
	About St. James' We are diverse community of friends and neighbors, old and young, long-term members and newcomers. Our present and future is based on our own efforts to work together for our neighbors, welcoming and accepting all people. Many of us have come to St. James' as tourists or nomads and by welcoming St. James' into our hearts, are now pilgrims, sharing our gifts and talents to make the love of God and Jesus Christ known to any seeking them. Certainly, not all of us were raised in the Episcopal tradition. We have, however, found a home in St. James', a place where all are welcome to share in God's grace. We are able to find a niche here, and contribute our gifts as we are willing and able. Our many ministries speak to the varied display of members: children and elders, cooks and gardeners and knitters, caregivers and helpers, listeners and speakers, lifelong students and teachers and searchers. We have found that all of us have gifts to share; participating in the life of this parish helps us to discern what those gifts might be, and how to put them to the best use God has intended. Our Present and Future In 2006, St. James' undertook a visioning process, to see where we've come from, who we are, and where we are going. We took a long lens and examined our blessings, our traditions, our dreams. At the time, we did not know what form our "vision" would take— a statement, an image, perhaps a story or poem? After months of discussion, reflection, and vision, we were led to what might be described as serendipitous: a prayer. The Prayer for St. James' is the result of this community of people coming together, deciding who and what they are and what they want to be, and it uniquely describes St. James' Episcopal Church today: Most holy God, source of our vision, guide us to embrace the potential of this community to serve you in new and loving ways. Direct us in our efforts as we work together with love for our neighbors. Help us to welcome and accept all people. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Our worship services and music programs, from traditional and contemporary, shape our beliefs and allow us to give thanks for the blessings we receive through prayer, song and sacrament. Christian formation and education provides the continual, lifelong process of deepening our understanding of our own faith. We use our personal testimonies to share how own relationships with God have changed and grown. We strive to make clear the work of our parish, the Episcopal Church, and the gospel, to anyone who is interested. The beauty reflected throughout our campus is a testament to the abundance of God's love. We invite you to join us in whatever degree or capacity you able: we are an inclusive, multi-cultural congregation which welcomes all seekers and people of good will. Our History In 1862, when our nation was in the midst of the Civil War, a group of Centerville (California) citizens gathered together to form an Episcopal congregation. In 1866, a piece of property was obtained at what is now Fremont Boulevard and Thornton Avenue in Fremont, CA. This is where they erected the church building. This church was consecrated in September 1876 by the Right Reverend William Ingraham Kip, the first Episcopal Bishop of California. However, it was not until 1869 that the first resident priest, the Reverend Edward Warren, came to Centerville, where he was "boarded around town" by various church members. On February 23, 1877, Bishop Kip gave the canonical consent for the organization of St. James' as a mission in communion with the Diocesan Convention. Since those simple beginnings, much growth has taken place at St. James'. A rectory was soon built in 1884, and replaced by a new one in 1921. In 1925, a guild hall was built to provide space for church school classes and social gatherings. By 1948, St. James' was growing steadily and in 1955 the rectory and guild hall were loaded on trucks and began their slow move down Thornton Avenue to their present location. A new parish hall was built at the time the church was moved, and in 1961 the present church school building was erected. Since then, office and kitchen space, in addition to meeting rooms were added, remodeled, and improved. The use of plaques and stained glass windows, and a host of other items were inscribed with the names memorializing the many people and families in the Fremont-Newark area who so richly contributed to the beginnings and continuing life of St. James'. More recently, our campus has been blessed by a memorial park, beautifully nurtured with markers and natural beauty. On February 27, 1977, the parish celebrated its 100th Anniversary, with the Rt. Reverend Kilmer Myers, Sixth Bishop of California, presiding at the Eucharist, baptisms and confirmations, just as was done 100 years previously by his predecessor. It was especially noteworthy that two sons of the first warden on St. James' were present, Warren and Albert Healy. In September 2005, St. James' then celebrated 50 years at its present location. 2007 marks 140 years of St. James' in Fremont. The names of all the people who have been involved in the life of St. James' are too numerous to list. But their lives have spoken and continue to speak of the ongoing pulse of the church. While groups within our church organizations come and go, many have morphed and adapted and continued the work started by those early pioneers. Our many ministries today speak volumes of the traditions that those of us here today hold dear and carry forward. From its beginning, the parishioners of St. James' have worked and prayed to make God's love known in the community through worship, outreach, and warm hospitality. As we look towards the future of the church in the 21st century, the same faith and love that founded our parish will continue to nurture the people of the Fremont-Newark-Union City area and beyond.
	37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont, CA 94536 * (510) 797-1492 * E-mail: Copyright 2008 St. James' Episcopal Church * Page Last Updated 2/2/2008

About St. James'

Member of St. James' Epsicopal Church We are diverse community of friends and neighbors, old and young, long-term members and newcomers. Our present and future is based on our own efforts to work together for our neighbors, welcoming and accepting all people. Many of us have come to St. James' as tourists or nomads and by welcoming St. James' into our hearts, are now pilgrims, sharing our gifts and talents to make the love of God and Jesus Christ known to any seeking them.

