St. James Episcopal Church (Greeneville, Tennessee)

Updated on Dec 22, 2023

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Churchmanship Broad Church Former name(s) Greeneville Parish Dedication James, son of Zebedee Phone +1 423-638-6583		Website st-james-episcopal.com Founded 1842 Opened 1850 Architectural style Carpenter Gothic
Denomination Episcopal Church in the United States Address 107 W Church St, Greeneville, TN 37745, USA Diocese Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee Similar First Baptist Church Greeneville, Notre Dame Catholic, Cumberla Presbyter Church, First Christian Church, First Presbyter Church

St. James Episcopal Church is a historic Episcopal church in Greeneville, Tennessee.

The St. James congregation was organized in 1842 as the "Greeneville Parish, Greene County," by a small group of faithful Episcopalians who gathered for worship at the Greene County Courthouse. They were admitted to the 1848 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, and subsequently were approved as a formal parish at the diocesan convention in July 1849.

The parish constructed its present church building in 1850, modified it in 1894, and further enlarged the structure in 1951. It is said to be one of Tennessee’s oldest unaltered churches.

Between 1852 and 1901, Saint James experienced great turmoil, having to close its doors for 18 months during 1873 to 1875. During this period Saint James lapsed into mission status and did not regain its standing as a parish until 1957.

Clergy

1850–52 The Rev. William H. Good

1852–54 The Rev. W. P. Gahagan

1854–60 The Rev. W. M. Steel

1860–69 The Rev. William Mowbray

1869–72 The Rev. T. Duncan

1892–95 The Rev. Alexander C. Killeffer, Vicar

1927–37 The Ven. Henry T. Geiger, Archdeacon

1937–39 The Rev. Joseph L. Kellerman, Vicar

1939–45 The Rev. Charles Boyd Romain, Vicar

1945–48 The Rev. Eric Sutcliffe Greenwood, Vicar

1948–54 The Rev. Armand T. Eyler, Vicar

1954–56 The Rev. Thomas Hall Carson, Jr. Vicar

1957–61 The Rev. Warren Hugh Steele, Rector

1961–64 The Rev. Joseph T. Boulet, Rector

1964–81 The Rev. Robert Alan McMillan, Rector

1981–83 The Rev. Rowland A. Clarkson, Supply Priest

1983–86 The Rev. Patrick C. Larkin, Rector

1986–98 The Rev. Rowland A. Clarkson, Rector

1999 The Rev. Willis W. H. Poyser, Rector

2002–04 The Rev. Jack Franklyn Wilcox, Jr.,Rector

2005–present The Rev. Carolyn W. Isley, Rector

Mater Purissima

In 1950, the parish commissioned ecclesiastical artist Sister Mary Veronica (Community of St. Mary) to paint an altarpiece. The oil and gold painting, entitled Mater Purissima (Latin: purest mother), emulates the medieval styles of fifteenth century European masters Friars Angelico and Lippi. The colors are traditional—red symbolizing the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and blue representing the Purity of His Blessed Mother, Saint Mary.

Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942), one of the preeminent ecclesiastical architects of the twentieth century, considered Mary Veronica as the greatest iconographer of his time. Cram once said that she was the only artist for whom he would willingly alter his designs. Sister Mary Veronica was born Ella MCullough and lived from 1864 to 1965. Her paintings are on display in select cathedrals and churches throughout the United States and overseas. Saint James is most fortunate to enjoy one of Mary Veronica’s works.

References

St. James Episcopal Church (Greeneville, Tennessee) Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Clergy

Mater Purissima

References