Saint James Lutheran Church

Saint James Lutheran Church was organized in the early 1900s after The Reverend Miles Mehrkam, pastor of Saint John's Lutheran Church noted that a large amount of his congregation came from the east end of Columbia.  In 1901 the Susquehanna Fire Engine House was built and in 1902 a mission in the east end of town was established.  The services were held on the second floor of the firehouse at a cost of $6.00 a month.  In 1906 a vacant lot became available at 10th and Manor Street and was purchased by Saint John's for $1200.  A chapel was erected in 1907 for $1800.  Until 1920 the mission was called Saint James Sunday School.  In 1920 the new congregation was born and formed a parish with Concordia Lutheran Church of Chestnut Hill.

1920 - 1929

1921 - In June, The Reverend Arthur H. Getz became Saint James' first fulltime pastor.  Saint John's presented the deed for the lot at 10th and Manor Street to the congregation.  Since the membership had been growing, an enlargement of an additional room was erected along the North side of the church and a basement was put under it.  Electric lights were installed and the construction of a Chancel, an oak altar, a pulpit and a lectern were added.

1922 - In January, property was purchased at 1225 Manor Street to be used as a parsonage for $4500, half of which was paid by Concordia.

1924 -The Reverend Arthur Getz resigned and he was replaced by Reverend S. M. Wenrich.

1926 - Saint James became the first church in Columbia to offer vacation bible school.  A Woman's Missionary Society was founded and a Kindergarten Department was added to the Sunday School.

1927 - After the resignation of The Reverend Wenrich, Reverend Orlando Yerger was called to serve the church.

1929 - 1939

1930 - Reverend Orlando Yerger resigned.

1931 -The Reverend William E. Brandt became the new pastor.  Attendance greatly increased and it was necessary to remove the large wooden doors, which separated the Sunday School from the Sanctuary.

1932 - After a fire at the parsonage, extensive renovations to the exterior were made.  Reverend Mehrkam's wife had a tower erected at the church in his memory and Saint John's Church donated a bell, for the tower.

1937 - With the resignation of Reverend Brandt, Reverend George C. Klick was installed.  The church now had a senior choir, junior choir, men's chorus, Luther League, Women's Bible Class, Men's Brotherhood, Ladies Aid Society and the Kurtz Family Orchestra was formed.

1940 - 1949

1941 - A cement floor along with women's and men's restrooms were installed in the older section of the basement.  A celebration of the church's 21st anniversary and the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Sunday School was held on November 2nd.  A historical pageant was presented entitled, "Thy Kingdom Come."  During Reverend Klick's pastorate the church debt became a high priority and the complete elimination of the debt appeared in site.

1942 - With the onset of the Second World War Reverend Klick felt called to serve his country.  He departed August 31st, after revealing his armed forces chaplain uniform under his pastoral gown from the pulpit.

1943 - The Reverend Charles Naugle became pastor of Saint James and Concordia churches.  With the upcoming 25th Anniversary Celebration it was decided to purchase 23 stained glass windows at a cost of $3000.  With the onset of modern technology Reverend Naugle began broadcasting services on WGAL Radio.  Sunday School started using films and filmstrips as teaching aids, and the Ladies Aid Society began to carry a phonograph to play hymns to the shut-ins.  The ladies groups made and sold chicken pies, chicken corn soup, crab cakes, and held dinners.  Reverend Naugle delivered crab cakes in his car.

1949 - Reverend Naugle accepted a call to Macungie, Pa. and Saint James found itself once again in need of a spiritual leader.

1950 - 1959

1950 - A call was extended to Seminarian Raymond A. May following his graduation from Mt. Airy Seminary.  At this time, the United Lutheran Church in America moved to ban commercialism in favor of "sacrificial giving" so the ladies could no longer continue to make and sell their favorite goods.

1952 - Reverend May resigned to accept a call to Shiremanstown.

1953 -The Reverend Harry Steinman was installed as pastor.  During the time that Reverend Steinman was pastor two major changes were made.  They were the realignment of the synods at the beginning and the separation of the joint Saint James and Concordia parish at the end.

1958 - In January, Concordia Church severed the 37-year relationship with Saint James.  The congregation of Saint James purchased Concordia's half interest in the parsonage.  With the increase in the membership of the Sunday School it was decided that more space was needed.  A building plan was discussed.

1959 - In March it was decided to build a one story educational wing, a new kitchen in the basement and a new entrance way to both buildings.  In the same year, The Reverend Glenn Sullivan accepted a call to serve Saint James.  As was the case in many churches, activities of the church and attendance over the next five years increased.

1960 - 1969

1961 - In December, Reverend Sullivan resigned to accept a position as chaplain at Sellingsgrove State Hospital.

1962 - In May, The Reverend John Aurand became pastor of Saint James.  The sixties, as well as previous decades, saw continued improvements and development in this congregation.  Our church was stronger than most in its choir and Christian Education programs.  It reached new levels of ecumenical outreach and participation.  Two land acquisitions more than doubled the size of the property.

1963 to 1964 - During the early 1960's the church experienced some financial difficulty.  Every Member Visitation (EMV) pledges were received which helped reduce the debt principle by $5700.

1965 - The music department at Saint James, under the very capable directorship of Mrs. Evelyn Aurand (later to become a pastor herself), was greatly expanded.  In addition to the stepped-up program for the senior choir, a junior choir and an intermediate choir were organized and performed regularly at the services.

1967 to 1969 - The church building was a polling place for the 9th Ward of Columbia.

1970 - 1979

1970 - The congregation and the council voted at this time to remove the polling machines from the church.

