LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Bicentennial Anniversary of the
St. James Episcopal Church, in Batavia, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorat-
ing the Bicentennial Anniversary of the St. James Episcopal Church, in
Batavia, New York, to be feted with a year-long celebration; and
WHEREAS, On June 6, 1815, a group of 11 men met for the purpose of
incorporating St. James Parish, and on April 10, 1816, ground was broken
for the brick Church on Ellicott Street; and
WHEREAS, It took six years to complete construction of this vital
house of worship; the first St. James Episcopal Church was officially
consecrated on Friday, September 22, 1826; and
WHEREAS, By 1833, the life of the brick Church was fading, and a new
stone building was erected on the same site three years later; this
church was consecrated on September 11, 1836; and
WHEREAS, A parsonage was also built adjacent to the Church, housing
the Rector for almost 70 years; today, the building is still used as
office space; and
WHEREAS, After almost seven decades, the stone church began to deteri-
orate; the cornerstone of the new St. James Church building on East Main
Street, the residential heart of the city, was dedicated on April 10,
1908; and
WHEREAS, At this time, the barn on the property was sold, the land
rented and the lumber from the house was saved for building purposes;
only the iron fence was left and today, is still standing along Main
Street; and
WHEREAS, As building progressed, windows were transferred from the old
church along with choir stalls, organ, chancel rail, lectern, taberna-
cle, Bishop's chair, litany desk and candelabras; Mr. George Rupprecht
also donated a new chancel window; the old Troy bell now hung in a truly
English belfry and first chimed the call to worship in the fall of 1909,
and the new rectory was completed in 1930; and
WHEREAS, Numerous events have been planned to be held throughout 2015,
in acknowledgement of the 200th Anniversary of St. James Episcopal
Church; to kick off the year-long celebration, a Sunday service was held
on Sunday, February 8, 2015; it was a recreation of its first service
which was held in 1815; and
WHEREAS, Many of Batavia's founding families were the first parishion-
ers of the historic church, and many of the streets in Batavia are named
after the original vestryman and founders, such as Ellicott, Trumbull,
Ross and Richmond; some of the current members attended the service in
costume of the 1815 time period; and
WHEREAS, Other planned events include: a lecture by local historian
Larry Barnes regarding Batavia with a focus on the founders and early
vestrymen of the Church who played a prominent role in the formation of
the city; a musical presentation by VoxLumine; Thanksgiving in May
dinner; Period Tea and Fashion Show; and a Festival Eucharist Cele-
bration with choral singing and brass accompaniment with celebrant
William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York; as well as a presentation
by Suzanne Oliver, co-author of THE FAITH CLUB; and

WHEREAS, Under the illustrious guidance of its current Pastor, The
Reverend Carolyn Lombard, St. James Episcopal Church now stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its
past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the St. James Episcopal
Church, in Batavia, New York, fully confident that this memorial
reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and
purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend Carolyn Lombard, Pastor, St. James Episcopal
Church.