Our History
Twenty-five families of the Episcopal faith were living in the pioneer town of Zanesville, Ohio in 1816 when Dr. Joseph Doddridge, a doctor and an Episcopal priest, came to Zanesville. The group was organized in October 1816 as St. James Episcopal Church. The first confirmation was held May 23, 1819 and the parish incorporated in 1833.
After meeting in the Muskingum County Court House and at several other churches, the Episcopalians made plans to build on North Sixth Street. The church was built from quarried gray limestone in the Gothic style. The first service was held in the edifice on Easter Sunday, 1843.
Later a parish house was built across the rear of the church for educational classes, an office and storage. The undercroft contains the dining room and kitchen.
In 1882, the original configuration was reversed: the organ was moved from a rear gallery to the front of the chancel, the pulpit was lowered, and a large altar in the newly indented nave replaced the small side altar. The first stained glass window was installed over the altar. Through the years, eight large stained glass windows have replaced earlier windows of colored glass. The tower, erected in 1878, houses the church bells. Among more recent changes, a small elevator has been installed and the baptismal font moved from the front to a place near the entrance. Church offices and social areas of living room, dining room, and kitchen are now housed next door.
During the 190-year life of St. James’ parish we have had 25 priests. The members of our church are a devoted, diverse, and caring group of people from Muskingum County and surrounding communities.
The Schultz Mansion and St. James Church
For nearly half of the past century, the Schultz Mansion served as St. James’ rectory. Many from St. James view a visit to the Schultz Mansion as a sort of “coming home.”
In 1900 William D. Schultz had the house built as a wedding present for his bride Miss Ethel Granger. Mr. Schultz was the grandson of William Schultz, the first mayor of Zanesville and founder of Schultz and Company, a soap manufacturer that was eventually sold to Proctor and Gamble. Mr. Schultz died in 1921.
Following Mrs. Schultz death in 1935, the mansion and its contents were bequeathed to St. James’ Church. The first rector to live in the house was The Reverend Duncan Weeks until his retirement in 1951. The next residents were Father and Mrs. George S. MacCallum and their family. From 1957 until his retirement in 1987, Father Jack C. Bennett, his wife Evelyn and their three sons resided in the mansion.
Although Mrs. Schultz had designated income from a trust fund for maintenance and household staff, past records show that upkeep of the 26-room house and its grounds was a constant burden to the parish. In 1988 the property and contents were sold. Mrs. Schultz’s gift now benefits the parish through St. James’ endowment fund.
Many appointments of the church itself are gifts from Mrs. Schultz. Mrs. Schultz and her brothers gave the stained glass window, The First Miracle, in memory of their mother Mary Granger. Alfred Granger gave the Mary and Martha window in his sister Ethel’s memory.A portrait of Ethel Granger Schultz hangs at the head of the steps in St. James’ House.
The painting of the Schultz Mansion is a gift from Mrs. Jane Price to the people of St. James. It honors the heritage of this church and is a tribute to the generosity of Ethel Granger Schultz and her family.
Our Ministries
Altar Guild
The ministry of the Altar Guild is an opportunity for our members to faithfully serve the parish to the Glory of God through the loving care of the altar and its appointments, the vessels, vestments, linens, candles, and special decorations which adorn and enhance the beauty of our worship here. In addition to setting up for the Sunday liturgies, the Guild also lovingly cares for the linens, cleans and stores the vessels, and does special set-ups for weddings, funerals, and holy days as needed. The regard that we have for our church and its worship tradition is often expressed by the care given to its furnishings. It is truly a labor of love. If interested in helping contact Susan Benson
Episcopal Church Women
The ECW supports St. James in multiple ways, proving both financial and service support initiating a variety of projects. These projects are funded through the Shrove Tuesday Dinners, traditionally one of the biggest events of the year. If interested, please contact Janet Stewart
Friendship Dinner Committee
The Friendship Dinner is a parish-wide ministry involving virtually everyone in the congregation helping in one way or another. We are reaching out to people in our community who simply exist day to day. Some are unemployed, some are “working poor” who have families to support. It can be hard to make ends meet, especially at the end of the month. A good, nutritious meal served with warmth and understanding is appreciated. It is a gift that is easy to give. Support for the dinner comes from members of the congregation with help from a grant by the Episcopal Community Services Foundation. Dinners are offered, free of charge, on the last Saturday of every month in the Undercroft. Sign-up sheets for helpers are posted in the undercroft. Donations may be made by sending a check to the church marked “Friendship Dinner”. If interested in helping contact Susan Benson
Layweeders
LayWeeders is a group of dedicated gardeners who maintain the beautiful Memorial Garden next to the church. They do spring and fall plantings; lawn seeding and feeding; as well as garden care and maintenance. If interested in helping contact Tom and Dianne Ischy
Pastoral Care Committee
The Pastoral Care Committee helps to bridge the gap between our active membership and those who are home bound, hospitalized or who reside in assisted living or rest homes. If interested in helping contact Marilyn Knell
Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun, and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others. If interested, please contact Renée Spiker.
