St. James' Episcopal Church and Parish House

St. James' Episcopal Church and Parish House is a historic Episcopal church at 2500 Jerome Avenue and 190th Street, in the Fordham neighborhood of The Bronx in New York City. It was founded July 5, 1853, becoming the first Episcopal parish in Fordham. The parish at first met at the Manor Reformed Church on Kingsbridge Road, then on June 11, 1854 acquired an old schoolhouse for use. On October 1, 1854, the Rev. Joshua Weaver became its first rector.[4]

St. James' Episcopal Church
St. James' Episcopal Church and Parish House
St. James' Church
South side
40°51′50″N 73°54′0″W
Location	2500 Jerome Ave., Fordham, The Bronx, New York City
Country	United States
Language(s)	American English
Denomination	Episcopal
Website	stjamesfordham.org
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	5 July 1853
Founder(s)	Joshua Weaver
Dedication	James the Great
Consecrated	November 1, 1865
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	May 28, 1864
Construction cost	$25,000
Specifications
Materials	Stone
Administration
Diocese	New York
Province	International Atlantic Province (Province 2)
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Andrew M. L. Dietsche
St. James' Episcopal Church and Parish House U.S. National Register of Historic Places NYC Landmark No. LP-1081 Area 1 acre (0.40 ha) Built 1863 (for church)[1] 1891-1892 (for parish house)[1] Architect Henry C. Dudley (for 1863 church)[1] Henry Franklin Kilburn (for 1891-1892 parish house)[2] Architectural style Gothic Revival NRHP reference No. 82003347[3] NYCL No. LP-1081 Significant dates Added to NRHP September 30, 1982 Designated NYCL November 25, 1980

Buildings

The church was designed in 1863 by architect Henry C. Dudley (1813-1894).[1] Bishop Horatio Potter laid the cornerstone of the present building on May 28, 1864, and the church was consecrated by the same on All Saints' Day, November 1, 1865.[4]

It is a "native stone" building with brownstone trim in the Gothic Revival style.[1] It was completed at a cost of $25,000.[4]

The stone parish house, located on Jerome Avenue, was built 1891-1892 to the designs by Henry Franklin Kilburn.[1][2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[3] It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1980.

The parish also operated an apartment building on its property, built to relieve the housing shortage after World War I and as a business venture to raise revenue for expanding the church and parish house. It opened in 1924; however, the debt proved onerous with the coming of the Great Depression. The property was finally sold in 1924.[4]

See also

• List of New York City Designated Landmarks in the Bronx
• National Register of Historic Places listings in the Bronx

References

1. Andrew Scott Dolkart and Anne B. Covell (August 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: St. James' Episcopal Church and Parish House". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2011-01-12. See also: "Accompanying five photos".
2. New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. "Designation List 425"
3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
4. Saint James' Church, Fordham (1953), Saint James Fordham's First 100 Years, pp. 2–15

External links

• St. James' Episcopal Church website