1970 - A thin strip of land from Manor Street to Avenue W was purchased for $1500.  Reverend Aurand resigned to accept a call elsewhere.  Saint James was in need of spiritual guidance again.

1971 - A lighted cross was donated and placed on the Mehrkam Tower.  The church parsonage was vacant and in need of considerable repairs.  On May 16, the council and the congregation voted to sell the parsonage for $19,000.  In September, Reverend Glenn Keidel, Sr. was selected as our new pastor.  The church rented a home in Maytown for $110 a month to serve as a parsonage.  In October, painting and paneling work was done in the basement of the church at a cost of $150.

1973 - It was noted that the current organ was in need of major repair and in November a new organ was purchased for $9500.  During this time the church was also experiencing financial difficulty.

1977 - After several years of poor health Reverend Keidel passed away on June 7.

1978 - Seminarian George Post was called as pastor of Saint James.  In December the church received a bequest of $60,152.61 from the Richwine Estate with the stipulation the principal never to be spent.

1979 - The congregation took the steps to co-sponsor a Vietnamese refugee family with Saint Johns Church of Maytown.  In a very short time the family was self-sufficient.

1980 - 1989

1980 - The 60th Anniversary of Saint James was held on November 9th starting from the Susquehanna Fire Hall.  The congregation voted to purchase the new "green book" of worship.  Since there was no parsonage, a property at 1720 Manor Street was purchased for $20,000 down and a mortgage for the balance.

1984 - A bequest of $25,000 was received from Ruth Miller Frey, and consequently the church's debt on the parsonage was paid off.

1985 - Reverend Post resigned.

1986 - Seminarian Dennis Beaver was called to serve as pastor.  A room in the Sunday School wing was renovated for a pastor's study.  The church pews were refinished at a cost of $10,000.  New metal doors replaced the old entrance doors, and new carpet was purchased for the sanctuary.

1989 - Reverend Beaver resigned to accept a call to Saint Michael's in Michigan.

1990 - 1999

1990 - The Manor Street property was sold for $86,000.  In October, Reverend Richard Schwenkmeyer was called to serve Saint James.

1991 - New Sanctuary lights were installed for $7,700.

1992 - Saint James received a bequest of  shares of York and Columbia Water Company stock from Mrs. Erma Perry, a friend of the congregation who attended our church during the summer months each year.

1993 - Renovations were made to the current sound system at a cost of $4,000.  Reverend Schwenkmeyer revived the Junior Choir.

1994 - New double hung thermal windows were installed in the Sunday School wing at a cost of $9,500.

1996 - Reverend Schwenkmeyer resigned.

1997 - Gwenn Trout, a Gettysburg Seminary graduate, was called to Saint James.  On September 19, she was ordained and became Saint James' first female pastor.

1999 - Major renovations to the church building were made, including carpeting in the hallway and rooms of the Educational wing, painting in the Sanctuary, restrooms, and Educational wing.  The exterior wood was painted as well.  Repair and sealing of the brickwork also took place.  A room in the educational wing was converted into a parlor to serve as a multi-purpose room for viewings, chapel, meetings, and socials.  A new piano was purchased with money from the estate of Mary Kauffman.  During the past couple of years, several programs were added.  Confirmation Camp, a Long Range Planning committee and development of a Mission Statement to name a few.  The Youth Choir was also reestablished.  In June, Reverend Trout became the first pastor from Saint James to serve as Dean of the Lancaster Conference, ELCA.

2000 - 2005

2000 - In September Saint James celebrated its 80th year as an integral part of the community of Columbia.  Approximately 172 people attended a beautiful service.  Following the service, there was a social period where church memorabilia was on display and friendships were renewed.  This was followed by a picnic in the Church yard.  A new pictorial directory was published in time for the celebration.

2002 - Our last surviving founding member, Marguerite Stetter, passed away in her 100th year.  Miss Stetter was able to attend our last Anniversary celebration in 2000.

2003 - A renewal of wedding vows for couples married 50 years or more was planned for February 16.  We had 10 couples scheduled to participate, however, a major snow storm occurred and only (6) brave couples were able to be present.  A light lunch and reception was held afterward and was well attended considering the weather. The Reverend Gwenn L. Trout resigned WHEN and The Reverend David Klepper (retired) became our interim pastor during our call process.

2004 - The Reverend Mark S. Kopp became pastor of  St. James in July. Along with Pastor Kopp, his wife Keri, and daughters Lindsey and Crosby also joined our family. The Long Range Planning Committee was reestablished for the purpose of doing a feasibility study to address some needed changes to the our Church.

2005 - An 85th Anniversary celebration was held September 11.  The Rev. Carol Hendrix, Bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, delivered the sermon for the day.  The service included special music with guest musicians and a social period and picnic were held in the church yard after the service.  A new pictorial directory was also available at this time.

Over the past five years, we continued our on-going programs for the Food Bank, Operation Paperback, delivery of Thanksgiving baskets, weekly delivery of tapes to shut-ins, and Crop Walk  We had two yard sales with all profits going to charity.  The Youth group had "Super Bowl" Sundays where all proceeds went to charity, attended church and beach camps, retreats, and held pot-pie suppers.  WELCA sponsored a yearly work day at the New Windsor Center, and held Mother/Daughter banquets.  Men's Brotherhood held their annual sauerkraut suppers and Father/Son banquets.  Bible school was held each August.  We have our own team that raises money for cancer research.  We had our yearly family events ... strawberry socials, summer picnics at Fairview Park, December Advent social, and mid winter game nights.  We grieved when beloved members were called home to the Lord, and we celebrated with the addition of new members.  We have been an active Church and a vital part of our community, and we look forward to the future with joy and anticipation.