Tempe Houses of Worship photography project, St. James Episcopal Church
Artist
Dick George
DateAugust 15, 2012
MediumPaper
Dimensions8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact
Catalog number2012.12.41
DescriptionInterior photographic view of St. James Episcopal Church, 945 W. Warner Rd., Tempe, 85284.Per Dick George's catalogue notes:
"Date of construction: 1991
St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church was in transition at the time of my first visit on Aug. 15, 2012. Father Rick (last name in file of property releases) was the interim pastor who opened the sanctuary and allowed me to photograph.
I do not know the accuracy of a story I heard from others in the Tempe Episcopal community, but here it is: sometime in the 2000s, members of the existing St. James church membership divided over the issues of (1) the ordination of Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop, as the presiding bishop of the national Episcopal church and (2) the question of welcoming gays, lesbians, and same-sex couples into the St. James church.
Apparently, the story holds, a significant number of the membership of St. James left and formed their own church the better to reflect their beliefs on these issues.
In the summer of 2012, St. James was without a permanent pastor. Father Rick told me that long-range plans for the growth and expansion of the church facilities were suspended because of on-going uncertain finances as a result of the schism. The sanctuary, for example, was originally planned as a multi-purpose room to be replaced when the permanent sanctuary would constructed on the property. As a consequence of the schism, however, the multi-purpose room still serves as the sanctuary.
Status
Not on viewCollections
October 1984
October 1984
September 1978
