choirs, and a sermon. Music is a treasured part of worship at St. James’ and we are proud of our two choirs: the Expressions of Faith Gospel Choir, and the Handbell Choir. Please note that, on occasion, only one service will be held on Sunday morning. Please consult the upcoming events section for information.

What We Value

 

Our values are expressed in what we believe and proclaim. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and contain all things necessary for salvation, and were written for our learning. Therefore we seek to hear them, read, mark, learn, and outwardly digest them. That we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which the Lord has given us in our Savior Jesus Christ.
  • We seek to live and share the greatest commandment, that we love the Lord our God with all hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds; and the second, that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
  • We believe in following Jesus in the Way of love.
  • We believe the kingdom of God is here, we seek to make it match the dream of God.
  • We believe God loves you—no exceptions.