Specialties
As an Episcopal Church, we are a community of believers in Jesus Christ, and seek to fulfill our Baptismal Covenant. We believe that God calls us to provide for the spiritual needs of all people. We strive for lifelong Christian Growth through worship, education, fellowship, outreach, stewardship, and witness.
History
Established in 1894.
Grover Cleveland was President and Hazen Pingree was mayor of Detroit when a group met in 1894 and drew up articles of agreement for a church to be called "St. James Mission" in Birmingham. By the following year in 1895, a ground breaking and dedication of a new building, the Stone Church, took place with The Rev. Charles A. Cary serving as the first rector of St. James.
Through the 1890's and early 1900's and weathering changes in status, St. James became an independent parish in 1911. The location at the corner of Maple and Chester has seen many changes to the church building including additions in 1949, a fire in 1953, a new church and additions in the 50's, and interior renovations for our 100th anniversary in 1995; a century of commitment to a life of Christian faith, caring and fellowship.
Enhancing our presence in the Birmingham community, a carillon was installed in 1965.
Meet the Manager: Fr. Chris C.
Fr. Cunningham began his ministry at St. James on July 1, 2013. He comes to us from the Diocese of Southern Virginia, where he served as Rector of Johns Memorial Episcopal Church in Farmville, VA. He has previous experience at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Bluemont, VA; St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Purcellville, VA; Trinity Church, Manassas, VA; and as a Seminarian Assistant at St. John's, Centreville, VA and Christ Church, Winchester, VA.
Prior to his ordination, Fr. Cunningham served several tours of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. When not on active duty, he was a business consultant and Director of Information Technology at Virginia Theological Seminary.
He is a graduate of George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science. He earned an M.Div degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington, DC.
