1931 through 1981
St. James’ first service was held in a tourist court in December 1931 for a congressional of six or seven. Worship services continued at various locations, including the Masonic Hall and a dance studio, until 1935 when Bishop Cassidy decided St. James’ needed a permanent church home. Ground was purchased at 36th and South Olie for $700.00. Members spent their spare time working on the church, which was completed in 1936. In 1939, a $400.00 gift from the Diocesan Women's Auxiliary made a parish house, with the vicarage upstairs, possible.
St. James’ closed during the Second World War due to the lack of clergy. Presbyterians, who later formed Southminster Presbyterian Church, rented the property. St. James’ resumed services in 1946 under lay leadership. It services were held between the morning and evening services of the Presbyterians, who continued to rent the property.
In 1949, Milton Mick Williams, a sent seminary graduate, came to St. James’. He was ordained a priest at St. James’ on April 1950. During the next five years, the congregation grew from 27 to 120. The congregation had an international flavor with members representing eight different countries. Several members of the congregation were “war brides” and one was a “war groom”.
Between 1958 and 1964, St. James’ had its greatest growth. A petition for parish status, which the Diocese granted on January 23, 1963. During this period, St. James’ outgrew its location on Olie. With a loan from the Mission Growth Fund, the 5 acres, where the church is presently located, was purchased. Groundbreaking was held on August 15, 1965, for two metal buildings. The first service in St. James’ new home was held October 3, 1965. These two metal buildings are still in use as a parish hall and a multipurpose building. Groundbreaking for the present sanctuary was held December 13, 1970. The first service in this sanctuary was held on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1971. A gift of an almost life-size Christus Rex was installed the previous April 4.
In the mid-1970s, membership and financial support declined forcing St. James’ to revert to mission status. In 1981, Rev. William Spaine was installed as St. James’ new vicar. He began an effective evangelical program that produced a 17% rise in new Christians. Also, outreach projects and programs were started.