History of St. James Church of Kingsessing

The story of St. James church begins in November 1637, when the two small ships, Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip set sail from Gothenburg, Sweden bound for the New World. The area of St. James Church has become a settled farming district. The residents, many of them Swedish descendants, had to travel great distances to get to Church as there was no Swedish Church between Gloria Dei and Wilmington. So, the pastor of Gloria Dei, the Rev. Carl Wrangel began preaching on Sunday afternoons in the area. He preached at the house of a rather wealthy man. James Coultas and soon the crowds became so great that he had to preach outdoors. Finally, it was decided to build a church. Mr. Coultas, who was a surveyor and engineer, supervised the building, and the people themselves did the actual work. Often more than hundred people at a time came out to work on the building. Many people contributed to the work. Mr. Coultas gave “40 pounds” toward the building, and the royal Governor of Pennsylvania gave “20 pounds”. The building held 600 people. Woodland avenue was then known as the “Kings Highway”.

In 1777 to 1778 when the British occupied Philadelphia, the British General Sir William Howe, Commander of His Majesty’s forces in America, made his headquarters across from the burying ground. In the cemetery lie the bodies of Revolutionary Soldiers, including Lt. Peter Jones and General Josiah Harmar. After the Revolution the church in Sweden informed the Swedish Churches in America that they would no longer be able to provide Pastors or financial aid from Sweden this caused St. James Church to be admitted to the membership in the Convention of the Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1844 and was the first of the Swedish Congregations to officially become an Episcopal Church.

During the middle of the nineteenth century, the area developed into a rather “well-to-do” section. Men who had made fortunes in manufacturing and trade-built mansions in the area. Many of these men, such as Robert Buist, George Eastwick and Thomas Sparks were members and vestrymen of St. James’ church. The church had to be enlarged to accommodate the increased numbers and in 1854 Thomas Sparks was concerned about education. In 1859 a Sunday school building was built near 69th street. Thomas Sparks gave money for the construction of a schoolhouse, and in 1865 a one-story building was built. In 1904 the Sparks building was enlarged to accommodate a growing Sunday School. The old Sunday School building on 69th street was converted into the Rectory, and the property was enlarged to include the entire city block from Woodland to Paschall Avenue, and 68th street to 69th street.

During the years of the twentieth century, St. James has become very much a city church. In 1962 the “200th anniversary” of the laying of the cornerstone was celebrated. The annual Lucia Fest in December recalls the Swedish heritage of the congregation. The past is behind us. The future lies ahead. As we look into the future, we have the same hope and confidence for our church as we have for our nation, that we will be able to meet the challenges we face and overcome them. We have great history, many fine people, and the determination to go forward in the service of God.

The previous Rectors who have served at St. James Church:

C. M. Wrangel Died 1786

Andreas Goeranson 1768-1779

Matthias Hultgren 1779-1786

Nicholas Collin 1786-1831

Jehu Curtis Clay 1831-1843

C. S. Brinkle 1843-1848

J. Brinton Smith 1848-1856

Charles A. Maison 1857-1895

S. Lord Gilberson 1895-1930

William Roberts 1930-1941

James C. Gilbert 1941- 1966

Robert C. S. Deacon 1966-1980

Reed Brinkman 1981-2007

George O. Master 2008-2018

Robert Magoola 2018- December 2020

Lorraine Harris Interim Priest In-charge January 2021- Present