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StJames Beginnings

St James Mission
In 1889 services began in what became to be known as the St James Mission. These were held in an iron building in Alexandra Road, West Ealing -where Waitrose currently stands. Attached to this was a Mission Hall in Talbot Road, in the area where the Green Man Estate now stands.

The First Vicar
The first vicar was Rev. Evan Jones who set about raising the funds for a new larger building to be constructed. His concerts, sales of work, bazaars etc, were so successful that the first part of the building was opened free of debt. A tablet to his memory is placed in the chancel to commemorate his work and ministry.

Evan Jones Tablet

In 1900 the present site was purchased by the Bishop of London's Fund and fund raising continued apace. The first sod of earth was cut in October 1902, and the foundation stone was laid in the presence of more than 300 people on 30th May 1903. On this day a sealed bottle containing a parchment scroll on which was inscribed the history of the church was placed under the foundation stone for posterity.

 
Foundation Stone

Building work continued, and the Bishop of London, Rt Rev Dr A.F. Winnington Ingram, consecrated the central part of the new building on Sunday 11th June 1904. At that time it was recorded that 'more people attended the ceremony than the building would hold'. By order of the King Edward VII in March 1905 a parish was specifically created for St James.

 

 

Dedication Of St James 1907

 

 

The building costs amounted to the considerable sum for those days of £5,147. More funds were raised and the building was finally completed in 1909.


Golden Jubiliee
In 1954 St James celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Church records commemorate a now very busy church:


Sunday School held every week at 3pm.

Mothers Union flourishes with 50 members - meetings held once a month.

Young Wives group has 40 members meeting every Tuesday afternoon.

Girl Guides has 24 members making up the 19th Ealing Company

Brownies amass in two packs.

Men's Social Club has 30-60 members every Thursday for games of darts and snooker or to watch a film show.

The Meredith Players which is St James dramatic society was founded in 1948. It is so called after the vicar of the time Rev Meredith Davies. Three plays of a very high standard are produced each year.

Wednesday Sewing Guild provides for the local dressmakers

Whist Drives are held every Tuesday

 

Church attendance at St James thrived until the mid-1960s. However Britain suffered a general decline in church-going and by 1984 St James became uneconomic and had, sadly, to be closed down.


For a few years St James become derelict and infested with pigeons. It was threatened with being demolished to make way for a car park for the local supermarket. However in 1990 a small group from St John's Church were re- planted back into the building. Led by Tom Biddulph they set about reopening the church. The group’s enormous physical work reclaimed the building. The side hall was refurbished first and used for three years until the main body of the church was sanitized enough to be inhabited. Gas heating was installed. Then Rev Don Smith was employed and the church continued its restoration.


New lighting was fitted inside and out, the roof repaired, the vast ceiling was painted, giant windows re-glazed and protected, sound system installed, Church Hall stripped and redecorated, a new kitchen and toilet block built. The forecourt was improved and new carpets laid. The conclusion of fourteen years work, mainly executed and financed by the church members themselves, resulted in a building and a community ready to celebrate and what better occasion that its grand centenary in 2004.

 

                                   St JAMES @ 100

 

By 2004 St James had returned to being a thriving 'local village' community again. There were Quiz nights, exercise classes, New Year's Eve parties, dance classes, teaching groups, art classes, playgroups, receptions, children's parties, and of course, a Sunday School.


Theatre lighting was installed in the main body of the church and once again the highest standard of classical music, theatre, dance, musical revue, and even a one-man drama have all been staged. St James hosts Ealing's leading Arts and Crafts Fair. Here the atmosphere of local artists selling their wares, whilst working at their craft, is very enjoyable and helps raise the profile of this local productivity throughout West London. Don had to move on in May 2008.

                                         Information from St James Millennium Leaflet gratefully acknowledged.