Who We Are
St. James’ is an open and welcoming community of people from a variety of religious backgrounds, nationalities and lifestyles. We are the church home not only to many in our own neighborhood but to others who travel from other towns within a 20-mile radius to worship here, attracted by our friendly atmosphere. We hope you will come and experience St. James’ for yourself.
Our History
Ours is the oldest church building in Montclair, erected in 1878 as the Cliffside Chapel, and dedicated in affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. On December 15, 1887, the Chapel was opened as a Diocesan Mission of St. Luke’s, Montclair, and leased by a group of Episcopalians in Upper Montclair who purchased it the following year.
On December 12, 1888, The Right Reverend Thomas A. Starkey, Bishop of Newark, gave his canonical consent for the formation of a parish. The name St. James’ Episcopal Church of Upper Montclair was adopted.
In 1889 the stone cross was placed on the gable on the front side of the building, and electricity was installed for light and the organ. In 1905, the Men’s Guild was established and became the driving force in acquiring funds to enlarge the physical plant. In 1910-13 the vestry purchased an additional fifty feet of land to the south of the church and buit a new parish hall.
During World War I, the Parish Hall teemed with people making garments and bandages every day. In addition, 93 men and women from the congregation served our country – seven of whom gave their lives. After the Armistice, parishioner Alexander Luchars provided considerable funds to erect a bell tower as a memorial to those who died and a thank offering for those who returned. The congregation and community gave eleven chimes. Francis A. Nelson, parishioner and local architect, designed the tower. The corner stone with a Cross of St. James was laid on August 23, 1919, bearing the inscription "For God and Country."
In the mid-1920s the chancel and nave were enlarged, and a choir room and guildhall added. A redesign of the chancel – constructed of solid oak by the J. & R. Lamb Studios – was completed in the early 1940s. In 1946 the stained glass windows, by Henry Lee Studios of Philadelphia, were finally completed.
During the late 1950s, membership continued to grow and the baby boom greatly increased the number of children at St. James’. The Judd Education Wing was built in the mid 1960s to accommodate our expanding Church School membership, and is now also used by the St. James’ Preschool Program. The courtyard created by this addition became our Memorial Garden and Columbarium in 1987.
Our Facility
We at St. James’ feel we are a central part of life in Upper Montclair, and that the community’s use of our building is an important part of our ministry. Not only is the church open daily for prayer, our front yard is a place where people take their lunch break or enjoy a concert on a summer evening. Our playground is available afternoons and weekends for parents to bring young children and play on the swings. We open our doors to such non-profit organizations as the Career Closet, sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women for Essex County, which distributes gently used clothing for women re-entering the work force. We provide meeting space to self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Arts Anonymous, and Al-Anon, as well as to community fund-raisers that support other causes. Among these are Doctors Without Borders, Tibetan Buddhist monks, Teens for Life’s support of people in Rwanda, and high schools raising funds for Darfur.
We are proud of our fine building, and blessed to call it home. However, time and weather have taken their toll, causing deterioration to stone work, roof and the boiler system – the restoration of which will cost $1.6 million. To meet this challenge, a Capital Campaign was launched in September 2008 because we want to make sure that our facility continues to exist as a place where we share God’s love with others.
