The History of St. James
St. James is currently celebrating its 85th year, having been established in 1923. Any history of the parish, however, must begin with reference to the Church of the Epiphany, which preceded St. James as the near-north side Episcopal Church in Knoxville. Epiphany was established as an outgrowth of St. John’s (now the Cathedral) and opened its doors in 1868. It thrived for many years and was said to have been almost as large as the parent. Sometime around the early 1900’s its membership began to decline, however, and by 1920 its congregation was reduced to a handful.
In 1923 St. James was established as a mission with its own rector and the rector of St. John’s as the priest-in-charge. In 1925 the Reverend Eugene Hopper became rector, a position he held for thirty-one years. In fact, the parish has experienced unusual stability in clerical leadership, having had only three rectors in the last forty-four years.
The first St. James building was completed in 1927 and expanded in 1962. In 1996 a new parish wing was completed.
Located on the “near-north side” of Knoxville, the area in which the church is located was one of the first suburban developments north of the city. For the most part it was characterized by middle and upper middle income homes with a sprinkling of small business establishments along the major artery which bisects the area – North Broadway. The church location soon gave rise to its characterization as the “Friendly Little Church on Broadway,” an appellation of which the congregation continues to be proud.
By the 1950’s the population of the north side of Knoxville had grown substantially. St. James was the beneficiary of this growth, reaching a high point of some seven hundred communicants in 1956. Overcrowding, coupled with the fact that the center of population had grown further to the north, led St. James to purchase land in Fountain City and assist in the establishment of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Its initial congregation was composed primarily of those transferring from St. James.
By the late 60’s and early 70’s, the surrounding area began to experience significant change as newer suburbs attracted many who had lived in the area. As a result, the characteristics of the population of the area have changed considerably. Some of the significant demographic characteristics are as follows:
| |
Subject Area |
U.S. Average |
| Age 65 and Over |
18.0 |
12.4 |
| Race (White) |
83.7 |
75.1 |
| Race (Black) |
12.8 |
12.3 |
| Rental Occupied Housing |
47.0 |
33.8 |
| High School Graduate |
66.9 |
80.4 |
| College Graduate |
14.5 |
24.4 |
| Individuals Below Poverty Level |
20.9 |
12.4 |
In summary, the area is now characterized by an older population with lower than average education levels and lower incomes along with an older housing stock, though the area has experienced a certain amount of “gentrification.”
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