Black History, Black Future! Save the Date for our 2023 Dr. Audrey Evan's Scholarship Benefit, returning to the Mann Center For Performing Art on May 23rd. Visit stjamesphila.org/scholarship-benefit for more information!

This week, we invite you outside to the west front of St James-the-Less. Notice the similarities and differences between St Michael’s, Longstanton, and St James-the-Less.

Preserved from the prototype at St Michael’s is the very steep roof, which seems to travel down almost to the ground. Ralston himself was insistent on preserving the low exterior walls and steep roof even when some members of the vestry suggested raising the height of the walls.

Amplifying the dramatic pitch of the roof are the two chunky buttresses, set at angles, that frame the west front at each end. A second pair of tall, very deep buttresses frame a simple lancet window (a clear hallmark of the Early English Gothic) taken precisely from St Michael’s. The height of the church is dramatized by the triple bellcote—a rather Victorian deviation from the original at St Michael’s—surmounted with a prominent cross, which crowns the west front.

The prospect, especially among the tall and beautiful trees of the churchyard, is that the church has emerged from the earth itself. In most ways it has: through the use of local stone (wissahickon schist) and through the hands of local craftspeople. Honesty of material here coincided with the desire of the founders of St James-the-Less to return to the catholicity of the Anglican Church in its teaching, ritual, and mission. A return that although deeply informed by the Oxford Movement and the Ecclesiological Society in Britain found unique expression in 1840s Philadelphia.

With thanks to Mr D McKay of Cambridge for the photograph of St Michaels.

Happy Black History Month! St. James strives to celebrate Black History every day with Black History 365. In February we amp up our celebrations with planning for our spring career day, wax museum, and room/office dedications. Enjoy some photos from our now 8th graders first wax museum at St. James in 2019.