St. James is an Episcopal parish in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

The History of St. James Episcopal Church

One of Florida’s Oldest Episcopal Parishes — Reborn in Every Generation

St. James Episcopal Church is a parish of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Our roots run deep in the soil of Florida’s early days, and our story is one of faithfulness, resilience, and renewal.

The Episcopal Church in the United States traces its heritage to the Church of England, shaped by ancient Christian tradition, liturgy, and apostolic succession—a visible continuity reaching back to the earliest followers of Jesus.

Chartered Before Florida Was a State

St. James was originally founded in 1835 under the name St. Joseph’s, making us one of the first seven Episcopal congregations in the Florida Territory. That’s three years before Florida became a state—or the Diocese itself even existed.

Our founding charter came not from a diocese, but directly from the Territory of Florida. That makes St. James a rare and remarkable witness to the beginnings of Episcopal faith in the Southeast.

💀 Yellow Fever, the Great Tide, and a Sacred Pause

The early years were not easy. A devastating Yellow Fever outbreak, followed by the disaster known as The Great Tide, forced the community into retreat. Services ceased. Buildings were lost. But the spirit of the church was never extinguished.

A Rebirth in the 20th Century

In 1931, nearly a century after its charter, the church was re-founded and given a new name: St. James Episcopal Church. This marked the beginning of a new era of ministry and growth. The parish formally achieved parish status in 1962, signifying its strength and stability within the Diocese.

Our first permanent location was on 6th Street in Port St. Joe. That original church building still stands today and is now home to another congregation—testimony to the ongoing spiritual legacy born there.

A New Home, A Renewed Mission

In the early 1990s, St. James made a bold move to build anew. Our current church home was constructed in 1993–1994, designed as a place of prayer, beauty, and welcome for the people of Gulf County and beyond.

On April 10, 1994, the new church was formally dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Charles Duvall, then Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

Still Rising

Today, St. James continues its mission in the wake of yet another historic disruption—Hurricane Michael, which left the parish without a priest for five years. With the arrival of The Rev. Dr. Rian Adams, St. James is writing another chapter: one of revival, healing, and holy imagination.

We are proud of our long history. But more importantly, we are excited about our future.