History

About Us

History

44 S. Halifax Dr.
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
(386) 677-1811
(386) 672-9977 (FAX)

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Services

Sunday:
Eucharist: 8:00 am, 10:00 am,
and 6:00 pm

Monday, Tuesday:
Morning Prayer: 9:00 am
Evening Prayer: 4:00 pm

Wednesday:
Eucharist: 12:15 pm
Evening Prayer: 4:00 pm

Thursday, Friday:
Morning Prayer: 9:00 am
Evening Prayer: 4:00 pm

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Episcopal
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History of St. James

St James was organized as a mission of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Daytona Beach in l890 and located on Granada Boulevard at Halifax Drive. Volunteer carpenters built the “Florida Gothic” church building which seated about 90. The mission separated from St. Mary’s in l908 and became an organized church in the Diocese of Florida.

In 1921, the building was moved a few hundred feet south to a larger parcel where it remains today. Experiencing growth, the present-day sanctuary, which accommodates 600 people, was built in l962 and the former wooden church became the chapel. St. James became a parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of South Florida in 1954 after 64 years as a mission, and, in 1969, the parish became a parish in the newly-formed Diocese of Central Florida. Upon the church’s Centennial in 1990, the Ormond Beach City Commission designated the original church building as an Historical Landmark.

Over the years, St. James became part of the community fabric. l954 saw the establishment of a co-educational church school, the Parish Day School, as the principal outreach of the parish. It grew over the next six years to K-6. By l989, all elementary grades PK-8 were offered. To accommodate the school, in 1974, the first phase of a 6,000 sf two story building was constructed contiguous to the church, with subsequent 16,000 sq. ft. of additions in l982 of a gym, more classrooms, kitchen and cafeteria, and playgrounds. In 1992, school growth caused construction of a 6,300 sq.ft. building to house the parish offices separate from the school. The school is now known as “St. James Episcopal School” and is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools. It continues to serve the community and any alumni have children in the school today.

Today, the parish serves sixty-five ministries and programs within and outside the parish. It annually hosts “The Holiday Bridge Challenge, a Run for Missions”, during Christmas week each year. Proceeds go to five charities. The parish is indeed an integral part of the community.