Step back in time this Sunday and celebrate the first of many bicentennial events being held at St. James Church in Batavia this year.
The Sunday service, which begins at 10 a.m, will recreate its first 1815 service.
In preparation for the event, Chairman Jim Ellison said “we looked through the archives and found liturgy that may have been used.”
The service will be at a Chancel Altar, with candles and a small area of pews as if they were to relive that moment in time -- except for one difference. The Reverend Carolyn Lombard will be presiding over the service.
From 1815 until sometime in 1970, only men were allowed to be priests in the Episcopalian faith.
Many of Batavia’s founding families were the first parishioners of the historic church. Many of the streets in Batavia are named after the original vestryman and founders, such as Ellicott, Trumbull, Ross and Richmond. Some of the current members will be attending this week’s service in costume of the 1815 time period.
The community is welcome to attend the service, to be followed by a free breakfast, serving flapjacks and porridge as they would in days gone by.
This is the first of the many as the celebration continues with the following events:
- April 12 -- A talk about early Batavia by local historian Larry Barnes. The focus of the talk will be about the founders and early vestrymen who played a prominent role in the formation of our city. Barnes will also enlighten listeners by telling of accomplishments of Mary Elizabeth and Robert Wood.
- April 24 -- A musical presentation by VoxLumine
- May 2 -- Thanksgiving in May dinner
- May 9 -- Period Tea and Fashion Show
- June 6 -- Festival Eucharist Celebration with choral singing and brass accompaniment with celebrant William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York
- June 13 -- A presentation by Suzanne Oliver, co-author of “The Faith Club.” Her book weaves the story of three women, their religions (a Muslim, a Christian and a Jew) and their quest to understand one another. There will be several studies relating to this book throughout the community prior Oliver’s appearance.
St. James Church, in addition to celebrating its bicentennial, will be starting their annual Friday Lenten fish fry dinners starting Feb. 20 -- eat in or take out at the church hall, located at 405 E. Main St. Any community member (non-parishioners only), who attends this bicentennial kick-off event and breakfast, will get a free fish fry dinner as well.
So come for breakfast, get a dinner, and step back in time and celebrate 200 years of St. James Church.
