History

In 2025, the Church of St. James, East Emily celebrated its 180th Anniversary.  Since our founding in 1845 an Anglican community has been gathering here to worship and serve our neighbours in the name of Christ.

Emily Township was first settled in 1825 by families who came from poverty in Ireland.   An original settler, William Boate, donated land on Lot 22, in the Sixth Concession, for an Anglican church and burial ground.  The new church was built on the northeast corner of the lot. It was made of flat pine logs and was painted white. It was consecrated with the name of St James the Apostle in September 1845. The original church was demolished in 1900, and the present brick-fronted church was erected in its place.

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In 1958, the congregation launched a complete renovation. The basement was excavated to build the present hall underneath the church, and the chancel, at the east end, was extended by eight feet.  The dedication of the new chancel, basement hall, and memorial gifts took place on November 20, 1960.

In more recent times, the Parishes of Christ Church, Bridgenorth and St John's, Orange Corners amalgamated with St James. In 2011, St James was twinned with St Barnabas in Peterborough, allowing us to have access to two priests, several lay readers and a joyful faith community.

​​In 2010, Reverend Eugene Berlenbach proposed making the church more accessible by building an extension over the lower hall on the north side.  In 2019, under the guidance of Rev. Milton Barry, a project to enlarge the main floor, widen the stairway to the lower level, and add other accessibility features began.  On May 15th, 2022, the new Fellowship Room was blessed by Bishop Riscylla Shaw and dedicated to the memory of The Reverend Eugene Berlenbach, whose dream had finally been brought to fruition.

​St James Church is not just the building, nor is it only the clergy who have conducted services here. It has always been the people of St James who have made this place a house of God. They have done so by putting their God-given gifts and strengths at the service of the entire community.  St James continues to be a place of worship and mission, anchoring the ever-changing community by offering outreach, hospitality, and friendship.