In 1906, Christ Church of Ridley Park’s third mission, St. James’, Prospect
Park, was established. The origins of this mission are rather different from the
previous two. Bishop Whittaker decided that the Rev. Steinmetz, with his
boundless energy, was capable of looking after it in addition to his other
duties, since it was a diocesan mission and therefore received funds from
Convocation.
On March 5, 1907, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of
Pennsylvania gave permission for the establishment of the Mission. Church
services continued to be held for the next three years on the second floor of
Galloway Hall where an altar on wheels was used on Sunday morning and chairs and
benches were set up.
After a year's hard effort, Mr. Steinmetz, on October 5, 1907, obtained
permission to have the Rev. Mr. W. B. Nash appointed an assistant minister and
made Vicar of Moore (at that time the town of Prospect Park was named Moore),
subject to the Rector of Christ Church.
By 1908, Francis C. Steinmetz was Rector; Reverend Belknap was Priest in Charge.
The mission was declared independent in 1910, but in 1912, after the Vicar of
Moore resigned, it was again returned to Christ Church’s care.
Over the next fifteen years the Mission held suppers and minstrel shows in
Galloway Hall and also had lawn parties in Park Square to raise funds.
In June 1909, enough money had been raised to purchase three lots at the
corner of 11th and Lincoln Avenues and ground was broken at that time to start
the building of a church.
On Tuesday, January 25, 1910, St. Paul’s Day, the first service was held in the
new church. More than 200 people attended this service that consisted of evening
prayer and confirmation.
In 1923, Christ Church of Ridley Park appointed the Reverend William Warren
Vicar. In October 1929, ground was broken for the present church building and
rectory. In November 1929, the Reverend William Warren died and in January 1930,
the Reverend Paul R. Reinhart was appointed 3rd Vicar.
In December 1944, the members of St. James’ Episcopal Church requested the
Diocesan Convention to admit the mission into full union as a parish. In May
1945, the Convention admitted St. James’ as an incorporated parish following its
consecration by Bishop Hart. First election by the vestry was the election of
Reverend Paul R. Reinhart as Rector. Father Reinhart died on May 11, 1951.
Before his death, Father Reinhart had secured permission from the church and the
borough to be buried on the church property. His grave can be seen today from
Lincoln Avenue.
In January 1952, the Reverend K. R. Rogers was elected second Rector, and at that time additional property on 11th Avenue was purchased for future expansion. Reverend W. F. Penny was elected Rector, following the resignation of Father Kenneth Rogers. In 1962 the cornerstone was laid for the church hall dedicated to the memory of Father Reinhart under the guidance of our third Rector, The Rev. Wilfred F. Penny. Fr. Penny was not only our spiritual leader but also an active member of Prospect Park Fire Company and could often been seen driving the fire truck.
On October 1964, Reverend R. H. Hutchinson, Jr. became Rector and served until
January 1972. The Reverend James’ R. Harkins became the fifth Rector on June 1,
1972, and in 1974, Reverend P. J. Reynierse became Rector. Father Reynierse left
in 1988 and was followed by several interim rectors until Father William Duffy
was elected to be the 7th Rector in 1990.
Father Rory Harris was installed as the 8th Rector in 1998.
He was called to another church in 2005.
