Our History

»Gallery of Rectors«     »Lawrence Chapel«     »What's in a Name«
 

»For information on saving the Union Chapel click this link«

Here is what the original St. James' nave looked like before the fire in 1964.

A HISTORY OF ST. JAMES’ CHURCH

Foundation and until the Civil War

In 1841, when the railroad was being constructed to join the existing lines to Terminus (now Atlanta) with those to Chattanooga, the engineers made their base in Marietta, a young town founded ten years earlier.   Among these engineers were several Episcopalians;  together with William Root, who had opened Marietta’s first pharmacy and who had been holding Sunday School classes in his home, these men met in the home of Col. S. H. Long on May 23, 1842. 

The Bishop of Georgia had come from Savannah and agreed to the formation of an Episcopal church in Marietta, which would be a center “whence missionaries shall emanate into the Cherokee country.”   Bishop Elliott pledged financial support for the construction, matching funds raised locally up to $5000.   Construction began in September 1842, and the building was consecrated by the Bishop on Palm Sunday, April 9, 1843.

William Root had come from Philadelphia, and asked that the new church be named for his home church of St. James.   He was active as Sunday School Superintendent for 50 years, and was Senior Warden for many years.   Col Long had given the land for the church, and later moved away.   Mr. Garnett, whose construction company had built the railroad bridges in Cobb County, moved to Atlanta and was one of the founders of the first Episcopal church there, St. Philip’s, which later became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Atlanta in 1907.

St. James’ Church was active in the black community, sponsored St. Barnabas’ Sunday School, and also cooperated with other denominations in holding services and classes at the Union Chapel, whose ruins can still be seen on Powder Springs Road.  In 1849, a “grave land” was laid out on the furthest corner of the 20-acre church property, at the corner of Winn Street and what is now Polk Street.   Burials began in 1850 and continue to this day.

Parish income in the early years was chiefly from the sale of cemetery plots, pew rentals and a few gifts.   Parish support proving inadequate, parts of the property were gradually sold, until only the church site and the cemetery remained.

The War Years

The difficulties mounted during the Civil War.   The Rector, The Rev. Samuel Benedict, had been born in Connecticut, but was sympathetic to the Southern cause.   As the conflict drew closer, many citizens moved south, and when the city was occupied by Federal troops, Mr. Benedict was arrested for refusing to pray for the President of the United States.   He and his assistant, The Rev. J. J. Hunt, were confined in the Marietta  Hotel and then banished,  Mr. Benedict going to Canada.   The Federal Army occupied the church as a hospital, after plundering and causing great damage to the organ and the furniture.   The Church bell had been donated to the Confederate Army in 1862, to provide metal for armaments, but was captured by Federal troops.

In 1864, General Leonidas Polk, who was also the Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, was killed in the battle for Pine Mountain.   His body was carried to St. James’ Church along a trail which was later renamed Polk Street in his memory.

Reconstruction and Addition of the Lawrence Chapel

After the war, the task of rebuilding was begun.   Mr. Benedict returned from Canada, pews were replaced and vestments obtained.   Church women gave silver and jewels to be made into a new chalice, still used at Communion services.   A new bell was named for Julia Benedict,  the deceased wife of the Rector.  However, the small size of the remaining congregation made the task of restoration a long and slow one.  

In 1878, due largely to the inspired leadership of Col. Robert deTreville Lawrence, the men and boys of the church brought sand and rocks from Kennesaw Mountain to enable the building of a Sunday School room at the west end of the church.   The Brumby Chair Co. graded the site and used the surplus clay to make bricks for its factory on Church St.   This Sunday School room continued is use until 1956, when it was remodeled as a Chapel. Later remodeling in 1962 changed its appearance, and restoration to the pre-1962 character  is almost complete.    Dedicated to Col. Lawrence, the Chapel is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.   The 1865 organ, by Hook of Boston, is a classic example of a tracker organ, and was rebuilt in 1985.

In 1927, a new Parish House was built to connect the church and the Sunday School building, and changes were made to the interior of the church.   The burden of this debt was magnified by the Depression of 1929, and left the church in financial difficulties for many years.

Marietta Grows and St. James Thrives

This situation was alleviated during World War II, when the opening of the Bell Bomber plant resulted in a large increase in the population of Marietta, from 7500 to 25,000 in two years.   The larger congregation and the increased activities needed additional facilities;  in 1956, a new parish hall was built on the north side of the church.   The old parish hall was remodeled as a parlor.

In 1957, under the rectorship of The Rev. Joseph T. Walker, the St. James’ Day School was established to meet the desires of parents in the congregation The school became an independent body in 1972, as the Joseph T. Walker School, which enjoys a reputation as a first class private school.

Fire! and Rebuilding

In January, 1964, fire broke out in the boiler room of the church, and destroyed the church building;   the efforts of the Fire Department saved the Chapel and the Parish House.   During the rebuilding period, services and Sunday School classes were held in neighboring sites through the hospitality of our fellow townspeople.   The new, larger church was dedicated on January 16, 1966 by the Bishop of Atlanta, The Rt. Rev. Randolph Claiborne, whose father had been Rector of St. James’ from 1913 to 1924.   A new school wing was built at the western edge of the property.   The damaged bell was recast in Holland by the Schilling family, and is now used as a sanctus bell.

The Bishop had refused to consecrate the church while a debt was carried, so on April 18, 1993, 150 years after the consecration of the original building, the present church was consecrated by The Rt. Rev. Frank Allan and the remaining mortgage documents were burnt!   This occasion was the final event of the year-long celebration of our Sesquicentenary, which had begun on May 23, 1992 with a Gala Ball.

Thriving Again and Addition of the Tower Bells

Further changes were made in 1981, when the north entrance was enlarged and remodeled with a covered porte-cochere.   Alterations since then have resulted in the better allocation of the available space, but with the increased membership and the expansion of activities, it is inevitable that additional space is needed, and the Vestry is actively planning for this.

In 1991 – 1995, plans were made for installing a ring of eight English-style change-ringing bells in the tower.   The efforts of a few experienced ringers inspired the project, and a team of ringers was soon formed.   The inaugural peal was rung by some of them, together with visitors from the U.K. and from this country.   This peal followed the dedication by The Rt. Rev. Judson Child in March 1996.

The increased membership has resulted in the addition of services.  The Saturday evening service features an informal style, with contemporary music;   the early Sunday service retains Rite I liturgy, without music, and the two main services are now at 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., with Sunday School from 10:10 to 11:00 a.m.   On Wednesdays, there is a Healing Service at 5:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Chapel.

Throughout its history, St. James’ has focused attention on the needs of the community, and has retained this strong commitment to Outreach.   Activities include the Sunday Sack Lunch program, the Wonderful Days Pre-School for children from low-income families, Habitat for Humanity, and participation in the Cobb Family Resources program of financial help for those in need.   The Church Thrift Shop plays a valuable role under the management of the E. C. W.

Parish activities continue to thrive;   descriptions of the many opportunities for participation can be found in other publications.   This Parish Family values mutual affection, support and respect  --  joining together in the worship of God through his Son, Jesus Christ.