Our Parish History

The adherents of the Protestant Episcopal faith of the borough have formed a congregation, and all effort has been started toward the erection of a sanctuary in the borough. By a call issued last week, Services were held in Galloway Hall on Sunday, which was attended by almost a half-hundred Episcopalians, and from the interest manifested It is believed the building of an Episcopal church is not far off in the Distant future. The nearest Episcopal Church to the borough is at Ridley Park, or the mission at Essington.
(Chester Times, December 20, 1906)

Dec. 1906-  evening prayer service held in local hall after which Christ Episcopal Church, Ridley Park forms a mission and appointed Rev. Belknap Nash Vicar

Mar. 1907- Episcopal Diocese in Philadelphia approves establishment of Mission and services continued in local hall for next 3 yrs

June 1909- 3 lots were purchased on the corner of 11thand Lincoln Ave. and ground was broken on a new church building

January 25, 1910- 1st service held in new church with more than 200 in attendance

Prospect Park’s new parish house will be dedicated this Evening, the service to be begun at 8 o’clock. The ceremony will be in charge of Bishop Jaggar, Rev. Francis M. Taitt, of St. Paul’s P. E. Church, Chester, who is dean of this county, will be present and will assist with the service. Four candidates for admission to the church will be confirmed at the conclusion of this dedication ceremonies.
(Chester Times, January 25, 1910) 

1923- Rev. William Warren appointed Vicar

1929- Present Day church building and rectory completed

1930- Rev. Warren dies and Rev. Paul R. R. Reinhardt is appointed Vicar

May 1945- the mission achieved parish status, the first Vestry was formed, and the Vicar at that time, Fr. Reinhardt, was called as the first Rector of the Parish.

May 1951- Fr. Reinhardt dies and is entomed in concrete in the newly created Memorial Garden

1952- Rev. Kenneth R. Rodgers called as second Rector and addition property was purchased for further expansion on Eleventh Ave. 

1954- Rev. Wilfred Penny called as Rector

1962- Cornerstone was laid and parish hall completed/dedicated as a memorial to St. James’ first Rector, Fr. Reinhardt. 

1964- Rev. Robert H. Hutchinson Jr. called to serve 

1972- Rev. James R. Harkins became fifth Rector

1974- Rev. Peter J. Reynierse called 

1990- Rev. William F. Duffy becomes seventh Rector

1997- Rev. Rory Harris called to serve as Rector

2007- Fr. William Hesse serves as Rector

2011- St. James goes thru a turbulent time but the congregation rallies together and calls Part time Rector Fr. John Wallace

2016- Rev. Christina Nord serves as an Interim during our time of transition

2019- Rev. Jessie Thompson becomes Priest In Charge