Certainly, not all of us were raised in the Episcopal tradition. We have, however, found a home in St. James', a place where all are welcome to share in God's grace. We are able to find a niche here, and contribute our gifts as we are willing and able. Our many ministries speak to the varied display of members: children and elders, cooks and gardeners and knitters, caregivers and helpers, listeners and speakers, lifelong students and teachers and searchers. We have found that all of us have gifts to share; participating in the life of this parish helps us to discern what those gifts might be, and how to put them to the best use God has intended.

Our Present and Future

In 2006, St. James' undertook a visioning process, to see where we've come from, who we are, and where we are going. We took a long lens and examined our blessings, our traditions, our dreams. At the time, we did not know what form our "vision" would take— a statement, an image, perhaps a story or poem? After months of discussion, reflection, and vision, we were led to what might be described as serendipitous: a prayer. The Prayer for St. James' is the result of this community of people coming together, deciding who and what they are and what they want to be, and it uniquely describes St. James' Episcopal Church today:

Most holy God, source of our vision, guide us to embrace the potential of this community to serve you in new and loving ways. Direct us in our efforts as we work together with love for our neighbors. Help us to welcome and accept all people. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our worship services and music programs, from traditional and contemporary, shape our beliefs and allow us to give thanks for the blessings we receive through prayer, song and sacrament. Christian formation and education provides the continual, lifelong process of deepening our understanding of our own faith. We use our personal testimonies to share how own relationships with God have changed and grown. We strive to make clear the work of our parish, the Episcopal Church, and the gospel, to anyone who is interested. The beauty reflected throughout our campus is a testament to the abundance of God's love.

We invite you to join us in whatever degree or capacity you able: we are an inclusive, multi-cultural congregation which welcomes all seekers and people of good will.

Our History

In 1862, when our nation was in the midst of the Civil War, a group of Centerville (California) citizens gathered together to form an Episcopal congregation. In 1866, a piece of property was obtained at what is now Fremont Boulevard and Thornton Avenue in Fremont, CA. This is where they erected the church building.

This church was consecrated in September 1876 by the Right Reverend William Ingraham Kip, the first Episcopal Bishop of California. However, it was not until 1869 that the first resident priest, the Reverend Edward Warren, came to Centerville, where he was "boarded around town" by various church members. On February 23, 1877, Bishop Kip gave the canonical consent for the organization of St. James' as a mission in communion with the Diocesan Convention.

Since those simple beginnings, much growth has taken place at St. James'. A rectory was soon built in 1884, and replaced by a new one in 1921. In 1925, a guild hall was built to provide space for church school classes and social gatherings. By 1948, St. James' was growing steadily and in 1955 the rectory and guild hall were loaded on trucks and began their slow move down Thornton Avenue to their present location. A new parish hall was built at the time the church was moved, and in 1961 the present church school building was erected. Since then, office and kitchen space, in addition to meeting rooms were added, remodeled, and improved.

Old Little Church of St. James The use of plaques and stained glass windows, and a host of other items were inscribed with the names memorializing the many people and families in the Fremont-Newark area who so richly contributed to the beginnings and continuing life of St. James'. More recently, our campus has been blessed by a memorial park, beautifully nurtured with markers and natural beauty.

On February 27, 1977, the parish celebrated its 100th Anniversary, with the Rt. Reverend Kilmer Myers, Sixth Bishop of California, presiding at the Eucharist, baptisms and confirmations, just as was done 100 years previously by his predecessor. It was especially noteworthy that two sons of the first warden on St. James' were present, Warren and Albert Healy. In September 2005, St. James' then celebrated 50 years at its present location. 2007 marks 140 years of St. James' in Fremont.

The names of all the people who have been involved in the life of St. James' are too numerous to list. But their lives have spoken and continue to speak of the ongoing pulse of the church. While groups within our church organizations come and go, many have morphed and adapted and continued the work started by those early pioneers. Our many ministries today speak volumes of the traditions that those of us here today hold dear and carry forward.

From its beginning, the parishioners of St. James' have worked and prayed to make God's love known in the community through worship, outreach, and warm hospitality. As we look towards the future of the church in the 21st century, the same faith and love that founded our parish will continue to nurture the people of the Fremont-Newark-Union City area and beyond.

37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont, CA 94536 * (510) 797-1492 * E-mail: