The Rev. Marshall Wilson came to St. James in 1927 and remained for ten years. The church suffered financial difficulties during these Depression Years, and Fr. Wilson was asked to serve as Vicar of St. Peter's Church, Mt. Arlington, which had been established in 1894. He was followed at St. James by The Rev. George Wadsworth.
Though St. James was established in 1859 as a Parish, no formal organization existed between 1896 and 1939. The church was termed a "preaching station" rather than a Mission. Organized as a Mission on January 9, 1939 by Canon Leslie, The Rev. Sydney Grant followed The Rev. George Wadsworth. During his tenure., St. James celebrated its 86th Anniversary with the burning of its Mortgage. Fr. Grant served until 1945. There was no assigned priest for several years thereafter and Fr. Shipley, a retired priest from Philadelphia living in Port Murray, conducted the services. The Rev. George Palmer was assigned and served through 1949. He was followed by The Rev. Clarence Buchanan, who died in office in 1953.
Following Fr. Buchanan's death, Bishop Washburn was invited to attend St. James' Vestry meeting. A heated discussion ensued. The Vestry felt that the Bishop did not show sufficient concern for the future of St. James. At the time, the priest-in-charge of St. James was expected to serve the missions of Mt. Arlington and Stanhope, a territory of 300 square miles. St. James Vestry felt this did not allow for sufficient concentration within this Parish and asked that assistance be given to the priest. The Bishop refused, citing the huge geographic territories served by other priests around the country. This meeting proved to be a turning point for the Parish within the Diocese.
Soon after this meeting, The Rev. Clarence Sickles approached St. James' Executive Committee and asked permission to request that the Bishop assign him as Vicar of St. James. The Vestry approved and, on December 20, 1953, Fr. Sickles was appointed Vicar. His ministry was geared toward helping the aged and infirmed; the creation of Heath Village and the establishment of the House of the Good Shepherd are attributed to his intervention.
On Saturday, October 3, 1959, St. James celebrated its 100th anniversary with a dinner at the Clarendon. Sunday morning worship on October 4th consisted of a special service of celebration.
The Rev. Arthur Wing succeeded Fr. Sickles in the summer of 1965. He served until 1969, which saw the arrival of The Rev. George H. Brant.
The ensuing chapters -- written by The Reverends Sydney Grant, Clarence Sickles, Arthur Wing and George H. Brant --give personal insight into events which occurred during their respective tenures.
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| Acknowledgment | ||
| The Ven. Sydney E. Grant | ||
| The Rev. Arthur Wing III | ||