Press release:
St. James Episcopal Church, Batavia, is celebrating its 200th Anniversary this year. Bicentennial celebration events will take place throughout the year beginning with a special 1815-style church service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 8. The service will consist of liturgy and music most likely used 200 years ago at St. James, whose parishioners included many of Batavia’s founding families.
Some of the other events planned for the year include:
- April 12th -- A talk about early Batavia by local historian Larry Barnes.The focus of the talk will be about the founders and early Vestrymen who played a prominent role in the formation of our city. Mr. Barnes will also enlighten us on the accomplishments of Mary Elizabeth and Robert Wood. Along with being a member of St. James Church, Miss Wood was the first director of Richmond Library. Rev. Wood was an Episcopal missionary in China. Miss Wood followed her brother to China and began her life’s work of establishing libraries in China.
- April 24th -- A musical presentation by Vox Lumine
- May 2nd -- Thanksgiving in May Dinner
- May 9th -- Period Tea and Fashion Show
- June 6th -- Festival Eucharist Celebration with Choral singing and Brass accompaniment with celebrant William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York
- June 13th -- A Live Batavia appearance and presentation by Suzanne Oliver, co-author of “The Faith Club.” Her book weaves the story of three women, their religions (a Muslim, a Christian and a Jew) and their quest to understand one another. There will be several studies relating to this book throughout the community prior Ms. Oliver’s appearance.
The St. James Bicentennial meshes well with the concurrent City of Batavia Centennial Celebration.
