St. James of Jerusalem
a Mission of the Diocese of Long Island
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
St. James is a place of extreme welcome and radical hospitality.
Absolutely everyone - those of great faith or great doubt, regular churchgoers, the “spiritual but not religious”, the merely curious, noisy children, skeptical teens, over-worked parents, honored elders, and everyone in-between - is wanted, expected, and awaited here. We hope our church will reflect the open-hearted God whom we worship, so welcome is our primary ministry.
Should you journey with us - for a while or forever - your talents will be put to use, your voice honored, your heart known, your needs respected, and your hurts treated with care.
St. James Church offers hospitality to a 10:00 am, Monday - Friday Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
We collect non-perishable foods for the Long Beach Soup Kitchen and our local sister churches, and are seeking additional ways to be of service to the people of Long Beach.
History
St. James of Jerusalem in Long Beach, NY, was founded in 1880.
The chapel was legally incorporated as a church in 1938 when it moved to its present location and the current building, which has been granted landmark status, was constructed.
We are part of the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) which is led by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and a triennial General Convention. There are 100 dioceses - local gatherings of churches - in the United States, each led by one or more bishops. The word, “episcopal”, in fact, is Latin for “bishop”. Ours is the Diocese of Long Island, with 132 congregations, and is led by The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano.
Leadership
St. James of Jerusalem church is currently experiencing a leadership transition.
Our pastor, the Reverend Susan K. Bock, retired on September 29, 2024.
The Reverend Joanne Izzo is currently serving as our interim supply priest.
We will soon be announcing the appointment of a new, full-time priest who will begin with Advent.
A Bishop's Committee and two wardens govern the church.
St. James Bishop’s Committee
Wardens
Elizabeth (Betsy) Hill
Wendy Goldstein
Members
William (Coty) Keller
Sean Parlakian
Cathy Thomas
Deborah Smith
Treasurer
Sean Parlakian
Convention Delegate
Ann Kemler
Barbara Horn, Alternate
Verger: Donald Fraser
Altar Guild: Margie Fraser