Faithful Men
Our Faithful Men’s group participate in not only furthering their own personal journeys but provide outreach to others through support of the Family Dependency Court and community picnics. In interested in joining please contact Lee Dayton
Lectors/Chalicers/Acolytes/Ushers
Those who volunteers for these services provide a critical part of the liturgy each Sunday. If interested in volunteering, please contact Barbara Saunders.
Hospitality
Our Hospitality committee is a vital part of the St. James’ community. This group provides comfort meals for families after funerals, provide meals during special events and assist in making St. James a warm and welcoming place. If interested contact Janet Stewart.
Altar Guild
The ministry of the Altar Guild is an opportunity for our members to faithfully serve the parish to the Glory of God through the loving care of the altar and its appointments, the vessels, vestments, linens, candles, and special decorations which adorn and enhance the beauty of our worship here. In addition to setting up for the Sunday liturgies, the Guild also lovingly cares for the linens, cleans and stores the vessels, and does special set-ups for weddings, funerals, and holy days as needed. The regard that we have for our church and its worship tradition is often expressed by the care given to its furnishings. It is truly a labor of love. If interested in helping contact Susan Benson
Episcopal Church Women
The ECW supports St. James in multiple ways, proving both financial and service support initiating a variety of projects. These projects are funded through the Shrove Tuesday Dinners, traditionally one of the biggest events of the year. If interested, please contact Janet Stewart
Friendship Dinner Committee
The Friendship Dinner is a parish-wide ministry involving virtually everyone in the congregation helping in one way or another. We are reaching out to people in our community who simply exist day to day. Some are unemployed, some are “working poor” who have families to support. It can be hard to make ends meet, especially at the end of the month. A good, nutritious meal served with warmth and understanding is appreciated. It is a gift that is easy to give. Support for the dinner comes from members of the congregation with help from a grant by the Episcopal Community Services Foundation. Dinners are offered, free of charge, on the last Saturday of every month in the Undercroft. Sign-up sheets for helpers are posted in the undercroft. Donations may be made by sending a check to the church marked “Friendship Dinner”. If interested in helping contact Susan Benson
Layweeders
LayWeeders is a group of dedicated gardeners who maintain the beautiful Memorial Garden next to the church. They do spring and fall plantings; lawn seeding and feeding; as well as garden care and maintenance. If interested in helping contact Tom and Dianne Ischy
Pastoral Care Committee
The Pastoral Care Committee helps to bridge the gap between our active membership and those who are home bound, hospitalized or who reside in assisted living or rest homes. If interested in helping contact Marilyn Knell
Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun, and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others. If interested, please contact Renée Spiker.
Faithful Men
Our Faithful Men’s group participate in not only furthering their own personal journeys but provide outreach to others through support of the Family Dependency Court and community picnics. In interested in joining please contact Lee Dayton
Lectors/Chalicers/Acolytes/Ushers
Those who volunteers for these services provide a critical part of the liturgy each Sunday. If interested in volunteering, please contact Barbara Saunders.
Hospitality
Our Hospitality committee is a vital part of the St. James’ community. This group provides comfort meals for families after funerals, provide meals during special events and assist in making St. James a warm and welcoming place. If interested contact Janet Stewart.