Our History
Saint James Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, has a rich history that dates back to the earliest days of the United States. James Island was first explored and settled by the English in 1670 and was home to some of the earliest settlers of the area. It was established as “Jamestown” in 1671.
Saint James Church Has a Long History on James Island
In November 1706, the assembly of South Carolina appropriated money to establish six churches. Saint Andrew’s Parish included James Island, and the Anglican congregation on James Island was active and recognized as a separate church by 1720.
The congregation met in a house with the rector of Saint Andrew’s Parish, Rev. William Guy. In his report of August 1, 1722, plans for the building of a chapel were mentioned. That chapel was probably completed in 1722.
James Island was remote in the early years, and the parish went into disuse several times. The first of these times was during the American Revolution, when it appears there was no priest from 1773 to 1787.
Resilience Through Fire and War
The records were destroyed with the building, making little else known about the church. During that time the chapel building was destroyed and the third chapel building was completed in 1787. When the Diocese of South Carolina was established after the American Revolution, Saint James became Saint James Episcopal Church.
In 1862, services were discontinued because of the Civil War. The church was destroyed by fire in 1864 unrelated to the war, and services were held in the Presbyterian church after everyone returned.
From 1864 to 1899, few services were held, but in 1898 Saint James was organized as a mission of The Diocese of South Carolina once again. Saint James Episcopal Church played an important role in providing farming jobs to many unemployed members of the community.
Rooted For Centuries
In 1946, Rev. Edward Brailsford Guerry (1946-1960) held regular weekly services for the first time since 1861. He built both a parish house in 1949 and a bigger new church in 1959 (completed in 1960 and consecrated in 1964). Both these buildings still stand today.
In 1968, under Rev. Charles Duvall (1962-1971) the congregation grew significantly, requiring the parish house to be doubled in size to add Sunday school and office space.
A Bright Future for Saint James Episcopal Church
Some members and leadership of the church decided in 2013 to take the church out of The Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church. After nearly a decade of court decisions, Saint James Parish Church was ultimately returned to The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of South Carolina in 2022, where it had been rooted for centuries.
As we continue to write the next chapters in the beautiful, complicated story of Saint James Episcopal Church, we seek to create a welcoming space for all people to come and worship the Lord and serve Him and our community.
Thanks be to God!
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